below is a report from the ny times today describing a conference currently being held in iran. call me naive but i am gobsmacked if not flabbergasted that there are people out there who truly believe that the shoah is a myth. where did all my relatives go? o, apparently they all died of typhus, like my uncle bubi who must have caught the disease just before they kicked away the chair and the rope tightened about his neck.
nu - is there anything that can be done about this? ok so maybe you don't care so much about the jews; but if these guys succeed, who is next?
"TEHRAN, Dec. 11 — Holocaust deniers and skeptics from around the world gathered at a government-sponsored conference here today to discuss their theories about whether six million Jews were indeed killed by the Nazis during World War II and whether gas chambers existed. In a speech opening the two-day conference, Rasoul Mousavi, head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Institute for Political and International Studies, which organized the event, said it was an opportunity for scholars to discuss the subject “away from Western taboos and the restriction imposed on them in Europe.”
The foreign ministry had said that 67 foreign researchers from 30 countries were scheduled to take part. Among those speaking today are David Duke, the American white-supremacist politician and former Ku Klux Klan leader, and Georges Thiel, a French writer who has been prosecuted in France over his denials of the Holocaust. Mr. Duke’s remarks late this afternoon are expected to assert that no gas chambers or extermination camps were actually built during the war, on the ground that killing Jews that way would have been much too bothersome and expensive when the Nazis could have used much simpler methods, according to an advance summary of his speech published by the institute. “Depicting Jews as the overwhelming victims of the Holocaust gave the moral high ground to the Allies as victors of the war, and allowed Jews to establish a state on the occupied land of Palestine,” Mr. Duke’s paper says, according to the summary. One of the first scheduled speakers, Robert Faurisson of France, also called the Holocaust a myth created to justify the occupation of Palestine.
The conference is being held at the behest of Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who likewise called the Holocaust a myth last year, and repeated a well-known slogan from the early days of the 1979 revolution in Iran, “Israel must be wiped off the map.” He has spoken several times since then about a need to establish whether the Holocaust actually happened.
Most of the speakers at the conference today praised Mr. Ahmadinejad’s comments.
Bendikt Frings, 48, a psychologist from Germany, said he believed Mr. Ahmadinejad was “an honest direct man,” and said he had come to the conference to thank him for what he had initiated. “We are forbidden to have such a conference in Germany,” he said. “ All my childhood, we waited for something like this.” Toben Feredrick, from Australia, said Mr. Ahmadinejad has opened an issue “which is morally and intellectually crippling the Western society.” “People are imprisoned in Germany for denying the Holocaust,” he added. Mr. Feredrick said he was jailed for six months in 1999 because of his ideas, and that a court in Germany has ordered him arrested if he speaks out publicly again denying that the Holocaust took place.
Other Western “revisionists” presented what they called new facts about the Holocaust at the conference, which also attracted attendees from some ultra-Orthodox Jews belonging to anti-Zionist sects that reject the state of Israel. One participant wearing the traditional long black coat and hat of such groups wore a badge saying: “A Jew, not a Zionist.”
It was not entirely clear how the lineup of speakers at the conference was set. The Institute’s website had invited scholars and researchers to submit papers in advance for consideration, but revealed little about how they were evaluated. The Iranian foreign ministry also provided little information about participants, saying that it feared they would be prosecuted by their home countries.
The conference included an exhibition today of various photos, posters and other material meant to contradict the accepted version of events, that the Nazis murdered millions of Jews and other “undesirables” in death camps during the war. New captions in Persian on some familiar photos of corpses at the camps argued that they were victims of typhus, not the German state. Anti-Zionist literature, including a 2004 book by the American author Michael Collins Piper, about Zionist influence in America, was offered for sale to visitors at the conference. So, apparently, was a video recording of 12 Holocaust survivors telling their stories, suggesting that the views represented at the conference may not have been entirely one-sided.
The conference prompted outrage in the West. The German government summoned the Iranian charge d’affaires in Berlin to complain. The French Foreign Minister, Philippe Douste-Blazy, warned that the conference would be strongly condemned if it propagated claims denying the Holocaust.
Iran also organized an exhibition last summer of cartoons about the Holocaust, which outraged Jews inside Iran and out.
Iranian Jewish leaders reacted angrily to Mr. Ahmadinejad’s Holocaust-denying comments last year, issuing a statement saying that his words were spreading fear among Jews in Iran. “We consider the Holocaust as a fact and a disgrace for humanity,” Haround Yashayai, a leading voice among Iranian Jews, said today. “We cannot say that such a conference cannot be held here. We have condemned similar events in the past, and see no reason to condemn it again.”"
Monday, December 11, 2006
condoms 'too big' for indian men
i wonder how many hits this title will get just for the word 'condom'? this story is currently one of the top 5 e-mailed on the bbc website, along with the death of general pinochet and kate winslet speaking out against zero-size women.
here are some snips from the article:
"A survey of more than 1,000 men in India has concluded that condoms made according to international sizes are too large for a majority of Indian men. The study found that more than half of the men measured had penises that were shorter than international standards for condoms. It has led to a call for condoms of mixed sizes to be made more widely available in India. The two-year study was carried out by the Indian Council of Medical Research. Over 1,200 volunteers from the length and breadth of the country had their penises measured precisely, down to the last millimetre. The scientists even checked their sample was representative of India as a whole in terms of class, religion and urban and rural dwellers."
interesting to consider the priorities for allocation of research funds, eh? but let's not be too judgemental, ok, for buried somewhere in the middle of the article is this:
"And the country already has the highest number of HIV infections of any nation."
nevertheless, it is clear what the point of it all is:
"Indian men need not be concerned about measuring up internationally according to Sunil Mehra, the former editor of the Indian version of the men's magazine Maxim. "It's not size, it's what you do with it that matters," he said. "From our population, the evidence is Indians are doing pretty well."
where is sarah silverman when you need her?
here are some snips from the article:
"A survey of more than 1,000 men in India has concluded that condoms made according to international sizes are too large for a majority of Indian men. The study found that more than half of the men measured had penises that were shorter than international standards for condoms. It has led to a call for condoms of mixed sizes to be made more widely available in India. The two-year study was carried out by the Indian Council of Medical Research. Over 1,200 volunteers from the length and breadth of the country had their penises measured precisely, down to the last millimetre. The scientists even checked their sample was representative of India as a whole in terms of class, religion and urban and rural dwellers."
interesting to consider the priorities for allocation of research funds, eh? but let's not be too judgemental, ok, for buried somewhere in the middle of the article is this:
"And the country already has the highest number of HIV infections of any nation."
nevertheless, it is clear what the point of it all is:
"Indian men need not be concerned about measuring up internationally according to Sunil Mehra, the former editor of the Indian version of the men's magazine Maxim. "It's not size, it's what you do with it that matters," he said. "From our population, the evidence is Indians are doing pretty well."
where is sarah silverman when you need her?
Sunday, December 10, 2006
more ronaldinho (can't help lovin' dat man)
qpr just lost another game, which makes four in a row. meanwhile, ronaldinho continues to show his critics that he's not past it at all. here is a brilliant free kick in the champions league match vs werder bremen last week. the guys in the wall always jump in the air to try and block the ball. so what does ronaldinho do? he sends a daisy cutter along the ground, right under where they all were just standing!
goooooooool!
goooooooool!
Saturday, December 09, 2006
buffy is back!
well, sort of. joss whedon is planning a comic book version for season 8, according to this interview in tv guide.
i think it is a particularly american kind of economic pressure to drag out or resuscitate a successful programme. doing it in comic-book form is an interesting way to go, and i will be checking it out like the others in the buffysphere. generally, though, and with buffy in particular, i feel these successes should be left to rest in peace.
i think it is a particularly american kind of economic pressure to drag out or resuscitate a successful programme. doing it in comic-book form is an interesting way to go, and i will be checking it out like the others in the buffysphere. generally, though, and with buffy in particular, i feel these successes should be left to rest in peace.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
a little teshuvah from the conservative movement
the latest news from the conservative movement of judaism in the usa is that it has accepted a teshuvah permitting same-sex ceremonies and the ordination of lesbian/gay people.
WOW!
&
HURRAH!!
a perspective from ha-aretz newspaper as an early response:
"Rosner's Blog
Shmuel Rosner Chief U.S. Correspondent
The abomination debate: Jewish conservatives on the verge of a new era
Twenty-five Conservative rabbis began a thorny debate yesterday on the place of homosexuals in their movement. The debate will continue today, in the hopes of reaching a decision, but regardless, a press conference has been called for noon. Rabbi Joel Meyers, executive vice president of the Rabbinical Assembly, said he finds it hard to believe that a decision will once again be postponed, as it was when the assembly first discussed the issue several months ago. The rabbis must decide: Can homosexuals become Conservative rabbis and cantors? Can Conservative rabbis conduct same-sex commitment ceremonies? (Update: the Movement's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards allowed the Movement's seminaries to ordain openly gay and lesbian rabbis and cantors)
The Conservative Movement - once the largest Jewish movement in America, but now steadily shrinking - has been debating the issue for some time. In 1992, it rejected proposals for homosexual equality, but since then, the pressure has intensified. The problem, explained one Rabbinical Assembly member, is how to explain rabbinic decisions to Conservative laymen, many of whom "don't understand the halakhic issues involved. They live in a liberal society, and they simply want us to change the laws, just as America changed its laws to give homosexuals equal rights."
Anne Kaiser is one of those who favor such a change. Not that she wants to be a rabbi - she likes her job as a Maryland state legislator, to which she was reelected last month as an avowed lesbian. And she said that her rabbi gave her to understand that she and her partner could hold a commitment ceremony in the synagogue, regardless. Nevertheless, she would like to see it official.
For opponents, however, such a radical break with tradition is not only unacceptable, it could also even be grounds for leaving the movement. This is the most divisive debate the movement has experienced since its debate 30 years ago over equality for women.
Rabbi Joel Roth, who formulated the movement's 1992 opinion against any change in the status of homosexuals, said at the time he simply could not identify any halakhic loophole that would permit such a change - and because the Conservative Movement defines itself as a halakhic movement, such a decision would require some basis in the religious sources.
"An inability to legitimate homosexuality halakhically makes no negative claim whatsoever about the humanity, sanctity, worth and dignity of homosexuals," he stressed in a lecture on the subject. But the Torah's blunt statement on homosexual relations - that a man lying with another man as he would lie with a woman is an "abomination" (Leviticus 18:22) - leaves no wriggle room, say Roth's adherents.
The Rabbinical Assembly's Committee on Jewish Laws and Standards that will vote today in New York, however, is not that of 1992: Only nine of its 25 members are the same. Meyers said the current committee maintains a balance between "liberals" and "conservatives," but acknowledged that the generational change might also have changed the meaning of these terms, which in turn could result in a different outcome at today's vote.
Opponents of Roth's view argue that the Torah prohibition, as well as subsequent rulings by the rabbis, related to a different time and a different type of homosexuality. The Torah, they say, banned what existed then, but could not have banned today's homosexuality, because the current incarnation of same-sex relations is an invention of the modern world.
"Sex, in antiquity, was an activity, not an orientation," explained Rabbi Bradley Artson, one of the advocates of this view. "The meaning of the activity was determined by its context. In the case of same gender sex, that context was always one that treated a human being as an object, or [one] of oppression." And that, he argues, differs from today's model of consensual, caring, same-sex relationships.
"The rabbis were never at a loss for ways to transform or circumvent a biblical institution when later on it came to be viewed as ethically unjustifiable," added Rabbi Howard Handler.
Five different rabbinical opinions have been submitted to the committee for consideration, ranging from no change through limited rights to complete equality for homosexuals. This gives the panel some room to maneuver, and the prevailing view is that it will opt for a compromise: It will adopt one opinion that forbids homosexual ordination and same-sex commitment ceremonies, and another that permits them.
The rules make such an outcome possible: The committee requires a majority of 13 to adopt a binding ruling, but only six votes in favor are needed to adopt a "responsum" - defined as one possible interpretation of a halakhic issue, but not the only one. Thus the committee is widely expected to adopt two contradictory responsa but no binding ruling. That way, each Conservative congregation could decide for itself. "
a slightly later report from the houston chronicle has more details:
"Conservative Jewish leaders ease gay rabbi ban
Three differing policies leave the final decision to local synagogues
By RACHEL ZOLL
Associated Press
NEW YORK — A panel of rabbis gave permission Wednesday for same-sex commitment ceremonies and ordination of gays within Conservative Judaism, a wrenching change for a movement that occupies the middle ground between orthodoxy and liberalism in Judaism.
The complicated decision by the Conservatives Movement's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards leaves it up to individual seminaries whether to ordain gay rabbis and gives individual rabbis the option of sanctioning same-sex unions.
Like many Protestant denominations, Conservative Jews are divided over homosexuality: torn between the Hebrew scriptures' condemnation of it as an "abomination" and a desire to encourage same-sex couples to form long-lasting, monogamous relationships.
Reform Judaism, the largest branch of the faith in the U.S., has ordained gay men and lesbians since 1990 and has allowed rabbis to perform same-sex commitment ceremonies since 2000. Orthodox Judaism does not countenance same-sex unions or the ordination of gays.
After years of discussion and two days of intense debate behind closed doors at a synagogue on Park Avenue, the law committee accepted three teshuvot, or answers, to the question of whether Jewish law allows homosexual sex. Two answers uphold the status quo, forbidding homosexuality.
But a third allows same-sex ceremonies and ordination of gay men and lesbians, while maintaining a ban on anal sex.
Four of the law committee's 25 members resigned in protest of the decision.
