Confusion Reigns Supreme

...again this morning.

Yup. That's right.

Now repeat after me:

"NotBob is a numpty!"

Still, Square Bar was open at lunchtime so I sat out in the sunshine with a pint, trying to get some free WiFi connectivity without much luck.

Add to that the hour I disappeared from the radar last night when I was down the pub with an alleged connection to t'internet, I've not been having much luck lately.

I've set up the Official Quick Quiz to hit a monitor near you tonight at 9pm BST. Look out for it, folks!

(hopefully there'll be more interest this week.)

Sorry I haven't been around much reading up on your fascinating lives, but my bosses have barred me from blogging on official time, and my evenings have been a bit busy recovering from unexpected busyness.

I've also had another bit of sad news. Another death in the family, unfortunately.

Shall save details for a future post, but said bereavement was not unexpected.

It's Wednesday, isn't it?

Guess what I've forgotten this week.

Yup, that's right. I've forgotten to set the Official Quick Quiz.

I'll do it tomorrow. Usual time - 9pm BST.

Sorry folks!

I’ve been brought up as a fairly good Christian by my lapsed Catholic father and Church of England mother but I’ve never really taken to the Christian faith. I appreciate the moralistic side of the faith and it has stood me in good stead through the years, I just don’t seem to be able to bring myself round to believing in the way that any other Christian does.

I do feel, however, that there is something lacking in my life. I want to believe in something, anything to get me through the troubled times as well as the good times (I’ve even toyed with Pastafarianism after reading about the Flying Spaghetti Monster.)

This morning I picked up a booklet at work which gives a rough and very, very brief guide to the main religions and beliefs practiced in the UK and decided to read through the main points to see if I could find a belief system that I could “hang my hat” on.

Please bear in mind that any of my comments in this post are meant in good humour, and not as a personal slight to anyone of any religion. If you have faith and hold it dear to you personally, I respect that. I just wish I had the courage of my convictions to say that I am a religious person.

Baha’i
At the heart of the Baha’I faith is the belief that humanity is a single people with a common destiny. Baha’u’llah taught that there is one god who progressively reveals His will to humanity. Each of the great religions brought by messengers of God – Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Zoroaster, Jesus, Mohammed – represents a successive stage in the spiritual development in civilisation.
As a matter of principle most Baha’is do not take alcohol. Otherwise there are no dietary requirements.

Not for me then. It’s the alcohol thing. Am I allowed or am I not?

Buddhism
Siddharta Gautama, who became known as “the Buddha” or “Enlightened One”, founded Buddhism in India in the sixth century BCE. Buddhist philosophy is based on a system of ethics. Buddhists see life as a process of birth, ageing, illness and death, in which people can achieve enlightenment through understanding the roots and origins of suffering and overcoming worldly attachments and grief. Buddhists believe in rebirth and that the life you lead has a direct effect on the next life. Buddhism stresses love for all living beings and respect for all forms of life.

The main traditions in Buddhism are Theravada (earliest form practised in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia), Mahayana (a later form practised in China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and Mongolia) and Vajrayana (practised in Tibet). All traditions are represented in the UK.
Some Buddhists are vegetarian or occasionally so at the time of certain festivals. Vegetarianism is considered to be consistent with the spirit of the teachings.
There are no specific rules relating to dress, but some Buddhists may prefer to wear clothing which conforms to their belief in non-harm (e.g. not wearing leather)

I guess that’s me out of that one, then. Have I mentioned my nice shiny leather coat? *ahem*

Christianity
Christianity is the largest and most widespread religion in the world. There are over 40 million people in the UK alone belonging to a Christian denomination according to the 2001 Census. It is comprised of three main groupings: Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant. As with other religions, these differences can amount to deep divisions. At the centre of Christianity is the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Saviour of the World, with followers modelling their lives on his teaching and example.
The predominant Christian church in England and Wales is the Church of England, which is part of the Anglican Communion of Churches. It has two main traditions: one emphasising a Catholic ‘High Church’ style of worship and teaching, the other ‘Low Church’ evangelical teaching, having more in common with Protestant denominations. The Church of England is the established Church in England only. In Scotland the national Church is the Church of Scotland which is Presbyterian in government and worship.

The Roman Catholic Church is characterised by a special devotion to Mass which affirms the belief that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus symbolising his sacrifice.

The Orthodox Churches have expanded from their largely national based origins to include a broad-based British membership.

