Is it getting warmer?
The world cannot decide
and yet it can not hide -
from the effect of the gas.
Believe the clever lass,
Because she's never lied.
Mother Nture has said,
with a small 'm' at the head,
(because I believe in a Creator,
who Himself did make her):
Do it, or you're dead.
Cut out the emission now
And don't keep asking what, if, how?
Just use some common sense
get down off that fence.
Global warming will hit you - pow!
Individually we do our bit.
Together we really make a hit.
The old teaching of three r's
has been replaced in these hours;
Reduce, reuse - recycle it.
So what if it's warm enough to grow grapes and olives in Norwich
Not much use if we're under water.......
The world cannot decide
and yet it can not hide -
from the effect of the gas.
Believe the clever lass,
Because she's never lied.
Mother Nture has said,
with a small 'm' at the head,
(because I believe in a Creator,
who Himself did make her):
Do it, or you're dead.
Cut out the emission now
And don't keep asking what, if, how?
Just use some common sense
get down off that fence.
Global warming will hit you - pow!
Individually we do our bit.
Together we really make a hit.
The old teaching of three r's
has been replaced in these hours;
Reduce, reuse - recycle it.
So what if it's warm enough to grow grapes and olives in Norwich
Not much use if we're under water.......
Digging
At some point the ones in the know say that one, presumably one not in the know, should dig over the potato patch. And plant. The ones that are in the know already know, so don't need to be told. The ones who don't have a potato patch don't need to know and so don't need to be told. I'm told.
I'm told it's Good Friday.
I did some digging yesterday. And some will know that being January it's no where near Good Friday, nor do I have a potato patch. Nor am I a particularly keen or good gardener. But I do like potatoes, roast, creamed, chipped etc etc.
The digging yesterday wasn't very successful. I was trying to dig some dirt from a friend on another friend. I didn't know until yesterday that my two friends new each other, and were friends. Ish. It's weird when stuff like that happens. Anyway, neither friend had any dirt for me on the other. So I'll have to find something else to dig if I want any dirt.
If I eventually do dig some dirt, I know that the best thing to do would be to plant some potatoes.
At some point the ones in the know say that one, presumably one not in the know, should dig over the potato patch. And plant. The ones that are in the know already know, so don't need to be told. The ones who don't have a potato patch don't need to know and so don't need to be told. I'm told.
I'm told it's Good Friday.
I did some digging yesterday. And some will know that being January it's no where near Good Friday, nor do I have a potato patch. Nor am I a particularly keen or good gardener. But I do like potatoes, roast, creamed, chipped etc etc.
The digging yesterday wasn't very successful. I was trying to dig some dirt from a friend on another friend. I didn't know until yesterday that my two friends new each other, and were friends. Ish. It's weird when stuff like that happens. Anyway, neither friend had any dirt for me on the other. So I'll have to find something else to dig if I want any dirt.
If I eventually do dig some dirt, I know that the best thing to do would be to plant some potatoes.
A few thoughts for pondering
How long will I be able to keep playing squash?
I won today(lucky)
Therefore I enjoyed today - the whole day!
But my knees, legs, arms, etc ache now.
I'm going to London tomorrow.
Will it be cold/smelly/busy/expensive/worth it?
Or will is be bright/cheerful/productive/thriving/exciting?
I've just watched the news.
Do I care if a high profile member of parliament lies? (yes)
Do I care about his sexuality? (no)
Do I care that he's having a hard time? (yes, I guess)
Do I have much sympathy? (no, none)
Should I get an iPod?
Should I get a LCD flat screen TV
Should I buy a ticket to win £100 million quid tomorrow night
Pondering over.
How long will I be able to keep playing squash?
I won today(lucky)
Therefore I enjoyed today - the whole day!
But my knees, legs, arms, etc ache now.
I'm going to London tomorrow.
Will it be cold/smelly/busy/expensive/worth it?
Or will is be bright/cheerful/productive/thriving/exciting?
I've just watched the news.
Do I care if a high profile member of parliament lies? (yes)
Do I care about his sexuality? (no)
Do I care that he's having a hard time? (yes, I guess)
Do I have much sympathy? (no, none)
Should I get an iPod?
Should I get a LCD flat screen TV
Should I buy a ticket to win £100 million quid tomorrow night
Pondering over.