It takes the votes of six panel members to declare an answer to be valid. Thirteen members voted in favor of allowing gay ordination and same-sex ceremonies, and 13 voted against — meaning that at least one rabbi voted for both positions."
WOW!
&
HURRAH!!
a perspective from ha-aretz newspaper as an early response:
"Rosner's Blog
Shmuel Rosner Chief U.S. Correspondent
The abomination debate: Jewish conservatives on the verge of a new era
Twenty-five Conservative rabbis began a thorny debate yesterday on the place of homosexuals in their movement. The debate will continue today, in the hopes of reaching a decision, but regardless, a press conference has been called for noon. Rabbi Joel Meyers, executive vice president of the Rabbinical Assembly, said he finds it hard to believe that a decision will once again be postponed, as it was when the assembly first discussed the issue several months ago. The rabbis must decide: Can homosexuals become Conservative rabbis and cantors? Can Conservative rabbis conduct same-sex commitment ceremonies? (Update: the Movement's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards allowed the Movement's seminaries to ordain openly gay and lesbian rabbis and cantors)
The Conservative Movement - once the largest Jewish movement in America, but now steadily shrinking - has been debating the issue for some time. In 1992, it rejected proposals for homosexual equality, but since then, the pressure has intensified. The problem, explained one Rabbinical Assembly member, is how to explain rabbinic decisions to Conservative laymen, many of whom "don't understand the halakhic issues involved. They live in a liberal society, and they simply want us to change the laws, just as America changed its laws to give homosexuals equal rights."
Anne Kaiser is one of those who favor such a change. Not that she wants to be a rabbi - she likes her job as a Maryland state legislator, to which she was reelected last month as an avowed lesbian. And she said that her rabbi gave her to understand that she and her partner could hold a commitment ceremony in the synagogue, regardless. Nevertheless, she would like to see it official.
For opponents, however, such a radical break with tradition is not only unacceptable, it could also even be grounds for leaving the movement. This is the most divisive debate the movement has experienced since its debate 30 years ago over equality for women.
Rabbi Joel Roth, who formulated the movement's 1992 opinion against any change in the status of homosexuals, said at the time he simply could not identify any halakhic loophole that would permit such a change - and because the Conservative Movement defines itself as a halakhic movement, such a decision would require some basis in the religious sources.
"An inability to legitimate homosexuality halakhically makes no negative claim whatsoever about the humanity, sanctity, worth and dignity of homosexuals," he stressed in a lecture on the subject. But the Torah's blunt statement on homosexual relations - that a man lying with another man as he would lie with a woman is an "abomination" (Leviticus 18:22) - leaves no wriggle room, say Roth's adherents.
The Rabbinical Assembly's Committee on Jewish Laws and Standards that will vote today in New York, however, is not that of 1992: Only nine of its 25 members are the same. Meyers said the current committee maintains a balance between "liberals" and "conservatives," but acknowledged that the generational change might also have changed the meaning of these terms, which in turn could result in a different outcome at today's vote.
Opponents of Roth's view argue that the Torah prohibition, as well as subsequent rulings by the rabbis, related to a different time and a different type of homosexuality. The Torah, they say, banned what existed then, but could not have banned today's homosexuality, because the current incarnation of same-sex relations is an invention of the modern world.
"Sex, in antiquity, was an activity, not an orientation," explained Rabbi Bradley Artson, one of the advocates of this view. "The meaning of the activity was determined by its context. In the case of same gender sex, that context was always one that treated a human being as an object, or [one] of oppression." And that, he argues, differs from today's model of consensual, caring, same-sex relationships.
"The rabbis were never at a loss for ways to transform or circumvent a biblical institution when later on it came to be viewed as ethically unjustifiable," added Rabbi Howard Handler.
Five different rabbinical opinions have been submitted to the committee for consideration, ranging from no change through limited rights to complete equality for homosexuals. This gives the panel some room to maneuver, and the prevailing view is that it will opt for a compromise: It will adopt one opinion that forbids homosexual ordination and same-sex commitment ceremonies, and another that permits them.
The rules make such an outcome possible: The committee requires a majority of 13 to adopt a binding ruling, but only six votes in favor are needed to adopt a "responsum" - defined as one possible interpretation of a halakhic issue, but not the only one. Thus the committee is widely expected to adopt two contradictory responsa but no binding ruling. That way, each Conservative congregation could decide for itself. "
a slightly later report from the houston chronicle has more details:
"Conservative Jewish leaders ease gay rabbi ban
Three differing policies leave the final decision to local synagogues
By RACHEL ZOLL
Associated Press
NEW YORK — A panel of rabbis gave permission Wednesday for same-sex commitment ceremonies and ordination of gays within Conservative Judaism, a wrenching change for a movement that occupies the middle ground between orthodoxy and liberalism in Judaism.
The complicated decision by the Conservatives Movement's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards leaves it up to individual seminaries whether to ordain gay rabbis and gives individual rabbis the option of sanctioning same-sex unions.
Like many Protestant denominations, Conservative Jews are divided over homosexuality: torn between the Hebrew scriptures' condemnation of it as an "abomination" and a desire to encourage same-sex couples to form long-lasting, monogamous relationships.
Reform Judaism, the largest branch of the faith in the U.S., has ordained gay men and lesbians since 1990 and has allowed rabbis to perform same-sex commitment ceremonies since 2000. Orthodox Judaism does not countenance same-sex unions or the ordination of gays.
After years of discussion and two days of intense debate behind closed doors at a synagogue on Park Avenue, the law committee accepted three teshuvot, or answers, to the question of whether Jewish law allows homosexual sex. Two answers uphold the status quo, forbidding homosexuality.
But a third allows same-sex ceremonies and ordination of gay men and lesbians, while maintaining a ban on anal sex.
Four of the law committee's 25 members resigned in protest of the decision.
It takes the votes of six panel members to declare an answer to be valid. Thirteen members voted in favor of allowing gay ordination and same-sex ceremonies, and 13 voted against — meaning that at least one rabbi voted for both positions."
thursday thirteen meme ii
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1. The Philadelphia Story - opening scene when Hepburn breaks the golf club over her knee and Grant goes to punch her then pushes her over. Next frame says: Three Years Later. 2. Tootsie - Bill Murray saying to Dustin Hoffman "You slut!" 3. On the Town - seeing from behind a blonde little moptop and her mother going down the stairs and she says "I don't wanna look like Margaret O'Brien!" 4. Dangerous Liaisons - when Michelle Pfeiffer first gives in and Malkovich doesn't take advantage. 5. The Big Chill - the morning after montage 6. Bringing Up Baby - what else but the dinosaur collapsing 7. Love and Death - the dance with death through the trees under the end titles 8. To Be or Not to Be (1942) - when Colonel Erhardt visits Lombard at the end and bumps into Hitler at her apartment 9. The Man Who Came to Dinner - all the attacks upon Miss Preen leading up to her leaving to work in a munitions factory (honourable mention to the penguins) 10. Notorious - Ingrid Bergman's first view of Cary Grant upside-down in a doorway 11. Trouble in Paradise - at the end in the taxicab when Herbert Marshall & Miriam Hopkins realise they have both stolen from each other 12. His Girl Friday - Mother disappearing over the gentleman's shoulder and heading who knows where 13. Kiss Me Kate - Ann Miller singing 'Tom Dick or Harry', and dancing of course! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) |
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Wednesday, December 06, 2006
more on george's pig
i am sorry i cannot help myself - this is from today's independent newspaper:
"Max was famous enough in his own right, in fact, to generate a hoax story of his death at the beginning of last year. Clooney himself hasn't been shy to discuss his pet's character defects. "He's eating his way through life," he cheerily admitted in one interview. "I'd put him on a diet, but he screams like hell if he's not able to stuff himself the way he likes it." Occasionally, all that squealing can come in handy, like the early morning hours of 16 January 1994, when the Northridge earthquake shook most of Los Angeles, prompting shortlived but very real fears that the Big One had struck.
As Clooney recounted it: "Max was in bed with me and woke up minutes before it happened. And I was yelling at him for waking me up, when everything just exploded. So, I'm naked with Max, and running ... because I'm in a house on a hill, and if it's going down I want to be up on the street, dodging the next house.
"My buddy, who lives in the downstairs guesthouse, comes running up. And he's naked. With a gun, because he thought someone was breaking in. And I'm trying to write a note to my folks, trying to explain to them in case we die that it's not what is seems: two naked men, a gun and a pig.""
"Max was famous enough in his own right, in fact, to generate a hoax story of his death at the beginning of last year. Clooney himself hasn't been shy to discuss his pet's character defects. "He's eating his way through life," he cheerily admitted in one interview. "I'd put him on a diet, but he screams like hell if he's not able to stuff himself the way he likes it." Occasionally, all that squealing can come in handy, like the early morning hours of 16 January 1994, when the Northridge earthquake shook most of Los Angeles, prompting shortlived but very real fears that the Big One had struck.
As Clooney recounted it: "Max was in bed with me and woke up minutes before it happened. And I was yelling at him for waking me up, when everything just exploded. So, I'm naked with Max, and running ... because I'm in a house on a hill, and if it's going down I want to be up on the street, dodging the next house.
"My buddy, who lives in the downstairs guesthouse, comes running up. And he's naked. With a gun, because he thought someone was breaking in. And I'm trying to write a note to my folks, trying to explain to them in case we die that it's not what is seems: two naked men, a gun and a pig.""
ronaldinho
one of the best goals in a very long time - ronaldinho scores barca's 4th vs villareal. here it is from every possible angle. the commentary is not in a language that i understand, but with or without it, the screen tells the tale:
gooooooooooooooooool!
gooooooooooooooooool!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
w.r.p. george r.i.p.
obit of the week from the telegraph for me - william richard philip george, nephew of david lloyd george, who died recently at the age of 94. recalling the era when his uncle was prime minister, the telegraph notes:
"... many of young William's earliest memories were of visits to his uncle. He recalled kicking a ball around in the walled garden at the back of No 10 Downing Street, and getting stuck in the lift, from which he had to be rescued, to his embarrassment, by his uncle and members of the cabinet. On a visit to Chequers, aged eight, he was bitten on the ankle by a guard dog and needed medical treatment after the wound became infected. He recalled being driven with his uncle through cheering crowds to Downing Street at the end of the First World War."
mr. george was a former archdruid of wales.
"... many of young William's earliest memories were of visits to his uncle. He recalled kicking a ball around in the walled garden at the back of No 10 Downing Street, and getting stuck in the lift, from which he had to be rescued, to his embarrassment, by his uncle and members of the cabinet. On a visit to Chequers, aged eight, he was bitten on the ankle by a guard dog and needed medical treatment after the wound became infected. He recalled being driven with his uncle through cheering crowds to Downing Street at the end of the First World War."
mr. george was a former archdruid of wales.
potbellied pigs
as a person with some passing interest in pigs, i noticed recently a report that george clooney's pet potbelly pig, max, had died at the ripe old age of 19. further investigation of this news led me to the pigs4ever website, where i found the following important advertisements fyi:
"Bulky Lax Plus
An extremely high source of fiber. A high quality source of necessary vitamins. Keeps stool in good condition. To be fed as a supplement on all feeds.
Reduces likelihood of aggressive pigs. (Those that want to nip and snip.) Pigs4Ever.com has used this particular product for years, particularly in the winter when our pigs do not get much exercise. It helps in keeping them regular.
Elder-Aide GM
For pigs that are suffering from: loss of memory, loss of hearing, poor muscle tone, un-thriftiness, alertness, arthritic conditions and general pain and discomfort.
We have combined ELDER-AIDE, GLUCOSAMINE, AND MSM, three of the best pain relief remedies available for pet pigs today, and established the best over-all pet pig pain product.
The first all-natural biological source of vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes, digestive bacteria, yeast culture, yucca shidigera extract, along with Glucosamine, and MSM, ELDER-AIDE-GM will provide significant relief, or totally eliminate stiff and painful joints, usually within 10 days."
i have just spent a couple of minutes wondering how one can tell if a pig has lost his/her memory, and what exactly is 'un-thriftiness'?
"Bulky Lax Plus
An extremely high source of fiber. A high quality source of necessary vitamins. Keeps stool in good condition. To be fed as a supplement on all feeds.
Reduces likelihood of aggressive pigs. (Those that want to nip and snip.) Pigs4Ever.com has used this particular product for years, particularly in the winter when our pigs do not get much exercise. It helps in keeping them regular.
Elder-Aide GM
For pigs that are suffering from: loss of memory, loss of hearing, poor muscle tone, un-thriftiness, alertness, arthritic conditions and general pain and discomfort.
We have combined ELDER-AIDE, GLUCOSAMINE, AND MSM, three of the best pain relief remedies available for pet pigs today, and established the best over-all pet pig pain product.