The different Protestant churches reflect the diverse ways in which the Bible has been interpreted over time. They include:

Baptists
Baptism is a personal decision made on attaining adulthood. There is less ministerial hierarchy and a methodical approach to Bible study.

Methodists
Emphasis is placed on a methodical approach to life, based on scripture and the preaching of John Wesley.

Pentecostals
Emphasis is placed on Baptism and profession of faith as a personal decision made on reaching adulthood. The gifts of the Holy Spirit, including the ability to speak in an unlearned language and the interpretation of tongues, healing, prophecy and other gifts are an important aspect of the faith.

Presbyterians
Great emphasis is placed on orderly, dignified worship and strong preaching led by the elders, who may be ordained ministers or lay people.

Quakers
There is no clergy or set form of service. Worshippers stand up to speak through the guidance of God’s Spirit. There is a very strong sense of community amongst followers.

Salvation Army
An evangelical movement respected for its community work. Organised along military lines, with joyful worship meetings often featuring lively and musical forms of worship.

United Reformed Church
The union of English Presbyterian and Congregational Churches. Presbyterian in worship and order.

Unitarians
Affirmation of God as one person rather than the Trinity doctrine. They stand for tolerance, freedom and reason.

Christian Scientists
Christian Scientists believe in redemption through positive thinking, faith healing and self-help. Jesus is viewed as one whose perfect obedience to God enabled him to transcend the illusion of sin and suffering.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons)
Mormons believe that the Bible and The Book of Mormon are the word of God and that God reveals himself through prophets in the present day.

Jehovah’s Witness
Jehovah’s Witnesses are dedicated to Jehovah (God) and his laws, and spreading the message through home visits. High moral standards based on Bible principles.

There are no specific dietary rules, though fasting may be observed during Lent.

I think I’m leaning towards Unitarianism…

Hinduism
There are over 560,000 Hindus in the UK according to the 2001 Census. The majority originate from India, East Africa, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean islands.
It is the dominant religion of India and one of the world’s oldest. It is a mixture of beliefs, values and customs with many Gods. Brahma is the supreme being. Hindus can be monotheists, polytheists, atheists or pluralists. God is symbolised by the word “Om” or “Aum”. The Hindu temple is the Mandir where worship may be either individual or congregational.
Their fundamental scriptures are the Veda (containing the beliefs and customs), the Upanishads (containing the basic philosophical framework) and the Bhagavad-Gita (The Lord’s Song – probably Hinduism’s most important single text).
Hindus believe that all living things have an eternal soul, which is born and re-born. A constant cycle of birth, death and re-birth (Samsara) is of central importance until such time as Samsara is broken and individual souls (atman) has achieved liberation (moksha).
There are three generally recognised paths to moksha:
Karma – fulfilment of worldly duties and responsibilities
Jnano – Path of knowledge and discipline including the yogo
Bhakti – the path of inner direction.
The four main aims in life are considered to be:
Dharma – each person’s religious and moral duties,
Artha – to earn money for the betterment of the family,
Kamo – control of your actions and enjoyment of the physical pleasures of life
Moksha/Atman Continuous rebirth and liberation of the soul.

Hindus also believe the world is periodically recreated through the God Vishnu. There have been nine reincarnations of this God and the seventh – Rama – and eighth – Krishna – are the forms most worshipped by Hindus. Other popular Gods include Siva, his son Ganesha, Kali and Hanuman.
Hinduism includes class (varna) distinction which puts people in different social groups. Historically Hindus cannot change or leave their class or marry outside of it, although some of the class rules have been relaxed. The four main groups are:
Brahmin – the priestly class who teach and perform religious ceremonies
Kshatriya – the military caste who protect society and govern towards a disciplined life
Vaishiya – those who engage in trade, commerce and agriculture
Shudra – the manual labourers
The eating of meat is forbidden, particularly beef since the cow is a sacred animal. Many Hindus are strictly vegetarian and will not eat fish or eggs. Alcohol is considered a taboo.

Some good concepts in there, but no meat or alcohol? This one’s not for me.