What a day -of news!
We are running out of gas and oil
We will be importing gas from Russia
We have seen various countries in the Russian / Georgia / Ukraine region blowing up gas pipes
We have been spying on Russia, for fun.
Mobile phones are taking over our lives
Mobile phones allow us to know where everybody is
Mobile phones take video pictures
Mobile thugs use mobile phones to video mobile beatings and killings, for fun.
We don't recycle our rubbish
We don't harness the free energy in wind, waves and tide
We don't walk to school, shops, church or the pub
We do drive, pollute, speed, for fun.
Fortunately, for balance, we have turned our fun
into the biggest news, biggest scandal, biggest corruption and biggest debate of our times.
Don't we just love football.
Today I forgot
Today I forgot my password,
Yes, you heard, my password.
Big deal? Well I began
To panic
Head span
Hot flush
No fan.
I was my fault kind of.
I gave my computer a clean.
Some nasty blogger was mean.
He'd dropped some bad cookie,
which I hadn't seen.
But then I did
and wiped it off.
With a whole load of
other stuff.
But now I remember
my password
and I'm back on-line
and watching this time.
Today I forgot my password,
Yes, you heard, my password.
Big deal? Well I began
To panic
Head span
Hot flush
No fan.
I was my fault kind of.
I gave my computer a clean.
Some nasty blogger was mean.
He'd dropped some bad cookie,
which I hadn't seen.
But then I did
and wiped it off.
With a whole load of
other stuff.
But now I remember
my password
and I'm back on-line
and watching this time.
Right ?
When you write copy, you own the right of copyright to the copy you write, if the copy is right. If, however, your copy falls over, you must right your copy. If you write religious services, you write rite, and own the right of copyright to the rite you write.
Conservatives write Right copy, and own the right of copyright, to the Right copy they write. A right-wing cleric would write Right rite, and owns the right of copyright to the Right rite he has the right to write. His editor has the job of making the Right rite copy right before the copyright can be right.
Should Reverend Jim Wright decide to write Right rite, then Wright would write right rite, to which Wright has the right of copyright. Duplicating his rite would be to copy Wright's Right rite, and violate copyright, to which Wright would have the right to right.
Right?
When you write copy, you own the right of copyright to the copy you write, if the copy is right. If, however, your copy falls over, you must right your copy. If you write religious services, you write rite, and own the right of copyright to the rite you write.
Conservatives write Right copy, and own the right of copyright, to the Right copy they write. A right-wing cleric would write Right rite, and owns the right of copyright to the Right rite he has the right to write. His editor has the job of making the Right rite copy right before the copyright can be right.
Should Reverend Jim Wright decide to write Right rite, then Wright would write right rite, to which Wright has the right of copyright. Duplicating his rite would be to copy Wright's Right rite, and violate copyright, to which Wright would have the right to right.
Right?
Never give up
Those of you who know me well, know that I love frogs.
Bizarre, but true.
Anyhow - you might be reading my blog in the hope that one day you might find something interesting hidden within it.
I say to you, learn from this frog, and never give up. Keep on reading.
A frog was hopping around a farmyard, when it decided to investigate the barn. Being somewhat careless, and maybe a little too curious, he ended up falling into a bucket half-filled with fresh milk.
As he swam about attempting to reach the top of the bucket, he found that the sides were too high and steep to reach the top. He tried to stretch his back legs to push off the bottom of the bucket but found it too deep.
But this frog was determined not to give up, and he continued to struggle.
He kicked and squirmed and kicked and squirmed, until at last, all his churning about in the milk had turned the milk into a big hunk of butter - solid enough for him to climb up and hop out!
Those of you who know me well, know that I love frogs.
Bizarre, but true.
Anyhow - you might be reading my blog in the hope that one day you might find something interesting hidden within it.
I say to you, learn from this frog, and never give up. Keep on reading.
A frog was hopping around a farmyard, when it decided to investigate the barn. Being somewhat careless, and maybe a little too curious, he ended up falling into a bucket half-filled with fresh milk.
As he swam about attempting to reach the top of the bucket, he found that the sides were too high and steep to reach the top. He tried to stretch his back legs to push off the bottom of the bucket but found it too deep.
But this frog was determined not to give up, and he continued to struggle.
