Thoughts

Heartfelt condolences, thoughts and best wishes with the people of L'Aquila.

Sometimes governments are quick and speedy enough to get things done; other times lumbering bureaucracy and face saving get in the way of helping to rebuild.

There are many ways of keeping up to date with the current level of disasters occurring around the globe, and for more than a five minute hand wringing and further information:

• Relief Web  part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
• International Committee of the Red Cross
• The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)

Make a difference, get involved.

Pension stakes bilious bile

Would the backlash and floggings so many fervently wish to heap up against the ex-masters of the universe have been so great, had the banks (retail) and bankers not been so adamant about the righteousness and moral certitude of the overdraft fees and interest charges, they said everyone who had the audacity should expect as a penalty for been lax with their money.

On that level, with the way they forecast this historic record breaking run, they should be put in stocks for at least two years and pelted on a regular basis with: turnips, offal, fed the weakest of gruel, and then have all their assets foreclosed on.

Good to see the shareholders of rbs, voting by a whopping 90% to register disapproval, a shame more didn't vote in previous years.  True the talent might have flown to other institutions, but then there still might have been an independent non-merged bank.  And with this sort of talent spotting, i'd rather try my luck winning the national-lottery jackpot prize four times in a row.

So, in the great unemployment banking stakes

poor average-pay sods: 29,999  vs.  really rich trouter: 1
(or put another way,
newly unemployed rbs employee: £3,343.60p pa.  vs.  ex-head-trout:  £702,000 pa.)

But, could the whole financial meltdown have a silver lining?

The very first paragraph of the first page of the executive summary of the ipcc climate change and water says:

"observational  records  and  climate  projections  provide  abundant  evidence  that  freshwater  resources are  vulnerable  and  have  the  potential  to  be  strongly  impacted  by  climate  change,  with  wide-ranging consequences for human societies and ecosystems."

executive summary, ipcc, climate change & water 2008.

With so much freshwater used for industrial/farming use, maybe this will allow us some breathing space to speed up alternative energy creation, improve energy use efficiency, and drastically reduce the waste we lax consumers in so many countries create.

... now where's that picture again ...

Quitting smoking?

I've given up smoking. 

Well I say given up.  I am on the cusp of the fifth week without lighting up or having the remotest inclination of inhaling one. 

Do I feel any better?

I've been smoking for the last 24 years.   Ranging anywhere from 10 cigs per day to over a 100 fags when socially stress-pressed.   And then one day, four weeks ago, I stopped.  Stopped without needing the usual cold, flu or other bodily ailment as an excuse to refrain from the mad morning scramble of opening a packet, lighting up and inhaling along with my first coffee of the day. 

Ate far less though, as breakfast all the way through till lunch simply comprised of cigarettes and large barrels of coffee.

I thought I'd look and see what health benefits would occur under this newly discovered additional bout of abstinence that's joined the ones of sex, recreational helpers, and the way its going - alcohol, all careering off into the distance, without a religious conversion anywhere in sight!

Time	The theory	The actual
20 minutes	Blood pressure and pulse returns to normal.	From all the blood pressure and pulse tests I have had done in the past, better than most non-smokers let alone smokers.	no
8 hours	Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by ½, oxygen levels return to normal and circulation improves.	Oxygen and carbo levels were always very good.	no
24 hours	Carbon monoxide and nicotine levels are eliminated from the body.	Never noticed anything different here.	no
48 hours	Ability to taste and smell improves.	Well i can certainly begin to smell london. Didn't realise people bathed in cologne or perfume. Or seemingly nothing at all. Ewwww!	not sure
3 days	Breathing becomes easier as your bronchial tubes begin to relax.	Stopped sounding like a slightly old steam train first thing in the morning, so that's been a plus.	yes
Few days	Fingers lose their yellow stains and skin looks better.	Never ever had those yellow stained fingers. But could have been mistaken for one of the greys from roswell on a muggy dawn.	maybe
1 month	Appearance improves, skin loses greyish pallor and becomes less wrinkled.	A few days to go for this one, but the way the body's deciding to break out and looking more like a relief map of a rice pudding bowl, i'm starting to have my doubts.	starting to
3 – 9 months	Coughing and wheezing declines.	Shall wait and see.	tbc
1 year	Risk of heart attack reduces by half compared to that of a smoker.	As above.	tbc
10 years	Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker.	As before.	tbc
15 years	Risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a non-smoker.	Aren't I dead or uploaded yet!	tbc

I do seem to need more sleep - if that were possible. But that would cut into the 16 hours I spend in front of the computer screen, anyway. 