Islam
There are around 1.6 million Muslims in the UK according to the 2001 Census. They are mainly of Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi origin. Islam is a multi-racial faith and the main languages are Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Arabic, Swahili and Turkish.
The word ‘Islam’ means ‘to submit to God’ and followers are known as Muslims – ‘one who is faithful to God’ or Allah. Islam is a way of life, governing not only religious practice and morality, but social relationships, marriage, divorce and kinship, besides economic and political relationships between Muslims.
Islamic beliefs and practices are based upon the Qur’an (or Koran). Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the word of Allah revealed through the prophet Mohammed. Muslims are guided by the Qur’an and the separately recorded sayings (haddith) and traditions (sunaah) of the prophet Mohammed. Muslims believe that Mohammed was as near to being perfect as any human can be and in their daily lives and practices attempt to follow his example. The two main sects are Shi's and Sunni
The Mosque is the Muslim place of worship and community activity centre. All mandatory congregational prayers are held at the Mosque. There is no hierarchy of ordained clergy in Islam. A person who leads prayers is known as an Imam. In the Sunni sect, an Imam is one who is respected for his knowledge of Islam and any person in whom the congregation trust can perform the role of Imam. Amongst Shi’as the role of Imam is more significant and carries greater authority than just leadership of prayer.

Muslims adhere to five essential Islamic practices:
The profession of faith (Shahada) – The phrase “There is no God but One God, and Mohammed is the Messenger of God” is the declaration of faith and is recited with sincere intention by the true believer.

Prayer (Salat) – Devout Muslims are required to pray five times each day.

Almsgiving (Zakat) – Islam stresses the moral obligation to share wealth with the less fortunate. This happens during the Ramadan festival which gives Muslims the chance to share the pain of hunger and poverty.

Fasting (Sawn) – During Ramadan, Muslims fast for thirty days between sunrise and sunset and the Qur’an is read daily. All adult Muslims except for the infirm, very elderly and pregnant women are required to fast. It is seen as an expression of discipline and thanksgiving.

The Pilgrimage (Haj) – Adult Muslims have to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during their lifetime.

No alcohol, tobacco or non-medicinal drugs are allowed. The Qur’an also forbids eating anything from a pig, which is considered an unclean animal. Any food derived from a carnivorous animal is also forbidden. All meat that is consumed must be slaughtered by the Halal method and not stored or cooked with non-Halal food.

Yet again, some fine principles – almsgiving being one of the most noble of them – but I find it too restrictive for me. Particularly as I do like a nice Gammon steak now and again.

Jainism
The small Jain community (between 25,000 to 30,000) in the UK can trace their historical and ethnic origin to the Gujerat and Rajasthan areas of India.

Jainism is a religion without a belief in a creator god. Rather, there is the akasha (infinite space) within which there is a finite area called loka (the universe). This is made up of an infinite number of jiva or atmas (sentient beings) and pudgalas (non-sentient material atoms). The key principle of Jainism is ashima, or non-violence, which covers the avoidance of all physical or mental harm to any living being.

Jains practice avoidance of harm to all life. They are, therefore, strict vegetarians although some may take milk products. Many also avoid root vegetables. Jains do not eat between sunset and sunrise and do not drink alcohol.

Yet again some fine principles, but I don’t think I could follow the non-violence thing. Not that I’m a violent person, you understand, it’s just the effect it has on one’s diet.

Judaism
Jews believe there is only one God. Their most important sacred text is the Torah, part of the Hebrew Bible. The Torah is substantiated by “Oral Law” contained in the Talmud. Congregational prayers are said in the Synagogue. Saturday is the Sabbath day (from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday) which represents God’s rest from the creation of the world. Devout Jews may not perform “creative” work on that day, including travel (except by foot), commercial transactions, use of the telephone and writing.

Orthodox Jews follow strict dietary laws. Food which has been treated and prepared in a particular manner and acceptable to the Jewish religion is known as Kosher. Food that is prohibited includes fish without fins and scales, shellfish, pork, birds of prey and rabbit. Meat and milk are not eaten together and separate utensils are used for meat and dairy produce.

So that’d be me jiggered as I drive in to Maccie D’s for a bacon double cheese burger on a Saturday, then.

Other Ancient Religions
These include religions covered by the Council of British Druid Orders an examples are Druidry, Paganism and Wicca. There are other ancient religions such as Asatru, Odinism and Shamanism.

Generally Vegetarian or vegan, though not always.

Well, that tells me a lot doesn’t it?
However, I do understand a little bit of Paganism. Just enough to make me feel that I’m drawn to their beliefs, but I do need to know more before I immerse myself into a faith system that I am not familiar with.