The first all-natural biological source of vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes, digestive bacteria, yeast culture, yucca shidigera extract, along with Glucosamine, and MSM, ELDER-AIDE-GM will provide significant relief, or totally eliminate stiff and painful joints, usually within 10 days."
i have just spent a couple of minutes wondering how one can tell if a pig has lost his/her memory, and what exactly is 'un-thriftiness'?
harry potter auf deutsch!
the day after coming back from a trip always seems rather long and tiring, even though there are still a couple of things left in the suitcase waiting to be put away. england look like they are throwing away the second test in adelaide, and i needed something with which to amuse myself. hence this trailer for next year's 'order of the phoenix' film:
ps sorry about the non-hp stuff at the end - lifted clip from youtube as-is.
ps sorry about the non-hp stuff at the end - lifted clip from youtube as-is.
mobile phones
had a lovely few hours in the mall today. i went to the verizon shop to get a new battery, since my phone cannot stay awake for more than 60 minutes. i bought it only 2 years ago, and it has served me well.
the gentleman in the verizon shop gave me the following advice: you can buy a new battery for $40, or you can sign up for 2 more years, and then you can have any new phone in the store for up to $150 absolutely free, if you pay $50 and then get a rebate. well, a free, fancier phone - or a forty-dollar battery and an old battered phone. no brainer, right?
i did get the new phone. unfortunately, while it came with a home charger, the old car charger that i had bought for the old phone would not work with the new phone. if i were to buy a new charger, it would work with the old phone, although that phone would be deactivated once i bought the new one. but it would only be $29.99 plus tax for a new one.
i did get the charger as well. after all, it only cost me 2 more years of verizonitude, and about $80. great deal, eh?
the gentleman in the verizon shop gave me the following advice: you can buy a new battery for $40, or you can sign up for 2 more years, and then you can have any new phone in the store for up to $150 absolutely free, if you pay $50 and then get a rebate. well, a free, fancier phone - or a forty-dollar battery and an old battered phone. no brainer, right?
i did get the new phone. unfortunately, while it came with a home charger, the old car charger that i had bought for the old phone would not work with the new phone. if i were to buy a new charger, it would work with the old phone, although that phone would be deactivated once i bought the new one. but it would only be $29.99 plus tax for a new one.
i did get the charger as well. after all, it only cost me 2 more years of verizonitude, and about $80. great deal, eh?
Monday, December 04, 2006
a view from the art institute
it's funny how physical reality fades in memory even if your mind knows what it should be like. what am i going on about? i know quite a bit about the architecture of chicago, at least i'm supposed to since i studied it at university and also have a book about it from paula dietz. i have been to chicago quite a few times, and looked at lots of buildings. nevertheless, the other day, standing in the first nipple-crumbling cold of winter, i saw this view. the intensity of seeing it in person was quite surprising. it's not that it is so particularly amazing ... i was just struck by the variety of styles in such proximity. my kind of town :-)
Saturday, December 02, 2006
chicago visit
here is piglet facing a sculpture outside the art institute of chicago. i was mostly in evanston and skokie, with the final morning in the city.
the focus of my visit was my new best friend noa who turned 3 yesterday. we had such a good time together, singing 'old macdonald' 23 times (and wondering why there were no pandas on the farm), and playing house, and airport, and reading books about maisie, and going to the museum for the very first time. we are terribly proud of noa, because when she saw the monet painting of the bridge with the lilies, she recognised it. 'the book in the bathroom!' she cried.
the focus of my visit was my new best friend noa who turned 3 yesterday. we had such a good time together, singing 'old macdonald' 23 times (and wondering why there were no pandas on the farm), and playing house, and airport, and reading books about maisie, and going to the museum for the very first time. we are terribly proud of noa, because when she saw the monet painting of the bridge with the lilies, she recognised it. 'the book in the bathroom!' she cried.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
not the best sporting weekend so far
alas, qpr just went down 0-1 at home to coventry, and piglet has a better chance of succeeding in australia than the england cricketers.
all of this seems strangely far away as i sit in an office in a small wisconsin town. it is rather warm here, although they threaten snow on thursday. everything in this neighbourhood is quite charming - the sun shines on myriad protestant churches built of light-coloured stones, and there are no people of colour or anybody who may be poor to be seen on these streets. actually there are no people on the streets at all at the moment, probably because they are all circling the mall trying to find parking places.
piglet will visit chicago for a few days next week, where he hopes to discover the truth about mrs o'leary's cow, and pursue his interest in sumo wrestling.
all of this seems strangely far away as i sit in an office in a small wisconsin town. it is rather warm here, although they threaten snow on thursday. everything in this neighbourhood is quite charming - the sun shines on myriad protestant churches built of light-coloured stones, and there are no people of colour or anybody who may be poor to be seen on these streets. actually there are no people on the streets at all at the moment, probably because they are all circling the mall trying to find parking places.
piglet will visit chicago for a few days next week, where he hopes to discover the truth about mrs o'leary's cow, and pursue his interest in sumo wrestling.
Monday, November 20, 2006
not a candidate for 'thought for the day'
from my commonplace book:
Coda
by Dorothy Parker
There's little in taking or giving,
There's little in water or wine;
This living, this living, this living
Was never a project of mine.
Oh, hard is the struggle, and sparse is
The gain of the one at the top,
For art is a form of carharsis
And love is a permanent flop,
And work is the province of cattle,
And rest's for a clam in a shell,
So I'm thinking of throwing the battle -
Would you kindly direct me to Hell?
Coda
by Dorothy Parker
There's little in taking or giving,
There's little in water or wine;
This living, this living, this living
Was never a project of mine.
Oh, hard is the struggle, and sparse is
The gain of the one at the top,
For art is a form of carharsis
And love is a permanent flop,
And work is the province of cattle,
And rest's for a clam in a shell,
So I'm thinking of throwing the battle -
Would you kindly direct me to Hell?
the pic for which i was waiting
here is a shot of ray jones actually scoring that winning goal against cardiff on friday. hear me chortle.
hush my inner critic!
i am so behind the target number of words for the na na nee nee writing competition. i have decided i can no longer claim to be writing a novel, but perhaps what is left may become a novella. here is another tiny excerpt, describing the streetcar ride to the old jewish cemetery in berlin.
"The cemetery was way out on the eastern side of the city. Rafi took the train to Haeckische Markt, and then went to find the tram stop. She punched her ticket again on her way in, just to make sure, and found a seat. Although it was the end of October, the weather was unseasonably warm. However, the person in charge of the heating system for the carriage had not taken this fact into account, and hot air blasted from a vent beside Rafi’s right knee. Another passenger leaned over her to open a window, and caught her eye. They smiled, and Rafi reached for her purple bandana. To take her mind off her discomfort, she looked out of the window. It was not long before the construction sites and modern superstructures of the centre of Berlin gave way to the East that she remembered. The buildings were old and pockmarked. People always said the holes were made by Russian bullets back in 1945, and maybe some of them were. Rafi felt a general air of apathy, and thought that many of the houses were just crumbling from neglect. The tram passed a small green area, and at its centre was a giant bust of Lenin, gazing unsmilingly at the passers-by. People on the street were wearing drab colours, and seemed to lack the forward drive that propelled pedestrians on the streets of London or New York. Many of the shops along the way had posters announcing bargains for that week, and most of the shops were either video stores or shoe shops. There were no Starbucks, no Macdonalds, no Dunkin Donuts to be seen. In the early 1980’s, Rafi had spent a couple of days in East Berlin. A memory of that visit suddenly came to mind. It was about a piece of chocolate that she had bought there. As she walked down Unter den Linden, admiring the Prussian architecture that reminded her of her grandfather, she began to eat the chocolate. It tasted like sawdust, and she spat it out. The next day, she found some of it still in her pocket, and tried it again. It didn’t taste so bad this time. She supposed that if it was all there was, one could get used to it after a while. The people on the street looked as if sawdust-flavoured chocolate would be a big treat for them.
Rafi pulled the cord and waited for the streetcar to stop. She stepped down onto the pavement and crossed onto the shady side of the main street. She turned left into Herbert-Baum Strasse, and began to walk up the hill. The road was lined by two rows of tall trees, and when Rafi looked at the leaves on the ground to see if she might identify the type of trees they were, she was delighted to find the ground covered with conkers. She picked a few, and continued up the slope, examining each chestnut to see if it had the pattern and shininess that gave her pleasure. She cast the losers back to the pavement, and pocketed the rest."
"The cemetery was way out on the eastern side of the city. Rafi took the train to Haeckische Markt, and then went to find the tram stop. She punched her ticket again on her way in, just to make sure, and found a seat. Although it was the end of October, the weather was unseasonably warm. However, the person in charge of the heating system for the carriage had not taken this fact into account, and hot air blasted from a vent beside Rafi’s right knee. Another passenger leaned over her to open a window, and caught her eye. They smiled, and Rafi reached for her purple bandana. To take her mind off her discomfort, she looked out of the window. It was not long before the construction sites and modern superstructures of the centre of Berlin gave way to the East that she remembered. The buildings were old and pockmarked. People always said the holes were made by Russian bullets back in 1945, and maybe some of them were. Rafi felt a general air of apathy, and thought that many of the houses were just crumbling from neglect. The tram passed a small green area, and at its centre was a giant bust of Lenin, gazing unsmilingly at the passers-by. People on the street were wearing drab colours, and seemed to lack the forward drive that propelled pedestrians on the streets of London or New York. Many of the shops along the way had posters announcing bargains for that week, and most of the shops were either video stores or shoe shops. There were no Starbucks, no Macdonalds, no Dunkin Donuts to be seen. In the early 1980’s, Rafi had spent a couple of days in East Berlin. A memory of that visit suddenly came to mind. It was about a piece of chocolate that she had bought there. As she walked down Unter den Linden, admiring the Prussian architecture that reminded her of her grandfather, she began to eat the chocolate. It tasted like sawdust, and she spat it out. The next day, she found some of it still in her pocket, and tried it again. It didn’t taste so bad this time. She supposed that if it was all there was, one could get used to it after a while. The people on the street looked as if sawdust-flavoured chocolate would be a big treat for them.
Rafi pulled the cord and waited for the streetcar to stop. She stepped down onto the pavement and crossed onto the shady side of the main street. She turned left into Herbert-Baum Strasse, and began to walk up the hill. The road was lined by two rows of tall trees, and when Rafi looked at the leaves on the ground to see if she might identify the type of trees they were, she was delighted to find the ground covered with conkers. She picked a few, and continued up the slope, examining each chestnut to see if it had the pattern and shininess that gave her pleasure. She cast the losers back to the pavement, and pocketed the rest."
cardiff 0-1 qpr
this happened on friday, but i was waiting hopefully for a lovely picture of relevance to become available. cannot wait any longer so here is a picture of friday's scorer, ray jones, celebrating a previous goal.
i cannot tell you too often how amazing it is that a simple thing like my team winning can do more for my mood than all the lexapro in the world. the problem is, of course, apart from the fact that such an occasion is rarer than a hen's tooth and thus cannot be relied upon, that the weekend concludes and monday morning brings it all back. :-(
i cannot tell you too often how amazing it is that a simple thing like my team winning can do more for my mood than all the lexapro in the world. the problem is, of course, apart from the fact that such an occasion is rarer than a hen's tooth and thus cannot be relied upon, that the weekend concludes and monday morning brings it all back. :-(
Sunday, November 19, 2006
tresco blues
there's been a lot of talk in england over the last few days about the cricketer marcus trescothick and his departure from the ashes series because of depression. mike brearley (former england captain) wrote today:
"I used to think that cricket, by its nature, schools its players to deal with problems of loss. Symbolic deaths occur almost every time you bat. Getting out means leaving the arena altogether, and being hors de combat for hours or days. I assumed that such repeated experience might be a source of strength for a cricketer, enabling him to mourn, cope with, and make the best of the loss of a loved profession on retirement. Sport enlists, in a usually healthy way, some of the aggression needed for the inevitable strivings of life, including competition. I imagined that sport enabled its practitioners to exercise aggression in a safe enough setting, and to have less need to turn it against themselves in the form of depression.
Perhaps my view was too positive. Perhaps cricket does little to help one cope with other more substantial losses in life. Like other challenges, for those who can cope, it strengthens, while for others it may simply be too much."
of course it's not just cricketers, although there is a new book out (i forget the name, sorry) that claims that as many as 150 cricketers have committed suicide over the last few years. and it's not just famous people. or other people. how many friends do you have who deal with depression? maybe a better question is: how many people do you know who take anti-depressants? it's not hard for me to think of quite a few almost immediately. a naive question is: why do we all have to be so stressed out these days?
there may be a bit of a clue in what brearley says. we need healthy ways to deal with failure. it is a part of life, though, rather than death. it is a chance to learn and motivation to develop. in our culture, however, failure is so feared that many of us are paralysed even before we have a go at something.
"I used to think that cricket, by its nature, schools its players to deal with problems of loss. Symbolic deaths occur almost every time you bat. Getting out means leaving the arena altogether, and being hors de combat for hours or days. I assumed that such repeated experience might be a source of strength for a cricketer, enabling him to mourn, cope with, and make the best of the loss of a loved profession on retirement. Sport enlists, in a usually healthy way, some of the aggression needed for the inevitable strivings of life, including competition. I imagined that sport enabled its practitioners to exercise aggression in a safe enough setting, and to have less need to turn it against themselves in the form of depression.
Perhaps my view was too positive. Perhaps cricket does little to help one cope with other more substantial losses in life. Like other challenges, for those who can cope, it strengthens, while for others it may simply be too much."
of course it's not just cricketers, although there is a new book out (i forget the name, sorry) that claims that as many as 150 cricketers have committed suicide over the last few years. and it's not just famous people. or other people. how many friends do you have who deal with depression? maybe a better question is: how many people do you know who take anti-depressants? it's not hard for me to think of quite a few almost immediately. a naive question is: why do we all have to be so stressed out these days?
there may be a bit of a clue in what brearley says. we need healthy ways to deal with failure. it is a part of life, though, rather than death. it is a chance to learn and motivation to develop. in our culture, however, failure is so feared that many of us are paralysed even before we have a go at something.
Friday, November 17, 2006
i name this child gandalf tiger beckham ravaj
there i was thinking it was awful having the same name as the greatest-selling laundry detergent in europe and south america. and it was a boy's name when i was a girl. at least my parents weren't bob geldof & paula yates (r.i.p.). from the times today:
"What did you call your children?