He kicked and squirmed and kicked and squirmed, until at last, all his churning about in the milk had turned the milk into a big hunk of butter - solid enough for him to climb up and hop out!
To cut or not to cut
Today 'twas by birthday.
I spent it at work.
Which was and is fine - I guess.
Two goodies were speaking at the mini conference at which I spent my birthday morning - this morning. Goodies being leaders who talk a lot of sense, know where 'the people' are going and then start walking in front of them.
In between the goodies, during quiet moments of mulling, I mulled about the fact that, of the boys in the audience, 4 had ties on, out of about 40. That I believe is 10%. Unheard of. I'm desperate. This time last year it was only 5% and moving in the right direction.
More concerning was that of all the boys, I was the boy with the longest hair. I checked all 40. So I've spent lots of the day wondering whether to cut, or not to cut. I will continue pondering this issue.
Today 'twas by birthday.
I spent it at work.
Which was and is fine - I guess.
Two goodies were speaking at the mini conference at which I spent my birthday morning - this morning. Goodies being leaders who talk a lot of sense, know where 'the people' are going and then start walking in front of them.
In between the goodies, during quiet moments of mulling, I mulled about the fact that, of the boys in the audience, 4 had ties on, out of about 40. That I believe is 10%. Unheard of. I'm desperate. This time last year it was only 5% and moving in the right direction.
More concerning was that of all the boys, I was the boy with the longest hair. I checked all 40. So I've spent lots of the day wondering whether to cut, or not to cut. I will continue pondering this issue.
STOP
Are you about to start, are you in the middle, are you in danger of ending?
A good relationship (or friendship or team).
These four points may help. DON'T :
S - Score points (don't defend yourself by changing the subject, "well you did this....")
T - Think the worst (don't assume people are out to get you, "flowers? what's he done wrong")
O - Opt out (don't walk away from a difficult discussion, "I don't want to talk about it now")
P - Put down (don't insult, "you fool")
Instead, how about:
"So, what I did was this.......and I really upset you...."
"Thanks for being so thoughtful, roses are my ...."
"OK, l really want to talk about this.... let's have coffee tomorrow...."
"Pretty good idea that, keep going...."
So, if I use any of these types of expression in the next few weeks (before I forget it all) you'll know where I'm coming from!
Are you about to start, are you in the middle, are you in danger of ending?
A good relationship (or friendship or team).
These four points may help. DON'T :
S - Score points (don't defend yourself by changing the subject, "well you did this....")
T - Think the worst (don't assume people are out to get you, "flowers? what's he done wrong")
O - Opt out (don't walk away from a difficult discussion, "I don't want to talk about it now")
P - Put down (don't insult, "you fool")
Instead, how about:
"So, what I did was this.......and I really upset you...."
"Thanks for being so thoughtful, roses are my ...."
"OK, l really want to talk about this.... let's have coffee tomorrow...."
"Pretty good idea that, keep going...."
So, if I use any of these types of expression in the next few weeks (before I forget it all) you'll know where I'm coming from!
Lean on me"Lean on me, when you're not strong, and I'll be your friend,
I'll help you carry on. For it won't be long, 'till I'm gonna
need somebody to lean on".
Famous chorus from a famous (relatively) Al Green song.
Maybe we all do need someone to lean on. If that is the same thing as putting your faith on or in somebody or something. I know I've lent of people in the past. But whilst all those people have been lovely, kind and helpful - there is only really one person we can lean on. One person who is strong enough to support the whole world (He created it after all)
On Sunday I heard about some famous delusions that people have put their faith in, leading to their untimely deaths. Yes, in hindsight and with our clever clever 21st century thinking we may well laugh (tee hee), but aren't we all, even today, tending to put our faith in some pretty flimsy illusions. I for one am going to try and become a touch less deluded.
Eye-sight or maybe memory test
Today I was embarrassed.
Worse than that, I was embarrassed twice.
And the day before, Sunday, it happened again.
(Actually, it can't have happened 'again' on the day before, I've got my logic order wrong here - no wonder I was never a very good computer programmer!)
Why is it that my brain can't bring up vital information at the right time.
All three occasions, and there have been many more over the months, I saw (and chatted to) somebody who I have never seen before, who I don't know - and never have known.
And yet .........they know me!