Eating more, but have cut down on alcohol, down from 1818+units (and had to check a couple of times to make sure) a month to less than 15 units a month.   The upshot is that i will have to take up some form of exercise; there's only so much leeway hereditary genetics will allow the body, before it irrecoverably passes beyond pear shape. 

On this the turn of a cusp week i'm starting to feel something hinting of a beneficial turn, the skin is starting to feel as if its mine again. 

Along with that, the past few months have seen an increase in the flats population of greenery. Help combat the diesel/petrol fumes pouring in from the street as well as gaseous exhausts from my ever increasing bean-laden diet, by adding wonderful surplus amounts of oxygen into the air.  But just in case it does, I'll need to take more antioxidants (fruit/veg and vitamin/mineral supplementation) to combat the potential increase in free radical.

p45's

Amused by the increasing appearance on tv of people who have joined the lengthening unemployment queues. My advise?  Don't worry or panic. It will only become unmanageable if you really let it get to you.  Cut down what you can, cut out what you can sensibly cut out, ensure you eat properly.  As if you let that go, you could end up as a dreaded er statistic.

Liberty?

Sigh. The laudable cry of sovereignty once more rings out as new eu elections are set to take place, in less than three months time.

It's always worrying listening to people who are more intent of talking over and interrupting people to ensure their point is heard when cameras are rolling.  But who's interest does the multi-mill/billionaire business leaders serve, since very rarely does it appear to truly benefit the general populace?  Oh right theirs. No doubt someone somewhere will believe its a microsoft or chinese or russian plot to derail and destabilise the eu powerhouse from the inside.

There must be many people in constituent countries who are able to name ten members of their parliamentary betters and at least five of their eu reps. Why, here in the uk there's jacqs, gord, vince, dave (at least six of them), and for the eu, there's... er.... where's me list...

But when the time arrives i'll have read the blurbs, gone with me guts and scratched my green name; so later down the line I can say "I was robbed" and "that was a bloody wasted vote" with a modicum of self-righteous contentedness.

Yippee!  By 2018 every new built building in the eu will be required to produce as much energy as they consume.  2018?  Nine years time?  The rise in sea-level will probably have put paid to that, as the mad scramble to build-build-build to relocate coastline refugees picks up a soggy pace, and the last thing people will be thinking about is "does it have a pump!"  Just give everyone a windmill-hat and solar powered kinetic boots.

A europe any fundamental corporate fascist would be proud of

If that's not you, click below

"The European Parliament may be about to surrender absolute power over the Internet to the telecom operators.

Under the false premise that market and competition rules will solve all problems, MEPs are about to agree to "Net discrimination" in amendments pushed by AT&T, the UK and French governments..."

Oh blimey

Blimey, I can almost feel one coming.

But in the meantime here's a quick peek...

On other unrelated peeks...

"Right then, let's sort out these training schemes. Who first for a certificate learning how to open a newspaper and turn a page? What, no takers? Okay how about learning how to answer the telephone? No!!! You people are never satisfied."

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away and hours apart ...

"Who wants to do nanotechnology or bio-technology and xenotectonics before taking a break?"

And a happy new year

I would like to think that 2009 would bring a newly found level of inspired politics, hope and decision making.

But the past 2009 years (going from the christian calendar), haven't exactly brought much in the way of new year peace, happiness, contentedness or well being for the globes population.  Naturally such a sweeping statement doesn't affect a small minority, who will always be fine - regardless.  The vast majority however, will continue to be sidetracked by the petty existence of every day survival, higher loftier thoughts only mulled over by those with the time, the space, the wherewithal to contemplate and hopefully distill, nourishing nuggets down to the rest of us.