By Alan Hamilton
AS IF Peaches Honeyblossom, Pixie Frou-Frou and Fifi Trixibelle were not enough of a cross to bear, Britain now numbers among its youth 6 Gandalfs, 39 Gazzas, 2 Supermen and 36 Arsenals of both sexes. Children, it appears, are in growing danger from their parents of name abuse. Among the worst reported cases are Dre, Tupac, Jay-Z and Snoop. These unfortunates, when they grow up, may well wonder why they were named after a variety of transient rap stars.
A survey of British birth certificates over the past 22 years by findmypast.com, a family history website, indicates that the practice of naming children after pop, sporting or film stars, or even fictional characters, is alive and well. It is merely an updating of all those women who, having wept over Gone with the Wind in 1939, christened their sons Ashley and their daughters Scarlett.
One American golfer is such a hero that there are now 1,191 British boys named Tiger, and at least three boys have the first names David and Beckham.
Hero worship is perfectly understandable; what is less easy to fathom are the 29 sets of parents who named a child Gazza after Paul Gascoigne, the former football genius with an alcohol problem. Even stranger, if such a thing is possible, are those who named their offspring not after sporting stars but after the clothes they wear; there are two such children at large, one called Reebok and the other Adidas.
It was all so much simpler in Elizabethan times, when three quarters of all Englishmen were named John, Thomas, William, Richard or Robert, and three quarters of all women were Elizabeth, Joan, Margaret, Anne, Alice, Agnes, Mary, Jane or Katherine."
"What did you call your children?
By Alan Hamilton
AS IF Peaches Honeyblossom, Pixie Frou-Frou and Fifi Trixibelle were not enough of a cross to bear, Britain now numbers among its youth 6 Gandalfs, 39 Gazzas, 2 Supermen and 36 Arsenals of both sexes. Children, it appears, are in growing danger from their parents of name abuse. Among the worst reported cases are Dre, Tupac, Jay-Z and Snoop. These unfortunates, when they grow up, may well wonder why they were named after a variety of transient rap stars.
A survey of British birth certificates over the past 22 years by findmypast.com, a family history website, indicates that the practice of naming children after pop, sporting or film stars, or even fictional characters, is alive and well. It is merely an updating of all those women who, having wept over Gone with the Wind in 1939, christened their sons Ashley and their daughters Scarlett.
One American golfer is such a hero that there are now 1,191 British boys named Tiger, and at least three boys have the first names David and Beckham.
Hero worship is perfectly understandable; what is less easy to fathom are the 29 sets of parents who named a child Gazza after Paul Gascoigne, the former football genius with an alcohol problem. Even stranger, if such a thing is possible, are those who named their offspring not after sporting stars but after the clothes they wear; there are two such children at large, one called Reebok and the other Adidas.
It was all so much simpler in Elizabethan times, when three quarters of all Englishmen were named John, Thomas, William, Richard or Robert, and three quarters of all women were Elizabeth, Joan, Margaret, Anne, Alice, Agnes, Mary, Jane or Katherine."
tonight in cardiff
wishful thinking that there may be more scenes like this at the game tonight in wales.
as i listen to bbc radio london's finest commentate via my mac, i will be thinking of our friend dannie. he's a cardiff man, and used to go to the qpr/cardiff games with my father. i bloody hate cardiff, but if (toi toi toi) they win, i shall be happy for him.
as i listen to bbc radio london's finest commentate via my mac, i will be thinking of our friend dannie. he's a cardiff man, and used to go to the qpr/cardiff games with my father. i bloody hate cardiff, but if (toi toi toi) they win, i shall be happy for him.
the campaign for real spam
ken levine's blog tipped me off to this story, and i remembered that piglet and i had visited the spam museum on our 2003 road trip. go to the flickr pix for a shot of piglet outside the museum itself. today i chose this one of him with the guard, mainly because i like the idea of piglet being guarded by a spam person but also because my car at that time had virginia plates and this guard could not resist calling me a ham :-)
Spam: 'It's a meat,' Hormel insists
By Will Sturgeon
Spiced-ham maker Hormel Foods has announced a massive U.K. advertising campaign, in what may be seen as an attempt to separate its flagship "spam" product name from negative associations with unsolicited e-mail.
For the first time, Hormel will advertise on British television screens next week with a campaign that cost 2 million pounds ($3.7 million), according to a report on the BBC.
The ads will feature an array of "typical" British characters--including builders, campers and pantomime actors--all enjoying spam. According to Hormel figures, the U.K. public consumes around $24.5 million worth of spam each year.
But in recent years, Hormel has become increasingly touchy about the use of the word "spam" to describe one of modern society's worst digital menaces.
Last year, antispam company SpamArrest was sued by Hormel for trademark infringement over its use of the word "spam" in its company name.
At the time, Brian Cartmell, CEO of SpamArrest, said: "Hormel is acting like a corporate crybaby. Dozens of companies use the word 'spam' in their legal and commercial names, and no one confuses any of us with the Hormel canned meat product."
Seattle attorney Derek Newman added: "Spam has become ubiquitous throughout the world to describe unsolicited commercial e-mail. No company can claim trademark rights on a generic term."
hmmmmm.
Spam: 'It's a meat,' Hormel insists
By Will Sturgeon
Spiced-ham maker Hormel Foods has announced a massive U.K. advertising campaign, in what may be seen as an attempt to separate its flagship "spam" product name from negative associations with unsolicited e-mail.
For the first time, Hormel will advertise on British television screens next week with a campaign that cost 2 million pounds ($3.7 million), according to a report on the BBC.
The ads will feature an array of "typical" British characters--including builders, campers and pantomime actors--all enjoying spam. According to Hormel figures, the U.K. public consumes around $24.5 million worth of spam each year.
But in recent years, Hormel has become increasingly touchy about the use of the word "spam" to describe one of modern society's worst digital menaces.
Last year, antispam company SpamArrest was sued by Hormel for trademark infringement over its use of the word "spam" in its company name.
At the time, Brian Cartmell, CEO of SpamArrest, said: "Hormel is acting like a corporate crybaby. Dozens of companies use the word 'spam' in their legal and commercial names, and no one confuses any of us with the Hormel canned meat product."
Seattle attorney Derek Newman added: "Spam has become ubiquitous throughout the world to describe unsolicited commercial e-mail. No company can claim trademark rights on a generic term."
hmmmmm.
lessons of the holocaust
today the independent newspaper discusses the pros and cons of a new scheme to take 2 sixth-formers from every school in the united kingdom - more than 6000 students - to visit auschwitz in the next 3 years. the government, and gordon brown in particular, are behind this scheme.
"But not everyone agrees with the idea, arguing that it is an odd use of taxpayers' money - albeit a relatively small amount - and that there are other ways to teach children about atrocities. The critics also complain that it keeps Britain locked in an old-fashioned 60-year-old mindset about Germany and about British relationships with that country when, in reality, they have changed beyond all recognition."
the paper spoke to the head of education at the holocaust educational trust, kay andrews:
"The Holocaust has lessons to teach us today, but Andrews does not resort to the pat exhortation, "never again". He says: "It's lame to say 'never again' because there has been more genocide in the past 60 years, and of course there is still prejudice in the world. But I think learning about the Holocaust can inspire young people to try to make their own little world a better place, by doing something to prevent bullying or prejudice when they see it.""
on the other hand:
"Not everyone, however, agrees that taking students to Auschwitz is the way to put the memory of the Holocaust to use. Some question government backing for a trip to one particular atrocity site. Others say you don't have to physically visit such places. "You don't have to go to Auschwitz to appreciate the horrors of the period," says Professor Frank Furedi, whose mother survived the concentration camps, and who has been critical of the Government's "sanctimonious" approach to the Holocaust before.
"I think that Auschwitz and the camps have come to serve a symbolic purpose as a metaphor for evil in the imagination," he argues. "Learning about the Holocaust has become a rite of passage for schoolchildren. The Government uses it to try to inspire a moral literacy in young people, and I think that's a bad way to go about it. In a time when morality, good and evil are uncertain concepts, there's an impoverishment in using the Holocaust as a standard of good and evil. Atrocities are not the only way to get children to think about morality, or right and wrong. We should look more at good things, at human achievement rather than destruction and catastrophe.""
for me, especially as the time will soon be here when there are no more living witnesses, people need to go to the place and see that it is real. they need to see the ovens, and the piles of spectacles, and the shoes, and everything. if all you do is read about it then it is a lot easier to deny it. of course, i have a vested interest in perpetuating the memory of the shoah, with regard to the influence it had on my family. i hope i also have a vested interest with regard to the development of humanity, in that seeing to what depths human beings may sink will inspire others to defy evil. it's all very well celebrating human achievement, but surely the overcoming of our flaws is the greatest achievement of all?
the independent article was by tim walker
"But not everyone agrees with the idea, arguing that it is an odd use of taxpayers' money - albeit a relatively small amount - and that there are other ways to teach children about atrocities. The critics also complain that it keeps Britain locked in an old-fashioned 60-year-old mindset about Germany and about British relationships with that country when, in reality, they have changed beyond all recognition."
the paper spoke to the head of education at the holocaust educational trust, kay andrews:
"The Holocaust has lessons to teach us today, but Andrews does not resort to the pat exhortation, "never again". He says: "It's lame to say 'never again' because there has been more genocide in the past 60 years, and of course there is still prejudice in the world. But I think learning about the Holocaust can inspire young people to try to make their own little world a better place, by doing something to prevent bullying or prejudice when they see it.""
on the other hand:
"Not everyone, however, agrees that taking students to Auschwitz is the way to put the memory of the Holocaust to use. Some question government backing for a trip to one particular atrocity site. Others say you don't have to physically visit such places. "You don't have to go to Auschwitz to appreciate the horrors of the period," says Professor Frank Furedi, whose mother survived the concentration camps, and who has been critical of the Government's "sanctimonious" approach to the Holocaust before.
"I think that Auschwitz and the camps have come to serve a symbolic purpose as a metaphor for evil in the imagination," he argues. "Learning about the Holocaust has become a rite of passage for schoolchildren. The Government uses it to try to inspire a moral literacy in young people, and I think that's a bad way to go about it. In a time when morality, good and evil are uncertain concepts, there's an impoverishment in using the Holocaust as a standard of good and evil. Atrocities are not the only way to get children to think about morality, or right and wrong. We should look more at good things, at human achievement rather than destruction and catastrophe.""
for me, especially as the time will soon be here when there are no more living witnesses, people need to go to the place and see that it is real. they need to see the ovens, and the piles of spectacles, and the shoes, and everything. if all you do is read about it then it is a lot easier to deny it. of course, i have a vested interest in perpetuating the memory of the shoah, with regard to the influence it had on my family. i hope i also have a vested interest with regard to the development of humanity, in that seeing to what depths human beings may sink will inspire others to defy evil. it's all very well celebrating human achievement, but surely the overcoming of our flaws is the greatest achievement of all?
the independent article was by tim walker
Thursday, November 16, 2006
thursday thirteen meme
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1…. The hospital I was born in was pulled down a few weeks later. 2.... I am a lifelong fan of Queens Park Rangers FC 3.... I had Lulu's autograph but I lost it 4.... If I had a spirit guide I think it would be a panda bear 5.... The last book I read was "Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident" 6.... I'm a Reform Jew 7.... I hate chewing gum 8.... I wish i knew how to quilt, and am saving my favourite t-shirts in case I ever learn 9.... My favourite singer of all-time is Ella Fitzgerald 10... I love the taste of dill 11... I'm currently taking part in the National Novel Writing Month 12... I'm waaaaay behind in my novel writing 13... I'm not afraid of spiders Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
panda poo
"BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai zoo has discovered a way to utilise unwanted dung from a couple of pandas by using it to make paper for souvenirs, the country's panda project manager said on Tuesday.
The zoo had improvised a traditional way of making paper from mulberry trees in the northern city of Chiang Mai by using bamboo pulp that the pair of pandas could not digest, Prasertsak Buntrakoonpoontawee said.
The pandas, who are fed chopped bamboo, excrete about 23 kg (50 lb) of the pulp a day, he said.
"We know that any kind of pulp can be used to make paper, so we have applied the 2,000-year techniques of making paper from mulberry tree in this rural neighborhood to bamboo pulp from panda dung," Prasertsak said. The zoo had earned 300,000 baht (4,309 pounds) a year from selling fans, greeting cards, key chains, book marks -- all with panda faces and made from panda excrement paper -- and dried panda dung, enough to fund the project, he said"
gosh, imagine excreting 50 lbs a day.
(somebody needs to get a life)
The zoo had improvised a traditional way of making paper from mulberry trees in the northern city of Chiang Mai by using bamboo pulp that the pair of pandas could not digest, Prasertsak Buntrakoonpoontawee said.
The pandas, who are fed chopped bamboo, excrete about 23 kg (50 lb) of the pulp a day, he said.
"We know that any kind of pulp can be used to make paper, so we have applied the 2,000-year techniques of making paper from mulberry tree in this rural neighborhood to bamboo pulp from panda dung," Prasertsak said. The zoo had earned 300,000 baht (4,309 pounds) a year from selling fans, greeting cards, key chains, book marks -- all with panda faces and made from panda excrement paper -- and dried panda dung, enough to fund the project, he said"
gosh, imagine excreting 50 lbs a day.
(somebody needs to get a life)
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
the horse chestnut leaf miner moth's 15 minutes
yahoo news reports this morning:
"AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - The ancient chestnut tree that comforted Anne Frank while she was in hiding during the Nazi occupation of Holland must be cut down, the Amsterdam city council said Tuesday.