They know when we met, what we talked about, why, the outcomes, and no doubt have a lasting impression of me. How wrong those impressions must be.
How can I tell them they are mistaken!
And how come there are so many of them all making the same mistake. Crazy lot.
Today I was embarrassed.
Worse than that, I was embarrassed twice.
And the day before, Sunday, it happened again.
(Actually, it can't have happened 'again' on the day before, I've got my logic order wrong here - no wonder I was never a very good computer programmer!)
Why is it that my brain can't bring up vital information at the right time.
All three occasions, and there have been many more over the months, I saw (and chatted to) somebody who I have never seen before, who I don't know - and never have known.
And yet .........they know me!
They know when we met, what we talked about, why, the outcomes, and no doubt have a lasting impression of me. How wrong those impressions must be.
How can I tell them they are mistaken!
And how come there are so many of them all making the same mistake. Crazy lot.
A riddle
During the day today I did some work.
The postman also brought some Christmas thank-you letters.
Tonight I watched a film with Bill Murray and the lovely Scarlett Johansson.
What have these things all got in common? A good question. And I'm going to help you answer the riddle.
At work I tried hard to understand a question which I have to answer. I think it was the word 'ubiquitous' that threw me. It was just too much for a Friday. These worrying words seem to get everywhere these days.
The letters were cool. Cool because they were from some lovely people who live a long way away. But they do speak and write in English. Because they live along way away their English is different to mine. But I think I know what they were saying. "We love you Stevie.g" is my guess.
The film was set in Japan. It was good. But few people (well, none actually) understood the Japanese types.
Have you got it yet.
I'm talking about translation.
All three were in English, but it was so difficult to understand. Words. Words. Words.
A verbis ad verbera
The film has a happy ending. Lost In Translation. The two stars overcame their differences (about 25 years) and showed that it possible to understand each other without words. How cool is that.
During the day today I did some work.
The postman also brought some Christmas thank-you letters.
Tonight I watched a film with Bill Murray and the lovely Scarlett Johansson.
What have these things all got in common? A good question. And I'm going to help you answer the riddle.
At work I tried hard to understand a question which I have to answer. I think it was the word 'ubiquitous' that threw me. It was just too much for a Friday. These worrying words seem to get everywhere these days.
The letters were cool. Cool because they were from some lovely people who live a long way away. But they do speak and write in English. Because they live along way away their English is different to mine. But I think I know what they were saying. "We love you Stevie.g" is my guess.
The film was set in Japan. It was good. But few people (well, none actually) understood the Japanese types.
Have you got it yet.
I'm talking about translation.
All three were in English, but it was so difficult to understand. Words. Words. Words.
A verbis ad verbera
The film has a happy ending. Lost In Translation. The two stars overcame their differences (about 25 years) and showed that it possible to understand each other without words. How cool is that.
A tasty cupToday I was busy. And I found time for a lovely cup of coffee.
Yesterday I wasn't so busy. And I found time for a lovely cup of coffee.
Tomorrow? Who knows. But I will find time for a lovely cup of coffee.
So why do I love coffee. It could be the buzz. It could be the smell. It could be the warmth. It could be the flavour. It could be the added flavour (vanilla is good).
More likely it's the time. Either time to think, or time to talk. I prefer the talking coffee. I had a good talking coffee today. Which was actually chocolate for one of us.
So why does coffee make us talk. I don't think it does. Someone clever can correct me here. I think it's the sitting down, the relaxing, the atmosphere that makes us talk. It's good to talk. Therefore coffee is good.
Being totally honest, I prefer a nice cup of tea. I'm English. Talking tea is even better.
A second thought
Africa has 26 million people living with HIV. Over 3 million new infections in 2005. And 2.4 million died that year. (In the UK, 60,000 people living with HIV).
On the other hand, Turkey, as of today, 11 January 2006, has 12 people infected with the 'bird' flu virus, with 2 deaths.
So take a guess. Which story has been on the TV and radio news most this week. And which story have you been most aware of, reading about, thinking about and worrying about? 26,000,000 or 12.
And then ask, why are we like we are. What is it that makes us obsessed with the flu story when the world around us is falling to pieces. Is it that we think it might effect us personally. Or maybe it's because we only think about what we're told to think about.