So, despite evidence to the contrary, here's to wishing everyone a wonderful and fantastic 2009.

Government and "yeehaw" training

In this day and age you would think the governments "joined up thinking" would have a included the sensible approach to making sure the increasing millions soon to hit the dole queues, would be eligible to have training.

You know, to keep their skills up. To ensure that when the country pops out of the depression, we'll be in fighting fit form to take on the world and hold our own with a huge array of newly trained and qualified people champing at the bit with a new found vigour, highly toned skills and boundless reams of energy.

You would have thought!

Sadly, this government thinks otherwise and from september 2009 are bringing in a bizarre system, where they will provide funds for people to be trained. They will actually provide 100% of the funding. But with one small proviso. They will give the training providers 20% of the training costs up front. And then (and here's the kicker) they will fund the other 80% once (so making the magic sum of 100%), the unemployed person has found gainful employment within 6 months of them finishing the training course and been unemployed for 6 months.

So? I hear the cry go up, they're getting training, providers are getting paid?

Well imagine this scenario. You're at work and your bosses come up with a scheme, where instead of you getting paid your monthly salary all in one foul swoop, they give you 20%, and say that if you do a really good job and bring in outstanding results at the 1/2 yearly review stage they'll give you the other 80% of your salary in six months time, if you can keep it up.

Happy with it now?

The governments cack-handed approach to this has of course meant that meaningful providers who would have given the unemployed meaningful achievable training routes back into employment or self-employment, are now pulling out in droves. Leaving the really bad, or the ones who can use this now endless supply of even cheaper labour (as they'll get even more money into their coffers), as the only things left for those seriously unemployed; who could well end up to be a new underclass, permanently pinned on the spokes of poverty.

This might have worked when the economy was booming and bust defeated, and jobs were like confetti on ticker tape day. But in the current cooling clime, it is one of the worst ideas they have come up and stuck with.

Once people realise it, the ranks of the disaffected and jump-shippers could finally become a stampede.

Naturally when it is brought in and fails, they will blame the providers for not living up to the schemes expectations. Instead of them standing up, throwing their hands in the air and just going "yep, we cocked up."

This is nothing but a rear-guard action, by a rear-guard rump of a government, for which everyone else is to blame for everything's that happening, and they happily waft about losing the precious few tenuous grips on reality that they once had.

The one happy thought which trickles through peoples mind is, like dust in a storm, they'll be summarily kicked out of power come the prevailing electoral wind. Will things get any better afterwards? Oh where is my sick bag.

We are interconnected as never before. Our prioritise used to be small; the family, the village, the town, the city, the county, then the country states. But we've reached a stage where what happens on one side of the world, will in seconds impact the another. We have to think of ourselves as global citizens, and not the old insular back-biting, back stabbing, parochial entities of old. We have to go beyond the "every person for themselves" motto as that's plainly failed, in all its iterations.

"We are a species that goes beyond our limitations," says Ray Kurzweil. A shame governments religions, and fundamental fruitbats try to place so many restrictions hindering the pace of change, pace of development and pace of fairness for the whole of humankind.

And talking of wheels coming off wagons. Oh dear. Is this already the start of the end, of the obama love-in?

And in keeping with the time of diy, here's my wee little homage to the season of happiness.

Another

With minutes to spare

Just when it looks as if the second brain cells died, it kicks back into life, and with minutes to spare.  So here it is...

Another look at the special christmas countdown; as doom and gloom is scattered around with more liberal abandonment, than anyone knows what to do with.

End of year thoughts - part iii

As good as seeing water turned to wine and world peace announced would be, things just won't be the same.

1. The few remaining doctors discover a new form of hallucinogenic mushroom growing in the dampness of reservoirs used by the ruling elite in zimbabwe for their drinking water; but are shot as traitors, when they try to administer detox programs.
   