The diseased tree in the courtyard behind the canal-side warehouse where the Frank family took refuge for more than two years has been attacked by an aggressive fungus and a moth, called the horse chestnut leaf miner. Experts estimate the tree's age at 150-170 years.
The chestnut is familiar to some 25 million readers of "The Diary of Anne Frank." Anne often looked at it longingly from the attic, the only window that was not blacked out to prevent anyone seeing movement inside the apartment in the rear of the warehouse on Prinsengracht street where the Frank family hid.
The Jewish teenager made several references to it in the diary that she kept during the 25 months she remained indoors until the family was arrested in August 1944.
The tree's condition has rapidly deteriorated in recent years, the city said. The inner wood is rotten and the dying roots and bark are not regenerating.
"It's very sad, but the decision has been taken," said Patricia Bosboom, spokeswoman of the Anne Frank House museum. "It's one of the oldest chestnut trees in Amsterdam."
It will take several weeks before the city issues the required license to fell the tree.
The museum, where the tiny apartment has been preserved, said grafts already have been taken and a sapling from the original chestnut will replace the once-towering tree.
"Nearly every morning I go to the attic to blow the stuffy air out of my lungs," Anne wrote on Feb. 23, 1944. "From my favorite spot on the floor I look up at the blue sky and the bare chestnut tree, on whose branches little raindrops shine, appearing like silver, and at the seagulls and other birds as they glide on the wind. ...
"As long as this exists, I thought, and I may live to see it, this sunshine, the cloudless skies, while this lasts I cannot be unhappy."
Anne Frank died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in March 1945"
"AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - The ancient chestnut tree that comforted Anne Frank while she was in hiding during the Nazi occupation of Holland must be cut down, the Amsterdam city council said Tuesday.
The diseased tree in the courtyard behind the canal-side warehouse where the Frank family took refuge for more than two years has been attacked by an aggressive fungus and a moth, called the horse chestnut leaf miner. Experts estimate the tree's age at 150-170 years.
The chestnut is familiar to some 25 million readers of "The Diary of Anne Frank." Anne often looked at it longingly from the attic, the only window that was not blacked out to prevent anyone seeing movement inside the apartment in the rear of the warehouse on Prinsengracht street where the Frank family hid.
The Jewish teenager made several references to it in the diary that she kept during the 25 months she remained indoors until the family was arrested in August 1944.
The tree's condition has rapidly deteriorated in recent years, the city said. The inner wood is rotten and the dying roots and bark are not regenerating.
"It's very sad, but the decision has been taken," said Patricia Bosboom, spokeswoman of the Anne Frank House museum. "It's one of the oldest chestnut trees in Amsterdam."
It will take several weeks before the city issues the required license to fell the tree.
The museum, where the tiny apartment has been preserved, said grafts already have been taken and a sapling from the original chestnut will replace the once-towering tree.
"Nearly every morning I go to the attic to blow the stuffy air out of my lungs," Anne wrote on Feb. 23, 1944. "From my favorite spot on the floor I look up at the blue sky and the bare chestnut tree, on whose branches little raindrops shine, appearing like silver, and at the seagulls and other birds as they glide on the wind. ...
"As long as this exists, I thought, and I may live to see it, this sunshine, the cloudless skies, while this lasts I cannot be unhappy."
Anne Frank died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in March 1945"
from madeleine l'engle's commonplace book
i just learned about commonplace books from lemony snicket, and it turns out i have had one for a long time ... the notebook in which i gather words and poems that i like. My poetry book includes stevie smith, dorothy parker, william blake, brian patten, a a milne, dylan thomas, jenny joseph, wilfred owen, ogden nash and sylvia plath. o, and gerard manley hopkins, she added. of course, like thousands of brits, my favourite poem has to be 'jabberwocky'.
anyway, i was reading 'walking on water' by madeleine l'engle. why? because i had finished the artemis fowl book from the library, i'd already read both patricia cornwells, and i wasn't in the mood for 'the star of redemption'. i like to have someone to talk to when i eat, and this book was on the top of the pile on my kitchen table. however, i got no further than the following quote from francis of assisi (p 25):
"In pictures of God and the blessed Virgin painted on wood, God and the blessed Virgin are held in mind, yet the wood and the painting ascribe nothing to themselves, because they are just wood and paint; so the servant of God is a kind of painting, that is, a creature of God in which God is honoured for the sake of his benefits. But he ought to ascribe nothing to himself, just like the wood or the painting, but should render honour and glory to God alone."
l'engle was talking about the symbolism of icons, but since i come from a tradition that proscribes the creation of images of the divine, that did not grab me. at first glance, it seemed to be simply about humility, that each human body is not actually divine, but rather a medium for the expression of the divine. and we should not get confused and start to believe our own press, i.e., that we deserve the kudos for being as wonderful as we are. then i started to think about, well actually the next thought was the picture of dorian gray. you know - the effect the decay of the soul has on the physical body. we do have some power over this creation - is it only the power to destroy?
what is the difference between humility and submission? perhaps humility is having no desire for kudos, and submission is either forced or voluntary acceptance of a power greater than one's self. while traditional jews are required to submit to the yoke of the commandments, they are free to choose so not to do. are the commandments the act of painting? and since we are in a covenantal relationship we have to take part in that act? or am i pushing this too far? hmmmmm.
anyway, i was reading 'walking on water' by madeleine l'engle. why? because i had finished the artemis fowl book from the library, i'd already read both patricia cornwells, and i wasn't in the mood for 'the star of redemption'. i like to have someone to talk to when i eat, and this book was on the top of the pile on my kitchen table. however, i got no further than the following quote from francis of assisi (p 25):
"In pictures of God and the blessed Virgin painted on wood, God and the blessed Virgin are held in mind, yet the wood and the painting ascribe nothing to themselves, because they are just wood and paint; so the servant of God is a kind of painting, that is, a creature of God in which God is honoured for the sake of his benefits. But he ought to ascribe nothing to himself, just like the wood or the painting, but should render honour and glory to God alone."
l'engle was talking about the symbolism of icons, but since i come from a tradition that proscribes the creation of images of the divine, that did not grab me. at first glance, it seemed to be simply about humility, that each human body is not actually divine, but rather a medium for the expression of the divine. and we should not get confused and start to believe our own press, i.e., that we deserve the kudos for being as wonderful as we are. then i started to think about, well actually the next thought was the picture of dorian gray. you know - the effect the decay of the soul has on the physical body. we do have some power over this creation - is it only the power to destroy?
what is the difference between humility and submission? perhaps humility is having no desire for kudos, and submission is either forced or voluntary acceptance of a power greater than one's self. while traditional jews are required to submit to the yoke of the commandments, they are free to choose so not to do. are the commandments the act of painting? and since we are in a covenantal relationship we have to take part in that act? or am i pushing this too far? hmmmmm.
Monday, November 13, 2006
loo-ton 2-3 qpr
back to back wins but don't worry we have no false sense of confidence here. we average the highest amount of goals per game in the league, but mostly because we let so many in. calling the defence porous would be generous.
meanwhile, after their manager's outburst, his club have called an emergency meeting. since people are punished for racist comments, may we hope that newell gets it in the neck for sexist comments?
meanwhile, after their manager's outburst, his club have called an emergency meeting. since people are punished for racist comments, may we hope that newell gets it in the neck for sexist comments?
Football manager demands ban on women referees
"by Rob Sharp
Sunday November 12, 2006
The Observer
Gender relations in football took a dramatic step backwards yesterday after one of the country's top young managers attacked the presence of female officials in the game. Luton's Mike Newell launched an astonishing criticism of assistant referee Amy Rayner, who he claimed made the wrong decision over a penalty in a match involving his team yesterday. Rayner is in her second year as an official and is one of the country's most successful female referees.
'She should not be here,' Newell said. 'I know that sounds sexist, but I am sexist, so I am not going to be anything other than that. We have a problem in this country with political correctness, and bringing women into the game is not the way to improve refereeing and officialdom.'
He added: 'It is absolutely beyond belief. When do we reach a stage when all officials are women, then we are in trouble. It is bad enough with the incapable referees and linesmen we have, but if you start bringing in women, you have big problems. It is tokenism, for the politically correct idiots.'
Newell caused controversy earlier this year when his allegation that he had been offered bungs by agents saw him branded the 'whistleblower' for Lord Stevens's bungs inquiry and a Panorama documentary. His latest outburst came after his team's 3-2 home defeat by Queen's Park Rangers.
But Rachel Yankey, who plays for Arsenal Ladies and is widely hailed as England's top striker, hit back at Newell's comments. 'There are bad refs and good refs,' she said.
'It doesn't matter if they're male or female. To be a ref in the Championship you are qualified to that level and it shouldn't matter if you're male or female, black or white. I agree the quality of refs needs to be stepped up, but that's across the board.'
QPR defender Marcus Bignot, who used to manage Birmingham City Ladies, also attacked Newell for his remarks. Newell believed his team should have been given a penalty when Carlos Edwards tangled with Bignot, but Bignot insisted Rayner and referee Andy D'Urso had made the right decision. Bignot said: 'Comments like those will stop female officials from trying to make their way in the game.
'Amy Rayner is a role model. What would he have said if it had been a male referee making that decision?'"
of course, the key point of this article is that newell's team were beaten by qpr :-)
Sunday November 12, 2006
The Observer
Gender relations in football took a dramatic step backwards yesterday after one of the country's top young managers attacked the presence of female officials in the game. Luton's Mike Newell launched an astonishing criticism of assistant referee Amy Rayner, who he claimed made the wrong decision over a penalty in a match involving his team yesterday. Rayner is in her second year as an official and is one of the country's most successful female referees.
'She should not be here,' Newell said. 'I know that sounds sexist, but I am sexist, so I am not going to be anything other than that. We have a problem in this country with political correctness, and bringing women into the game is not the way to improve refereeing and officialdom.'
He added: 'It is absolutely beyond belief. When do we reach a stage when all officials are women, then we are in trouble. It is bad enough with the incapable referees and linesmen we have, but if you start bringing in women, you have big problems. It is tokenism, for the politically correct idiots.'
Newell caused controversy earlier this year when his allegation that he had been offered bungs by agents saw him branded the 'whistleblower' for Lord Stevens's bungs inquiry and a Panorama documentary. His latest outburst came after his team's 3-2 home defeat by Queen's Park Rangers.
But Rachel Yankey, who plays for Arsenal Ladies and is widely hailed as England's top striker, hit back at Newell's comments. 'There are bad refs and good refs,' she said.
'It doesn't matter if they're male or female. To be a ref in the Championship you are qualified to that level and it shouldn't matter if you're male or female, black or white. I agree the quality of refs needs to be stepped up, but that's across the board.'
QPR defender Marcus Bignot, who used to manage Birmingham City Ladies, also attacked Newell for his remarks. Newell believed his team should have been given a penalty when Carlos Edwards tangled with Bignot, but Bignot insisted Rayner and referee Andy D'Urso had made the right decision. Bignot said: 'Comments like those will stop female officials from trying to make their way in the game.
'Amy Rayner is a role model. What would he have said if it had been a male referee making that decision?'"
of course, the key point of this article is that newell's team were beaten by qpr :-)
elton john says ban all religions
in today's sunday observer, they present a conversation between elton john and jake shears from the scissor sisters. mainly they talk about being famous gays, but the passage that will probably get the headlines is this one:
"EJ: I just find it more human. We should all be together. I've got this really naive idea of what life should be like - it's an idealistic idea but it's completely integrated. We can't keep thinking of gay people as being ostracised; we can't keep thinking of Muslim people as being [ostracised] because of the fundamentalism that occurs in Islam. Muslim people have to do something about speaking up about it. We can't judge a book by its cover.
From my point of view I would ban religion completely, even though there are some wonderful things about it. I love the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it, which I loved in Sunday school and I collected all the little stickers and put them in my book. But the reality is that organised religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate.
The world is near escalating to World War Three and where are the leaders of each religion? Why aren't they having a conclave; why aren't they coming together? I said this after 9/11 and people thought I was nuts: instead of more violence why isn't there a [meeting of religious leaders]. It's all got to be dialogue - that's the only way. Get everybody from each religion together and say 'Listen, this can't go on. Why do we have all this hatred?'
We are all God's people; we have to get along and the [religious leaders] have to lead the way. If they don't do it, who else is going to do it? They're not going to do it and it's left to musicians or to someone else to deal with it. It's like the peace movement in the Sixties - musicians got through [to people] by getting out there and doing peace concerts but we don't seem to do them any more. We seem to be doing fundraisers for Africa and everything like that but I think peace is really important. If John Lennon were alive today he'd be leading it with a vengeance."
well, elton, i am glad you are there to give peace a chance.
"EJ: I just find it more human. We should all be together. I've got this really naive idea of what life should be like - it's an idealistic idea but it's completely integrated. We can't keep thinking of gay people as being ostracised; we can't keep thinking of Muslim people as being [ostracised] because of the fundamentalism that occurs in Islam. Muslim people have to do something about speaking up about it. We can't judge a book by its cover.
From my point of view I would ban religion completely, even though there are some wonderful things about it. I love the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it, which I loved in Sunday school and I collected all the little stickers and put them in my book. But the reality is that organised religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate.
The world is near escalating to World War Three and where are the leaders of each religion? Why aren't they having a conclave; why aren't they coming together? I said this after 9/11 and people thought I was nuts: instead of more violence why isn't there a [meeting of religious leaders]. It's all got to be dialogue - that's the only way. Get everybody from each religion together and say 'Listen, this can't go on. Why do we have all this hatred?'