And then ask why has steve-ee-g got so serious all of a sudden. I'll tell you why. Because I actually took a couple of minutes out this evening to think about it. I don't often think about stuff like this. It's far too scary.
Africa has 26 million people living with HIV. Over 3 million new infections in 2005. And 2.4 million died that year. (In the UK, 60,000 people living with HIV).
On the other hand, Turkey, as of today, 11 January 2006, has 12 people infected with the 'bird' flu virus, with 2 deaths.
So take a guess. Which story has been on the TV and radio news most this week. And which story have you been most aware of, reading about, thinking about and worrying about? 26,000,000 or 12.
And then ask, why are we like we are. What is it that makes us obsessed with the flu story when the world around us is falling to pieces. Is it that we think it might effect us personally. Or maybe it's because we only think about what we're told to think about.
And then ask why has steve-ee-g got so serious all of a sudden. I'll tell you why. Because I actually took a couple of minutes out this evening to think about it. I don't often think about stuff like this. It's far too scary.
Empire strikes back
If you look hard enough there is something interesting to see, to speak, to study, every single day. Today was an interesting day. For me. Mostly in the spoken sense and from a work perspective.
Today we had a 'reorganization' We haven't had one for quite some time - about six months - so I guess one was due. This interesting reorganization was merging two rather large empires into one much larger empire. So now the head honcho really is the big cheese. Not only that , he's my big cheese - assuming that someone, who reports to someone, who reports to someone, who reports to someone, thinks that "I'm worth it". I hope they do.
There's a hymn that is sometimes sung "Lord for the Years" which talks (sings) about praying for the Empire (later versions downsized this to Commonwealth). I've never liked it. I like more Spike Milligan's comment on receiving his CBE: "I can't see the sense in it [his honorary CBE] really. It makes me a Commander of the British Empire. They might as well make me a Commander of Milton Keynes - at least that exists.
Beware of captaining big empires which might (no, which will) one day crumble.
If you look hard enough there is something interesting to see, to speak, to study, every single day. Today was an interesting day. For me. Mostly in the spoken sense and from a work perspective.
Today we had a 'reorganization' We haven't had one for quite some time - about six months - so I guess one was due. This interesting reorganization was merging two rather large empires into one much larger empire. So now the head honcho really is the big cheese. Not only that , he's my big cheese - assuming that someone, who reports to someone, who reports to someone, who reports to someone, thinks that "I'm worth it". I hope they do.
There's a hymn that is sometimes sung "Lord for the Years" which talks (sings) about praying for the Empire (later versions downsized this to Commonwealth). I've never liked it. I like more Spike Milligan's comment on receiving his CBE: "I can't see the sense in it [his honorary CBE] really. It makes me a Commander of the British Empire. They might as well make me a Commander of Milton Keynes - at least that exists.
Beware of captaining big empires which might (no, which will) one day crumble.
Why can't I ?
I'm not sure why I can't, to be honest. Why did I say that? It implies that I'm not always honest. But I still don't know why. Maybe it's something to do with my age. I find that my reactions are gradually getting slower. Aannnd slloooower. A nd ssssssslooooooooow er. Having said that, I'm sure that there are loads of people my age who can. Maybe it's because I'm just not good enough. Maybe it's not about me (now there's a thought). Maybe it's them. They are good. Very good. In fact to beat me at indoor table tennis, both my teenagers must be very very good.
Becoming an empty nester (that's how clever marketing people categorize me, or place me in a segment - a box) actually fills me with a certain amount of dread. I'm feeling emotions which I didn't expect to feel. And I don't think I like them. The emotions. I'm going to talk abut them over the next few weeks. Then you too will know what's it's like being on the journey to becoming an empty nester.
I'm not sure why I can't, to be honest. Why did I say that? It implies that I'm not always honest. But I still don't know why. Maybe it's something to do with my age. I find that my reactions are gradually getting slower. Aannnd slloooower. A nd ssssssslooooooooow er. Having said that, I'm sure that there are loads of people my age who can. Maybe it's because I'm just not good enough. Maybe it's not about me (now there's a thought). Maybe it's them. They are good. Very good. In fact to beat me at indoor table tennis, both my teenagers must be very very good.
Becoming an empty nester (that's how clever marketing people categorize me, or place me in a segment - a box) actually fills me with a certain amount of dread. I'm feeling emotions which I didn't expect to feel. And I don't think I like them. The emotions. I'm going to talk abut them over the next few weeks. Then you too will know what's it's like being on the journey to becoming an empty nester.