2. England win a cricket series 5-0.  The hedgehog cricket series.
   
3. Sterling plunges to an all time low against a basket of currencies, as a journalist breaks a remarkable story.  Clambering down a beanstalk, the out of breath daring reporter babbled a story about gold reserves and egg shapes!
   
4. China, now the worlds cameras have gone, continues its rounding up of dissidents.  But unlike the old days, dissidents now have greater options under the march towards equality; to be used as canon shot, or as the target.
   
5. The un officially declares zimbabwe a dead zone and launches a scathing attack on some of its spineless neighbours.
   
6. During the christmas address, the queen experiences momentary confusion and recalls the good old days of blair, sorry thatcher, no atlee.
   
7. With the lack of after-office appointments, dinner invitations, or even publishing deals coming his way.  Ex-pres george does a 30 second television advert for clark's shoes.
   
8. Fat people are people, who simply have a medical problem - they can't keep their mouths shut.
   
9. On an unrelated note, a growing number of dentists have been spotted lurking outside the doors of the nations fast food joints, as a new points system for wiring peoples jaw shut, comes into force.
   
10. There is huge rejoicing in the union at the outlawing of slavery.  Sadly the british government blows hearty raspberries in the direction of the rest of the continent, and says it's their prerogative to ensure the peasants are flogged before work, flogged during work and flogged twice after work.  Just to make sure they're working.

But onto a more festive theme...

Ah where's my precious

After spending two days zombified mortified and petrified, with time zipping off into the sunset, the count continues.

Some currencies are up, some are down.  More murders, killings, rapes, pillaging, plots, stabbing's, charity, love and hope.  More nano, less nano, better medicines, more lawsuits.  There are now more people in the world with more time on their hands.  More time to relax and look back on those hectic years of madness they've wasted.  Some to enjoy the freedom of their gardens, some to spend the time idling behind firm barred doors pretending to be lucy, and yet others soldering on hoping for the time of change.

Think that about sums it up for the past couple of days.

 

Trips through twilight thrice

The journey through twilight land takes on an ever stranger twist.  As the minority, who take drugs, are vilified by the majority (according to figures plucked randomly from news headlines), but taking drugs (which have unspecified/mixed results) for the new application of boosting intelligence, instead of been branded as frankensteinian, for unnatural tampering with the natural processes, are welcomed for the potential helpful boosts that they engender, in uni-tasking capability.

Will these pills be made available for the destitute poor in any country?  You can almost hear thought processes whirring away, they don't even have proper nutrition or access to decent water facilities what do they need the pills for, they'll just be even more acutely aware of their dire circumstances?

Basically good is bad, and bad is good.  Cognitive enhancer's good.  Euphoric enhancer's bad.  Although i'm sure if governments started taxing all drugs, the illicit variety would lose its rebel allure.   More people might start talking more openly; apart, perhaps, from those interested in over familiarity with sheep.  Those who still insist upon there use, would at least be able to pop down to their local pharmacy (for a fee) for the obligatory one minute purity & dna compatibility test, on provision of a properly stamped and vated receipt from the ministry of homeland happiness.  Not only that, but with the tax from smoking and oil diminishing, the money we'll all need in the following years of hardship will have to come from somewhere - instead of our children's futures.

But at the end of the day, even if there's only a 5% chance of boosting brain power, I would more than happily pop such pills.  Why?  It might give the remaining two brain cells a bit more company in this tumbleweed infested carapace, and i'd finally be able to remember the end of...

 

 

Isn't it here yet....

Sarkattack

Why are people so shocked about the barclay brothers closing down and shipping out of sark?

Multi-billionaires, corporate giants, money machines have always attempted to subvert/bend/change governments to suit their ends.

The people of sark voted to keep their system of feudalism in place, for whatever reason they are happy with it or simply - after 400 years - just that little bit worried the prospect of potential change.

The brothers don't like it and have voted using the influence they have.  You could say they have elected to use their rights of expression. 