We are all God's people; we have to get along and the [religious leaders] have to lead the way. If they don't do it, who else is going to do it? They're not going to do it and it's left to musicians or to someone else to deal with it. It's like the peace movement in the Sixties - musicians got through [to people] by getting out there and doing peace concerts but we don't seem to do them any more. We seem to be doing fundraisers for Africa and everything like that but I think peace is really important. If John Lennon were alive today he'd be leading it with a vengeance."
well, elton, i am glad you are there to give peace a chance.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
the first bit of the novel-writing month novel
THREE DAYS IN BERLIN
a NaNaNeeNee Novel
CHAPTER I
The trouble with leaving more than enough time to check in and go through security at the airport is that invariably you end up with more than enough time to sit and wait. How do you pass that time? First, you wander through the Duty Free section. No longer interested in the cut-price Silk Cut cigarettes, you lust after a tin of Quality Street the size of your head, drool at the gift-sized truncheons of Toblerone, and console yourself with several squirts of very expensive perfume. Next, you trail up and down the parade of shops, perhaps buying a dvd that you do not really need to own but it costs less than you would pay for it outside the airport. You check out the electronics store, diffidently considering which digital camera you wish that you had, and end up buying some AA batteries, or a travel converter plug. Finally, because you didn’t really have breakfast, or dinner, or anything; you look for something to eat that is neither your last meal nor your next. Since you are going on a journey, normal rules do not apply, so calories do not count and all diets are off. This is how Rafi found herself sitting in a saggy armchair outside Caffe Nero in Terminal Four of Heathrow Airport, with a glass of pressed apple juice in her hand, and her mouth full of Mississippi Mud Pie. It had seemed a good idea at the time, but the cake was stale and her tastebuds were disappointed. There was a woman on the next sofa, trying to feed a fidgety baby in a pushchair from a glass jar full of bright orange goo. She filled a white plastic spoon and aimed for the baby’s open mouth. At the last moment, the baby gurgled and twisted out of the way. “O bugger!” said the woman as carroty pap smeared across the baby’s face. She reached for a napkin, and the baby grinned. As the smile was being wiped off its face, Rafi decided it was time to go to the gate.
The flight was departing from one of the very last gates at the end of the terminal. Rafi stepped onto a moving walkway, and began to glide. Each step carried her three times further than it would on the ground, and she imagined herself skating gracefully across the ice. “Excuse me,” she said, as she rounded someone who did not seem to know that those who stood still should do so on the right-hand side. She swallowed her irritation, and continued to sail forward. The walkway ended, and she stumbled back onto dry land. The last few hundred yards were the most barren section of the airport. There were no more toilets. Neither were there any computer ports or telephones. There was nowhere to buy a junky magazine, nor a coffee. A lone Coke machine stood by the window. A Chasidic Jew sat in the middle of a row of chairs, clutching a large white hat-box in his left hand, and reading from a small gold-embossed hardback book in his right hand. The desk at her gate was empty and she sat down to wait.
a NaNaNeeNee Novel
CHAPTER I
The trouble with leaving more than enough time to check in and go through security at the airport is that invariably you end up with more than enough time to sit and wait. How do you pass that time? First, you wander through the Duty Free section. No longer interested in the cut-price Silk Cut cigarettes, you lust after a tin of Quality Street the size of your head, drool at the gift-sized truncheons of Toblerone, and console yourself with several squirts of very expensive perfume. Next, you trail up and down the parade of shops, perhaps buying a dvd that you do not really need to own but it costs less than you would pay for it outside the airport. You check out the electronics store, diffidently considering which digital camera you wish that you had, and end up buying some AA batteries, or a travel converter plug. Finally, because you didn’t really have breakfast, or dinner, or anything; you look for something to eat that is neither your last meal nor your next. Since you are going on a journey, normal rules do not apply, so calories do not count and all diets are off. This is how Rafi found herself sitting in a saggy armchair outside Caffe Nero in Terminal Four of Heathrow Airport, with a glass of pressed apple juice in her hand, and her mouth full of Mississippi Mud Pie. It had seemed a good idea at the time, but the cake was stale and her tastebuds were disappointed. There was a woman on the next sofa, trying to feed a fidgety baby in a pushchair from a glass jar full of bright orange goo. She filled a white plastic spoon and aimed for the baby’s open mouth. At the last moment, the baby gurgled and twisted out of the way. “O bugger!” said the woman as carroty pap smeared across the baby’s face. She reached for a napkin, and the baby grinned. As the smile was being wiped off its face, Rafi decided it was time to go to the gate.
The flight was departing from one of the very last gates at the end of the terminal. Rafi stepped onto a moving walkway, and began to glide. Each step carried her three times further than it would on the ground, and she imagined herself skating gracefully across the ice. “Excuse me,” she said, as she rounded someone who did not seem to know that those who stood still should do so on the right-hand side. She swallowed her irritation, and continued to sail forward. The walkway ended, and she stumbled back onto dry land. The last few hundred yards were the most barren section of the airport. There were no more toilets. Neither were there any computer ports or telephones. There was nowhere to buy a junky magazine, nor a coffee. A lone Coke machine stood by the window. A Chasidic Jew sat in the middle of a row of chairs, clutching a large white hat-box in his left hand, and reading from a small gold-embossed hardback book in his right hand. The desk at her gate was empty and she sat down to wait.
remembering the dead
i found this photograph online this week. the helmets, rifles and dogtags of these dead soldiers have been planted by their comrades in memory of their sacrifice.
the photo makes these items look like the aliens that came out of the ship in 'close encounters', or e.t. himself.
and for what did they die?
bring our troops home!
the photo makes these items look like the aliens that came out of the ship in 'close encounters', or e.t. himself.
and for what did they die?
bring our troops home!
my heart belongs to daddy
well, of course it does. don't worry, i am in various kinds of therapy. meanwhile, having heard this track since i was little (when they used to record on black vinyl), it has always been one of my favourites. today, however, was the first time in my memory (since i did see the movie 'let's make love' at least once, but in the days before i was aware of my interest in the sexuality of women) that i saw the film that goes with it. i rather enjoyed it. hope you do too (and thanks to pandagon for posting it!).
Friday, November 10, 2006
the next country about which to worry: china
thanks again to the week of generosity from the ny times, i am able to read the columns of the lovely mr. thomas friedman (he is a sweetie to talk to anyway). he is visiting china, and i present the following concluding paragraph from today's presentation:
"China, in other words, is inevitably going to move back to the center of U.S. politics, because it crystallizes the economic challenges faced by U.S. workers in the 21st century. The big question for me is, how will President Bush and the Democratic Congress use China: as a scapegoat or a Sputnik?
Will they use it as an excuse to avoid doing the hard things, because it’s all just China’s fault, or as an excuse to rally the country — as we did after the Soviets leapt ahead of us in the space race and launched Sputnik — to make the kind of comprehensive changes in health care, portability of pensions, entitlements and lifelong learning to give America’s middle class the best tools possible to thrive? A lot of history is going to turn on that answer, because if people don’t feel they have the tools or skills to thrive in a world without walls, the pressure to put up walls, especially against China, will steadily mount."
don't start worrying yet, though. soon it will be shabbat - the chance to put all worries aside for 24 hours and concentrate instead on giving yourself and all around you a break. gut shabbes!
"China, in other words, is inevitably going to move back to the center of U.S. politics, because it crystallizes the economic challenges faced by U.S. workers in the 21st century. The big question for me is, how will President Bush and the Democratic Congress use China: as a scapegoat or a Sputnik?
Will they use it as an excuse to avoid doing the hard things, because it’s all just China’s fault, or as an excuse to rally the country — as we did after the Soviets leapt ahead of us in the space race and launched Sputnik — to make the kind of comprehensive changes in health care, portability of pensions, entitlements and lifelong learning to give America’s middle class the best tools possible to thrive? A lot of history is going to turn on that answer, because if people don’t feel they have the tools or skills to thrive in a world without walls, the pressure to put up walls, especially against China, will steadily mount."
don't start worrying yet, though. soon it will be shabbat - the chance to put all worries aside for 24 hours and concentrate instead on giving yourself and all around you a break. gut shabbes!
weekend of remembrance
from kristallnacht to poppy day our thoughts are directed towards the world wars of the 20th century. we mourn those who gave their lives voluntarily through military service, and those who were unwilling victims of hatred and persecution.
the question for me is, however, will such thoughts and ceremonies have any effect on the wars and persecution of today?
rumsfeld is gone. hurrah. the troops, however, are still dying in iran and afghanistan. look at the graves. what next?
the question for me is, however, will such thoughts and ceremonies have any effect on the wars and persecution of today?
rumsfeld is gone. hurrah. the troops, however, are still dying in iran and afghanistan. look at the graves. what next?
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
a message from abraham lincoln
the new york times is offering its select pages for free this week, and i discovered that one of my favourite children's authors, maira kalman, is blogging there. here is an image for election day.
the worst of times
what issue brings together jews and muslims? according to the times today it is homophobia:
"Jews and Muslims unite against homosexuals
By Tim Butcher in Jerusalem
Last Updated: 2:24am GMT 07/11/2006
Jews and Muslims in Jerusalem have found common ground in their fierce opposition to a gay rights rally due to be held in the city this week.
Ultra-orthodox Jews burn rubbish yesterday during a protest against the rally in Jerusalem in support of homosexuals’ rights
Leaders from both faiths have united to denounce the parade, which has prompted nights of street protest by ultra-orthodox Jews, who regard homosexuality as an "abomination", and death threats against those taking part.
After Israeli police found and defused a bomb bearing the message "sodomites out", orders were given for 12,000 officers to deploy across Jerusalem during the march, which is planned for Friday. Last night, lawyers from both sides were wrangling at the High Court over whether the parade should be allowed to take place and, if so, where. With the court expected to convene another hearing today, it appeared that the parade would take place but at a new location near the parliament, a safe distance from orthodox neighbourhoods.
The issue of the parade is generating more media coverage than the Israeli military incursion into Gaza, which has left more than 50 Palestinians dead.
The city's Islamic leadership is opposed to the parade, with Tayseer Tamimi, the head of the Palestinian supreme council of Sharia litigation, leading Muslim opposition. "This march tries to destroy the moral and spiritual values for youths," he said. "All religions discredit gays because it is against the decent human nature created by God."
Ultra-orthodox Jews have protested for three nights, setting up burning barricades and throwing rocks at police. Thirty protesters were arrested and six policemen hurt as water cannon was deployed to put out fires and disperse crowds.
"This isn't the gay pride parade but the disgrace parade," said Yaakov Cohen, an MP from the United Torah Judaism party. Ben Yizri, an MP for the ultra-orthodox Shas party, part of Israel's ruling coalition, said: "We believe God will be very upset."
Homosexuality was legalised in Israel 18 years ago, but gay rights campaigners said many homosexuals were intimidated by Jerusalem's strongly homophobic atmosphere. Noa Satath, of Open House, the group planning the parade, said it marked an important step in bringing homosexuality "out of the closet" in Jerusalem."
kol hakavod to those who will march, and prayers for their safety. to find out more about the jerusalem open house, click here.
"Jews and Muslims unite against homosexuals
By Tim Butcher in Jerusalem
Last Updated: 2:24am GMT 07/11/2006
Jews and Muslims in Jerusalem have found common ground in their fierce opposition to a gay rights rally due to be held in the city this week.
Ultra-orthodox Jews burn rubbish yesterday during a protest against the rally in Jerusalem in support of homosexuals’ rights
Leaders from both faiths have united to denounce the parade, which has prompted nights of street protest by ultra-orthodox Jews, who regard homosexuality as an "abomination", and death threats against those taking part.
After Israeli police found and defused a bomb bearing the message "sodomites out", orders were given for 12,000 officers to deploy across Jerusalem during the march, which is planned for Friday. Last night, lawyers from both sides were wrangling at the High Court over whether the parade should be allowed to take place and, if so, where. With the court expected to convene another hearing today, it appeared that the parade would take place but at a new location near the parliament, a safe distance from orthodox neighbourhoods.
The issue of the parade is generating more media coverage than the Israeli military incursion into Gaza, which has left more than 50 Palestinians dead.
The city's Islamic leadership is opposed to the parade, with Tayseer Tamimi, the head of the Palestinian supreme council of Sharia litigation, leading Muslim opposition. "This march tries to destroy the moral and spiritual values for youths," he said. "All religions discredit gays because it is against the decent human nature created by God."
Ultra-orthodox Jews have protested for three nights, setting up burning barricades and throwing rocks at police. Thirty protesters were arrested and six policemen hurt as water cannon was deployed to put out fires and disperse crowds.
"This isn't the gay pride parade but the disgrace parade," said Yaakov Cohen, an MP from the United Torah Judaism party. Ben Yizri, an MP for the ultra-orthodox Shas party, part of Israel's ruling coalition, said: "We believe God will be very upset."