Favourite Tipple
I think mine has to be a fine red wine. I don't really like cheap and nasty with a hint of vinegar.
The question is though, how much to have. I think two to three glasses is ok, isn't it? But only in one of the following situations:
a) before breakfast ?
b) at lunch time when I'm working ?
c) two or three times per week, with dinner ?
d) every day ?
e) before driving ?
I'm guessing you know the answer.
What about poor Mr Kennedy, leader (currently) of the Lib Dems. He is certainly pretty bold to admit his problem, in public, today. Would any of us be so brave. About any of our problems, drink or otherwise. I suggest not. I've not even admitted to my world class wife that I pinched some fudge out of her tin yesterday!
So will he (Mr K) survive. I think not. But I thought Mr Blunkett would, so what do I know!
Worst day of the year
This is what 'them that are in the know' say about today - the first day back at work for most office workers. Well, it was my first day back after the Christmas and New Year festivities. And was is the worst day of the year? Well, to be fair, yes! But then we've only had three days so far.
What was bad about it. Well:
..... It was cold, grey and drizzling outside.
..... The office was stuffy and far too hot.
..... And it smelt
..... I couldn't concentrate
..... The same set of unread emails were still staring out at me from the screen.
To name but a few reasons.
I found a fan, some cold water.
Tomorrow all will be well again.
This is what 'them that are in the know' say about today - the first day back at work for most office workers. Well, it was my first day back after the Christmas and New Year festivities. And was is the worst day of the year? Well, to be fair, yes! But then we've only had three days so far.
What was bad about it. Well:
..... It was cold, grey and drizzling outside.
..... The office was stuffy and far too hot.
..... And it smelt
..... I couldn't concentrate
..... The same set of unread emails were still staring out at me from the screen.
To name but a few reasons.
I found a fan, some cold water.
Tomorrow all will be well again.
Aren't they cuteNot sure if this is a question or a statement. A statement I think. These two were on the beach yesterday. There were others too. The baby had been slurping on mother's milk, so maybe she was cleaning her calf's mouth. Or maybe see was saying "now now, that's enough dear or you'll sink". More likely "when are you going to start on solids?" If you like, why not leave your comment on what she's saying.
So convenient that seals have their pups are the start of the year. I get so confused with mid year birthdays because I never know if you're old, nearly old, or definitely old.
Pirates of the New Year
We all know about those Deppish pirates of the Caribbean, but thanks to Andrew for explaining to me why (perhaps) the classical pirate always wears an eye patch. And the reason may have us all wearing one too.
Well, it's not that they all have reticent retinas, of pitiful pupils, or even irritated irises. In fact there's nothing wrong with their eyes at all. It's so that their eyes become supernaturally sensitive - so that when they need to, they can see in the dark. As the pirate slides alongside another unsuspecting ship in the night, off comes the patch, and hey presto, to the newly exposed eye all seems as clear as daylight. And the deed (nasty no doubt) is done.
So, if I put on a metaphorical patch, maybe when all around me gets a bit dark, and unclear, I can whip it off and I suddenly be able to make much more sense of what is around me.
And what's around me at the moment is a bit of a thick head - having enjoyed great wine late into the night. So you see, it's not true, the French can do something well. Happy New Year everyone!
We all know about those Deppish pirates of the Caribbean, but thanks to Andrew for explaining to me why (perhaps) the classical pirate always wears an eye patch. And the reason may have us all wearing one too.
Well, it's not that they all have reticent retinas, of pitiful pupils, or even irritated irises. In fact there's nothing wrong with their eyes at all. It's so that their eyes become supernaturally sensitive - so that when they need to, they can see in the dark. As the pirate slides alongside another unsuspecting ship in the night, off comes the patch, and hey presto, to the newly exposed eye all seems as clear as daylight. And the deed (nasty no doubt) is done.
So, if I put on a metaphorical patch, maybe when all around me gets a bit dark, and unclear, I can whip it off and I suddenly be able to make much more sense of what is around me.
And what's around me at the moment is a bit of a thick head - having enjoyed great wine late into the night. So you see, it's not true, the French can do something well. Happy New Year everyone!