The co-operative don't invest in countries, companies  or regimes that goes against their ethical charter, should they be told they can't do that even though those millions might help people in poverty?  Aren't they expressing the rights of their members and beliefs?

Plenty of people complain about the lack of democracy in so many parts across the globe, yet right on the uks doorstep is an island which is only now taking faint faltering steps.  They made their choice to keep change at a minimum, and the brothers expressed their disappointment, perhaps it is just a case of nothing to see here.

But it's approaching that time of year, for feasting, dancing and song...

Pie at 6 o'clock... no, 2 o'clock... is it a pie? ...

... and there you have it, as good as a stodgy politician lumping around in sheep's clothing.

After three bites and meeting nothing but pastry - in this alleged meat pie.  I decided to keep the rest.  Take it home, and place it under closer scrutiny in a soup bowl.  Just to give it some depth.

But, as can be seen from the opposite of an already munched side, a reasonable amount had been gobbled without meeting any form of resistance, whether in juices, tantalising flavour let alone anything resembling tenderised meat.  Nothing but the same flabby bits of over sogged pastry. 

So here are pictures (quick sequence) of the pie, and the heaped teaspoon of filling that obviously went into it, followed by acres and acres of more lamentable pastry.  Meat pie?  More like "nasty pie surprise!"

Sadly it turned out to be a proverbial oh why did i bother.  And will teach me to pack a small horse of apples to munch on, and not to munch on anything whilst travelling through a strange part of town.  However tempting it might first appear - unless it happens to be first recommended by a local!

For those wishing not to indulge at this particular eatery or for those masochistic enough for an experience, it can be found here:

On a totally different and unrelated matter, is there a law against idiots driving through built up areas with exhausts rivaling blasting off shuttles?  I thought that sort of nonsense went out with the eighties?  If not shouldn't residents be given the right to buy rpg's or bazookas - for some peace and quiet?

What was that...?  There's a world outside?

 

 

And the countdown continues

Back to basics sweatshop

Fundapet

People are under the false impression that 100% fundamentals will take note of any life outside of their belief system has any importance.  As far as they are concerned, people who don't believe have as much legality to existence, as a petri dish of slime.

Not that any of this matters...

End of year thoughts - part II (the continuation - somewhat)

End of year thoughts should really encompass more than the worst or the best of what's happened, even if they're all the majority can remember - or those out there with a similar piss-poor memory.

The following few musings have drifted up through bubbling randomness, which needs to be given a waft of some type of freshening air; either that or it simply had me outraged, hawking up, and legless in stitches.

Best....

Advertisement: in my opinion is toshiba's upscaling (when over to their site click on the tv on the box, then the view ad tab on the top banner, and after a second of them showing off the flash effects it will start) advert, that's tickled all my bones and kept me going back for more feasting eye-fulls. 60 seconds of well-spent viewing. But i suppose after losing out in the hd wars, they had to come up with something redemptive, the advert mind, not sure about the upscaling nonsense.

Brief piece of music used in an advert: again toshiba's upscaling one does it for me, but honourable mention to the spot samsung f480 (yes that was the phones model number) at the time of the beijing olympics.

Movie trailer: the day the earth stood still, the trailer; did i mention anything about acting?

News: that bastion of capitalism (that's kept us all fed and safe for decades) has gone belly up, and had to have its carcass dragged out of the flood waters by the nasty liberal/socialist scum who hold such values as human rights, equality, fraternity in high regard. Brrrrrr!

Game: eve-online - naturally i'm biased.

Amateur spin off video of a game (or machinima to give it its correct title): must surely go to clear skies, from john rourke and gang. The full 450mb download is available from here, or a 26mb trailer here. Or go to the eve-online site and see what the hard-core nutters - sorry - fellow gamers, have been saying about it.

Anti-hate speech: to keith olbermann.

A brief glimpse in seven categories that have caught my vibrating eyes & ears this year. And the worst is yet to come!

Forgot about what? The uk government losing half its citizens data? Luckily that was last year. But this year, isn't quite yet finished. After the feasting there'll be plenty of time...