Homosexuality was legalised in Israel 18 years ago, but gay rights campaigners said many homosexuals were intimidated by Jerusalem's strongly homophobic atmosphere. Noa Satath, of Open House, the group planning the parade, said it marked an important step in bringing homosexuality "out of the closet" in Jerusalem."
kol hakavod to those who will march, and prayers for their safety. to find out more about the jerusalem open house, click here.
i dare you not to laugh
following various political reports around youtube, i also came upon this:
although there are a couple of minutes when i wonder if the baby is going to choke, i have to say that i could not help but laugh along. the gurgling was too infectious. and in those moments, i had a lot of hope.
although there are a couple of minutes when i wonder if the baby is going to choke, i have to say that i could not help but laugh along. the gurgling was too infectious. and in those moments, i had a lot of hope.
a scene of joy
the election is tomorrow. i am being inundated with pre-recorded calls to the extent that i asked someone this evening if she was real or on tape. it's dark early these days, phase one of the south beach diet does not get easier the longer one does it, and the election is tomorrow. am afraid to hope. despite all this, scenes of qpr joy have a miraculous, if brief, power to heal me. well, cheer me up a bit :-) so here are kevin and dexter feeling rather good about themselves.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
qpr 4-2 crystal palace
o frabjous day! our defence may be utterly porous, but at the moment we seem to be able to score goals as well. sounds like a mini return to the good old days, with entertaining football and a crowd that was really into it. and we actually won. i shall have to wear my new woolly r's hat forever :-)
Saturday, November 04, 2006
who belongs in the white house?
everyone has their own point of view, although whose it was before they got it is another matter altogether.
mind you, if piglet ran for president, the republicans would probably try to smear him regarding his unnatural interspecies relationship with winnie the pooh. and as for that time he was in kanga's pouch - oyyyyy!
mind you, if piglet ran for president, the republicans would probably try to smear him regarding his unnatural interspecies relationship with winnie the pooh. and as for that time he was in kanga's pouch - oyyyyy!
Friday, November 03, 2006
the week before the elections
only in america ... a snippet from today's times from an article about last-minute republican campaigning for next week's mid-term elections:
"In one electoral district in Texas, the last-minute campaign strategy has been to play down the fact that a candidate is dead.
Glenda Dawson, a Republican congresswoman in Pearland, died in September but a campaign leaflet distributed this week shows her smiling and noting her achievements for the district and did not mention her passing.
Ms Dawson is expected to win the reliably Republican district, in which case a special election will be held in a few months time. State Representative Dennis Bonnen, who is running her campaign, denied deliberately obscuring her death.
"We don’t suggest that there’s a great thing she’s going to accomplish for the voters in the future," he said. "We had already made it clear to voters in one piece that she had passed away. We didn’t think it was necessarily necessary to repeat it.""
it's incredible, isn't it, that dead people are even allowed to run. *pause while we insert appropriate joke about currently serving politicians and how dead they may be* but then better dead than red, eh? or than rainbow or black or anything else.
"In one electoral district in Texas, the last-minute campaign strategy has been to play down the fact that a candidate is dead.
Glenda Dawson, a Republican congresswoman in Pearland, died in September but a campaign leaflet distributed this week shows her smiling and noting her achievements for the district and did not mention her passing.
Ms Dawson is expected to win the reliably Republican district, in which case a special election will be held in a few months time. State Representative Dennis Bonnen, who is running her campaign, denied deliberately obscuring her death.
"We don’t suggest that there’s a great thing she’s going to accomplish for the voters in the future," he said. "We had already made it clear to voters in one piece that she had passed away. We didn’t think it was necessarily necessary to repeat it.""
it's incredible, isn't it, that dead people are even allowed to run. *pause while we insert appropriate joke about currently serving politicians and how dead they may be* but then better dead than red, eh? or than rainbow or black or anything else.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
the scariest thing
this is a photo noam took with her phone of the first rat. without the tail, it was the length from the tip of her middle finger to halfway up to her elbow. AAAAAAAAARGH! and hallowe'en greetings. (i have been hiding in the back of the house, since i did not have the nerve to put up the sign on the front door telling them that a crazy woman from england who is diabetic and on the first week of the south beach diet would probably not be opening the door and handing them treats).
wba 3-3 qpr
against all odds; despite a right-back playing left-back, a centre-back playing right-back, the centre back not really playing at all; on a dark hallowe'en night in the midlands; while everyone else was watching barca v the scum ... we scored 3 goals away from home and nicked a point. hurrah!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
obesity causes global warming?
an op-ed in today's ny times. apparently, a billion extra gallons of gasoline a year are being used to transport fatter americans around the country. not only that, but how about this:
"The idea of using economic incentives to help people shed pounds comes up in the periodic calls for taxes on junk food. Martin B. Schmidt, an economist at the College of William and Mary, suggests a tax on food bought at drive-through windows. Describing his theory in a recent Op-Ed article in The New York Times, Dr. Schmidt said people would expend more calories if they had to get out of their cars to pick up their food.
“We tax cigarettes in part because of their health cost,” he wrote. “Similarly, the individual’s decision to lead a sedentary lifestyle will end up costing taxpayers.”"
the last universally acceptable prejudice - stoutism! (a tip of the typing key to an ancient episode of 'not the nine o'clock news')
maybe i'd better go out and buy some scales to make sure my south beach diet is working?
"The idea of using economic incentives to help people shed pounds comes up in the periodic calls for taxes on junk food. Martin B. Schmidt, an economist at the College of William and Mary, suggests a tax on food bought at drive-through windows. Describing his theory in a recent Op-Ed article in The New York Times, Dr. Schmidt said people would expend more calories if they had to get out of their cars to pick up their food.
“We tax cigarettes in part because of their health cost,” he wrote. “Similarly, the individual’s decision to lead a sedentary lifestyle will end up costing taxpayers.”"
the last universally acceptable prejudice - stoutism! (a tip of the typing key to an ancient episode of 'not the nine o'clock news')
maybe i'd better go out and buy some scales to make sure my south beach diet is working?
random telephone calls
my mobile just rang at 11:30 pm. when i picked it up i said hello, and a guy at the other end said, "who are you?" "hey, you called me," i said, "who are you?!" sounds like the beginning of a comedy sketch, or a sneaky new kind telemarketing. in the week before the elections, i assume that nothing is sacred. does anyone know how to set up my telephone so that anyone trying to canvas me automatically receives my recorded message instead? something along the lines of: "your candidate and cause have been recorded. please note that as a result of your call i shall be voting for anybody else. thank you and have a nice day."
o, and the guy? he claimed he was responding to a call from my number. i told him he wasn't, and we parted. where is 717 area code?
o, and the guy? he claimed he was responding to a call from my number. i told him he wasn't, and we parted. where is 717 area code?
Sunday, October 29, 2006
the death of a flying rat
if you check out noam's myspace blog this week you will see a record of her current rat infestation. the first rat that was killed was shot three times by the ratman before it fell. shot with poison pellets from a rat rifle it was.
i have been a vegetarian since 1975, and to this day find the snuffing out of any life a painful experience. the only exception to this would be mosquitoes (i have always believed that mummy mosquitoes tucked their babies up at night with the promise that one day they too would feast on friedlander) and london pigeons. ever since a trip up to town in the early seventies, when we visited trafalgar square, i have hated london pigeons. our kind parents paid their tuppence for a right guard lid full of bird seed, and we tried to feed the birds. you know those beards of bees that you see photos of every now and then when the news needs a little light refreshment? imagine a toupee of flying rats, whose talons got tangled in your naturally curly hair and then they tried to fly away.
nu, i don't like pigeons, and therefore rather enjoyed the following bit from a.a.gill in today's sunday times:
"It's all a bit hard to swallow
It’s a bird-eat-bird world. The pelicans in St. James’s Park are swallowing the pigeons and the usual swooning battalion of critter lovers is reaching for the smelling salts and the green ink. Pelicans should breakfast on fish.
Though I can’t for the life of me see the qualitative difference between the life of a haddock and a feral pigeon. We go to watch pelicans being fed fish in the zoo; how much more amusing to chuck them a flying rat. I think urban pigeon coursing would be an exciting day out and fun for all the family.
We’d start with a mad woman throwing breadcrumbs as bait while we hit behind trees with our trained pelicans at the ready. Maybe packs of them would go for foxes — riding after a squadron of killer pelicans coming out of the sun would be brilliant.
The pelican is the ancient symbol of selfless charity. They were thought to feed their young with the blood from their breast (they don’t) and the pigeon of course is cousin to the dove, harbinger of peace. Some might think that charity eating peace was an augury of some imminent catastrophe or perhaps it’s just an elegant bestiary metaphor for the end of the Tony Blair years?"
i have been a vegetarian since 1975, and to this day find the snuffing out of any life a painful experience. the only exception to this would be mosquitoes (i have always believed that mummy mosquitoes tucked their babies up at night with the promise that one day they too would feast on friedlander) and london pigeons. ever since a trip up to town in the early seventies, when we visited trafalgar square, i have hated london pigeons. our kind parents paid their tuppence for a right guard lid full of bird seed, and we tried to feed the birds. you know those beards of bees that you see photos of every now and then when the news needs a little light refreshment? imagine a toupee of flying rats, whose talons got tangled in your naturally curly hair and then they tried to fly away.
nu, i don't like pigeons, and therefore rather enjoyed the following bit from a.a.gill in today's sunday times:
"It's all a bit hard to swallow
It’s a bird-eat-bird world. The pelicans in St. James’s Park are swallowing the pigeons and the usual swooning battalion of critter lovers is reaching for the smelling salts and the green ink. Pelicans should breakfast on fish.
Though I can’t for the life of me see the qualitative difference between the life of a haddock and a feral pigeon. We go to watch pelicans being fed fish in the zoo; how much more amusing to chuck them a flying rat. I think urban pigeon coursing would be an exciting day out and fun for all the family.
We’d start with a mad woman throwing breadcrumbs as bait while we hit behind trees with our trained pelicans at the ready. Maybe packs of them would go for foxes — riding after a squadron of killer pelicans coming out of the sun would be brilliant.
The pelican is the ancient symbol of selfless charity. They were thought to feed their young with the blood from their breast (they don’t) and the pigeon of course is cousin to the dove, harbinger of peace. Some might think that charity eating peace was an augury of some imminent catastrophe or perhaps it’s just an elegant bestiary metaphor for the end of the Tony Blair years?"
qpr 1-1 leicester city
one of the few bright sparks in the recent dull performances by my 'r's, here is lee cook in action yesterday afternoon. they were down to ten men and still we did not lose, so it wasn't all bad :-)
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Transgender MP in toilet fracas
just read this on the bbc news site:
"An Italian opposition MP and former showgirl has expressed outrage after meeting a transgender colleague in the parliament's ladies' toilets. Elisabetta Gardini, spokeswoman for former PM Silvio Berlusconi's party, said she felt ill after the encounter during a break in Friday's session. The incident led to heated debate about which toilet the transgender MP, known as Vladimir Luxuria, could use. Ms Luxuria says she has been using ladies' toilets for years. Using the men's would have created even bigger problems, she said. The matter has now been passed to parliamentary procedural officials to resolve.
'Sexual violence'
Ms Gardini said she had been horrified to find Ms Luxuria in the toilets. "It never entered my mind that I'd find him in there", she said. "It felt like sexual violence - I really felt ill." Centre-right MPs backed her call for the creation of a third "transgender" toilet, Reuters news agency said. But ruling coalition deputies accused Ms Gardini of discrimination tantamount to racism. Ms Luxuria said she had not expected such aggression in the parliament.
Born Wladimiro Guadagno, Ms Luxuria wears women's clothes but has not had sex-change surgery. A 40-year-old former drag queen and prominent gay rights activist, she was elected MP for the Communist Refoundation, a member of Prime Minister Romano Prodi's centre-left coalition, in April."
one of my sisters, if she ruled the world, the first thing she would do would be to give each human being their own toilet.
having grown up in bottom-obsessed britain, and lived many years in a hypoallergenic america; my objection to sharing toilets has nothing to do with gender, and everything to do with some kind of fear of being contaminated by, well ... i'm not really sure but it has something to do with the smells and unsavoury nature of bodily waste products. enough already!
so why did this catch my eye? i think because, while i think the complainer is totally over the top, i also had to acknowledge that my path to thinking that had to go through my own initial reaction of yuck a guy in the bathroom. this was followed by but wait a minute this is not a guy it is a woman, and then it was ok. i was just interested that i had that yuck reaction in me. i hope and trust i would not act on it. however, knowing that it is in me too (even if i choose not to act upon it), may help me to be a bit less judgemental.
"An Italian opposition MP and former showgirl has expressed outrage after meeting a transgender colleague in the parliament's ladies' toilets. Elisabetta Gardini, spokeswoman for former PM Silvio Berlusconi's party, said she felt ill after the encounter during a break in Friday's session. The incident led to heated debate about which toilet the transgender MP, known as Vladimir Luxuria, could use. Ms Luxuria says she has been using ladies' toilets for years. Using the men's would have created even bigger problems, she said. The matter has now been passed to parliamentary procedural officials to resolve.
'Sexual violence'
Ms Gardini said she had been horrified to find Ms Luxuria in the toilets. "It never entered my mind that I'd find him in there", she said. "It felt like sexual violence - I really felt ill." Centre-right MPs backed her call for the creation of a third "transgender" toilet, Reuters news agency said. But ruling coalition deputies accused Ms Gardini of discrimination tantamount to racism. Ms Luxuria said she had not expected such aggression in the parliament.
Born Wladimiro Guadagno, Ms Luxuria wears women's clothes but has not had sex-change surgery. A 40-year-old former drag queen and prominent gay rights activist, she was elected MP for the Communist Refoundation, a member of Prime Minister Romano Prodi's centre-left coalition, in April."
one of my sisters, if she ruled the world, the first thing she would do would be to give each human being their own toilet.
having grown up in bottom-obsessed britain, and lived many years in a hypoallergenic america; my objection to sharing toilets has nothing to do with gender, and everything to do with some kind of fear of being contaminated by, well ... i'm not really sure but it has something to do with the smells and unsavoury nature of bodily waste products. enough already!
so why did this catch my eye? i think because, while i think the complainer is totally over the top, i also had to acknowledge that my path to thinking that had to go through my own initial reaction of yuck a guy in the bathroom. this was followed by but wait a minute this is not a guy it is a woman, and then it was ok. i was just interested that i had that yuck reaction in me. i hope and trust i would not act on it. however, knowing that it is in me too (even if i choose not to act upon it), may help me to be a bit less judgemental.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
south beach part deux
o yes d & i started the south beach diet again yesterday. o the desire! o the pain! o the struggle! am currently fighting my cravings by watching old ofra haza videos on youtube.
i am drooling a lot also, although i suspect that is from the fits-all-sizes tray with which i am trying to whiten my teeth.
it is, however, hard not to drool, even if only metaphorically. walking through the supermarket yesterday, buying only permitted foods, items on the shelf called out to me ... 'pick me! eat me! you know you want to!!' honestly, i had to go and stare at the meat counter for a few minutes to calm down. today is the second day of the beginning and brutal two-week phase. am trying to lust after ofra rather than bananas but not doing too well. send 'celery is cool' thoughts (and dental floss)
i am drooling a lot also, although i suspect that is from the fits-all-sizes tray with which i am trying to whiten my teeth.
it is, however, hard not to drool, even if only metaphorically. walking through the supermarket yesterday, buying only permitted foods, items on the shelf called out to me ... 'pick me! eat me! you know you want to!!' honestly, i had to go and stare at the meat counter for a few minutes to calm down. today is the second day of the beginning and brutal two-week phase. am trying to lust after ofra rather than bananas but not doing too well. send 'celery is cool' thoughts (and dental floss)
i love cookie monster!
it took me a while to figure out what tune arik/ernie is singing since i was trying to understand the hebrew. even if your hebrew is crap, if you figure out the tune, you can basically figure out what he is singing!
Monday, October 23, 2006
a bit of hope ...
... so after writing my depressed post, i went trawling around my links. do please go look at treppenwitz - he has taught me a lot about tolerance. he might appear to be the kind of jew at the furthest end of the spectrum away from me and towards the right, yet his mind and heart are open. because of this, i am able to listen to him, instead of intolerantly dismissing him immediately.
anyway, this snippet really cheered me up. there is a second story in the post, but you'll have to go to his site to read it :-) the link is on the right.
"Monday, October 16, 2006
Small acts of kindness
[Setting: Standing on line in a bakery on Friday afternoon, casually eavesdropping on two women having a conversation behind me]
Woman 1: I'm running really late today... I wonder if they've already locked the cash registers.
Woman 2: 'Locked the cash registers?' What does that mean... they won't take our money?
W1: Yeah... basically. 30 - 45 minutes before they officially close, the owner goes around to each cash register and locks the drawers... and then goes home. The cashiers have instructions to tell anyone coming after the drawers are locked that they have no way to accept money so whatever the customers have picked out is free.
W2: I don't get it... why would the owner do that?
W1: Don't you see... it's just like in Machane Yehuda [the open air produce market in Jerusalem] where a lot of the vendors who sell perishables slash their prices an hour before closing for shabbat. That way the poor people can 'buy' the things they need for shabbat with dignity... and the vendors basically give things that can't be stored over shabbat to a worthy cause. And because some of the people doing last minute shopping really are simply running late, there is no shame for the poor because nobody knows who is who.
W2: Wait, so you're telling me it's an open secret that poor people come here during the last hour before closing and they get their baked goods for free?
W1: Exactly, only everyone's dignity is protected by the fact that some shoppers are actually running late... and by the owner's little charade of the locked cash registers. This way everyone wins; The owner of the bakery performs a 'hesed' [roughly translates as an act of kindness]... the cashiers get to take part in the act... and the recipients can just as easily be genuinely running late as poor... so there is no embarrassment to anyone at being on the receiving end of the act.
W2: [after a brief pause] Y'know... sometimes I love this country!
[Author's note: Me too!]
Posted by David Bogner on October 16, 2006"
anyway, this snippet really cheered me up. there is a second story in the post, but you'll have to go to his site to read it :-) the link is on the right.
"Monday, October 16, 2006
Small acts of kindness
[Setting: Standing on line in a bakery on Friday afternoon, casually eavesdropping on two women having a conversation behind me]
Woman 1: I'm running really late today... I wonder if they've already locked the cash registers.
Woman 2: 'Locked the cash registers?' What does that mean... they won't take our money?
W1: Yeah... basically. 30 - 45 minutes before they officially close, the owner goes around to each cash register and locks the drawers... and then goes home. The cashiers have instructions to tell anyone coming after the drawers are locked that they have no way to accept money so whatever the customers have picked out is free.
W2: I don't get it... why would the owner do that?
W1: Don't you see... it's just like in Machane Yehuda [the open air produce market in Jerusalem] where a lot of the vendors who sell perishables slash their prices an hour before closing for shabbat. That way the poor people can 'buy' the things they need for shabbat with dignity... and the vendors basically give things that can't be stored over shabbat to a worthy cause. And because some of the people doing last minute shopping really are simply running late, there is no shame for the poor because nobody knows who is who.
W2: Wait, so you're telling me it's an open secret that poor people come here during the last hour before closing and they get their baked goods for free?
W1: Exactly, only everyone's dignity is protected by the fact that some shoppers are actually running late... and by the owner's little charade of the locked cash registers. This way everyone wins; The owner of the bakery performs a 'hesed' [roughly translates as an act of kindness]... the cashiers get to take part in the act... and the recipients can just as easily be genuinely running late as poor... so there is no embarrassment to anyone at being on the receiving end of the act.
W2: [after a brief pause] Y'know... sometimes I love this country!
[Author's note: Me too!]
Posted by David Bogner on October 16, 2006"
happy families
here's a sweepingly generalised question: are there any happy families any more?
i suppose i should go back to my own archives re the discussion on the nature of happiness.
ok - how about: where are the emotionally healthy families?
look at the cheerful children in the photo. they may even be holding hands. they have just been adding their footprints to all the others way way back to the original druids. they look like they are having a fun day. 37 years later they are both miserable, lonely and chronically ill.
perhaps in the end the question should be more along the lines of: where do we find hope?
my first thought? babies and children. being with them how can i not want to do everything i can to help make sure they are safe and well?
and if you don't have one of these little elves? i know there are millions of children in need - it is just a bit harder to make that gut connection that comes from holding one in your arms.
in any case, googled 'child poverty and hunger' and saw this re the hits:
about 5,030,000 for child poverty and hunger. (0.58 seconds)
see the page here
i suppose i should go back to my own archives re the discussion on the nature of happiness.
ok - how about: where are the emotionally healthy families?
look at the cheerful children in the photo. they may even be holding hands. they have just been adding their footprints to all the others way way back to the original druids. they look like they are having a fun day. 37 years later they are both miserable, lonely and chronically ill.
perhaps in the end the question should be more along the lines of: where do we find hope?
my first thought? babies and children. being with them how can i not want to do everything i can to help make sure they are safe and well?
and if you don't have one of these little elves? i know there are millions of children in need - it is just a bit harder to make that gut connection that comes from holding one in your arms.
in any case, googled 'child poverty and hunger' and saw this re the hits:
about 5,030,000 for child poverty and hunger. (0.58 seconds)
see the page here
Saturday, October 21, 2006
something to cheer me up
found this box of old slides today, and a scanner that can scan them. in those olden golden days when we were allowed to climb all over the rocks of stonehenge, here is my father pretending, i think, to be samson :-)
sheffield wednesday 3-2 qpr
bloody hell cannot even beat a managerless team doing worse than we are (until today of course). and why are they called 'wednesday' anyway? (apparently the name comes from the wednesday cricket club whose meetings were held on wednesday afternoons, this being the official day workers were able to play sports - ed.)
a last look at berlin
one more picture from this week - piglet east of the brandenburg gate. last time we were there, the gate was covered in scaffolding. the time before, we could only view it from the west. on this day, as the sun began to set and my legs began to jellify (from a long day's walking), we took this picture.
Friday, October 20, 2006
the real thing
it's one thing looking at pictures of an edible little girl (seen here with her abba last tuesday night). it's another thing when you hold her in your arms yourself. cannot help falling in love!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
... ...
i looked at him. he looked at me. i looked some more. stood there for about 45 minutes, then got on the bus to the airport. what a great job, eh? just sit there, and be yourself, and everyone loves you for it.
this morning in berlin ...
... i passed these flamingoes on the way to the pandas. i also passed elephants (including a baby), some possible llamas, some sort of mountain goats, the entrance to the monkey house and a giraffe. the flamingoes were stunning enough to slow me down on my way to the pandas :-)
Monday, October 16, 2006
piglet and the bill
my favourite piglet pic of recent years, although i did kinda sorta cheat a little to get it in that i put on a bit of an american accent when i asked the policemen if they were allowed to be in photographs, and when they said yes, if they would please hold my pig!
off to berlin later today, perhaps maybe possibly to meet my lovely niece. send kind thoughts ...
off to berlin later today, perhaps maybe possibly to meet my lovely niece. send kind thoughts ...
Sunday, October 15, 2006
qpr 3-3 norwich
first wish was that we did not lose while i was present.
wish granted.
second wish was that i see a qpr goal.
wish granted. thrice.
there is nothing like being at mecca in person. even though j. smith is on loan from chelscum he scored for us. thank you tracy for getting me such a brilliant seat.
afterwards in the pub i was saying to someone that it could've been worse - i could be a new york yankees fan - hang on a sec, i am!
wish granted.
second wish was that i see a qpr goal.
wish granted. thrice.
there is nothing like being at mecca in person. even though j. smith is on loan from chelscum he scored for us. thank you tracy for getting me such a brilliant seat.
afterwards in the pub i was saying to someone that it could've been worse - i could be a new york yankees fan - hang on a sec, i am!
Friday, October 13, 2006
the josephus problem
just watched an episode of the bbc1 roman empire epic dealing with the judean revolt. strangely the romans vespasian and titus were very anglo-saxon and british, whereas the revolting jews - except the finely-boned ed stoppard (son of sir tom) - were rather stubbly (as opposed to the full beards observant jews might have) and a bit swarthy. mr ed was designer-stubbly, which only made him more gorgeous. o, he played josephus. anyway, were not romans italians?
while trying to remind myself whether the original josephus was as self-serving as the bbc use of his writings presented him as being, came across the following from wikipedia. i have omitted the detailed formulae - if you wish to see them, please google.
"The Josephus problem is a theoretic problem occurring in computer science and mathematics. There are n people standing in a circle waiting to be executed. After the first man is executed, k−1 people are skipped and the k-th man is executed. Then again, k−1 people are skipped and the k-th man is executed. The elimination proceeds around the circle (which is becoming smaller and smaller as the executed people are removed), until only the last man remains, who is given freedom.
The task is to choose the place in the initial circle so that you survive (remain the last one), given n and k.
The problem is named after Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian living in the 1st century. As the legend goes, he and his 40 comrade soldiers were trapped in a cave, surrounded by Romans. They chose suicide over capture and decided that they will form a circle and start killing themselves using a step of three. As Josephus did not want to die, he was able to find the safe place, and stayed alive, later joining the Romans who captured him."
while trying to remind myself whether the original josephus was as self-serving as the bbc use of his writings presented him as being, came across the following from wikipedia. i have omitted the detailed formulae - if you wish to see them, please google.
"The Josephus problem is a theoretic problem occurring in computer science and mathematics. There are n people standing in a circle waiting to be executed. After the first man is executed, k−1 people are skipped and the k-th man is executed. Then again, k−1 people are skipped and the k-th man is executed. The elimination proceeds around the circle (which is becoming smaller and smaller as the executed people are removed), until only the last man remains, who is given freedom.
The task is to choose the place in the initial circle so that you survive (remain the last one), given n and k.
The problem is named after Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian living in the 1st century. As the legend goes, he and his 40 comrade soldiers were trapped in a cave, surrounded by Romans. They chose suicide over capture and decided that they will form a circle and start killing themselves using a step of three. As Josephus did not want to die, he was able to find the safe place, and stayed alive, later joining the Romans who captured him."
the house of lords
earlier today, piglet and i went to the house of lords to have tea with my godmother, the rabbi baroness. it was lovely to see her, and exciting to be in the parts other plebs cannot reach. we followed the red carpets towards the tea-room, except for one point where the carpet was blue. j. explained that when on the blue carpet i was forbidden to speak, although she was permitted. interesting.
while at tea, j. introduced me to a gentleman who, she said, was responsible for the passage of the civil marriage law (i guess i mean the one that allowed same-sex partnerships). i looked at him and said: thank you. he looked a bit startled, and then replied gallantly: you're welcome!
life in london is o so very different.
while at tea, j. introduced me to a gentleman who, she said, was responsible for the passage of the civil marriage law (i guess i mean the one that allowed same-sex partnerships). i looked at him and said: thank you. he looked a bit startled, and then replied gallantly: you're welcome!
life in london is o so very different.
Monday, October 09, 2006
beautiful noam
... but i am rather fond of this one.
anyway, we had a wonderful lunch together. my first time at the ivy and, forbidden by n. to turn my head to look at jonathan ross and his pink-headed wife, i had to make do with the profile of the erstwhilebisto lady and occasional glimpses of miranda richardson over the shoulder of a man with enormous eyebrows. o, the food was quite lovely too :-)
life in london is o so very different.
anyway, we had a wonderful lunch together. my first time at the ivy and, forbidden by n. to turn my head to look at jonathan ross and his pink-headed wife, i had to make do with the profile of the erstwhile
life in london is o so very different.
happy birthday to noam!
ten years younger than i am again today, she wanted me to post a pic in which she looks beautiful but i cannot decide. this is our mother's official favourite ...
a proud great aunt
hoping to go to berlin next week myself, here is another shot of our special one in her berliner apartment with her berliner great aunt d.
blogging is difficult when you don't have your own computer :-(
blogging is difficult when you don't have your own computer :-(
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