Rastafarianism
Rastafarianism originated in Jamaica in 1930 and it is estimated that there are about 5,000 Rastafari in the UK.

Rastafarianism links Judaism and early Christianity. Obedience of the Ten Commandments is very important and both the Bible and Ethiopian history are closely studied. The Nazarite Vow of Separation is followed closely and prohibits the cutting of hair.
Many British Rastafarians belong to the Twelve Tribes of Israel movement which seeks to educate young people in the advancement of black people. The crowned Lion of Judah, bearing the Ethiopian flag of red, gold and green is a highly recognised symbol, as too are the Star of David and the Cross.

Rastafarians prefer natural food such as fruits and vegetables (I-tal). Salt is avoided, but spices and pepper are very popular. Most do not eat pork as it is seen as unclean and some refuse alcohol.

Whilst the faith supports the smoking of ganga (marijuana) this practice remains illegal in the UK and is unaffected by the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations.

As a mixture of Christianity and Judaism I can see some good things in there but, yet again, it’s the pork thing.

Sikhism
Sikhism was founded 500 years ago by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region of India. Sikhs believe in one god and equality for all. The word ‘Sikh’ means pupil or discipline. There are two stages of development of Sikhs – Sahajdhari and Amritdhari. The former are ‘apprentices’ who are working towards the second stage but may already be wearing one or more of the 5 Ks (see below)
Amritdharis are those who have been formally baptised and must keep rigidly to the disciplines and code of conduct enjoined upon them at the time of their baptism. They are known as the Khalsa (the pure ones) and keep the 5 Ks.
The Sikh temple is known as the Gurdwara. Worshippers bow to the scriptures which are on a dias, and hymns from the scriptures are sung. There are no priests and men or women may lead prayer. “Prasad” is a shared sign of equality and worship is followed by a meal taken together.

Sikhs do not eat Halal meat. Some do not eat beef and many are vegetarian.

Older children and adults initiated into the Khalsa are expected to wear five symbols (the 5 Ks)
Kesh – uncut hair. tied in a knot under a turban for men or a Chunni or Dupatta (long scarf) for women.
Kangha – A wooden comb, usually worn in the hair.
Kara – A steel bracelet.
Kachhahera – Knee-length underpants.
Kirpan – a short sword worn under the clothing so that it is not visible.

A little too formal for my tastes, and the idea of carrying a concealed weapon doesn’t sit comfortably with me.

Zoroastrianism (Parsi)
Zoroastrianism was founded in ancient times by the prophet Zarathushtra. Zoroastrians believe that Zarathushtra identified for the first time in human history the importance of the Vohu Manah (Good Mind). His ethical monotheism taught human beings to think and reflect with a clear, rational mind in order to dispel ignorance and blind faith. Zoroastrians worship Ahura Mazda (the Wise Lord).
Zoroastrians are required to pray five times a day, saying a special prayer for each part of the day:
Hawab (sunrise to midday)
Rapithwin (midday to mid-afternoon)
Uzerin (mid-afternoon to sunset)
Aiwisruthrem (sunset to midnight)
Ushahin (midnight to dawn)
Prayers should be said in front of a fire – either real or symbolic.
Also a ritual is performed each time a Zoroastrian washes their hands, although the ritual is not always strictly performed in all its detail. When it is performed the individual will stand on the same spot and must speak to no-one during the ritual. A prayer will also be said before eating.

There are no dietary requirements for Zoroastrians.
Devout Zoroastrians wear the sudreh, a sacred white shirt worn next to the skin, and the kushti, a sacred cord worn over the sudreh, passed three times around the body and knotted at the front and back.

Sounds good to me. I’ll have to do more research, though.

So after reading all that I’ve decided that I lean towards either Paganism or Zoroastrianism if I were required to give a name to my faith. Personally, though I would say that I still don’t really do religion as such. I prefer to put my faith in knowledge of the sciences, which in itself seems to be based on facts, but is in fact based more on a collection of theories, much like any other religion.

I've come down to the pub to use their free Wi-fi service and for the last three quarters of an hour I've been trying to get some kind of connection.

I was just about to give up and go home when suddenly I got a connection. And now its time for me to be kicked out of the pub, just as I gain the connection I wanted when I got here.

Bugger.

Life... it's never as easy as it could be.

(Subtitled "Egads, I get some evil thoughts at times...")

09:35 - I am hosting a couple of consultants in my office as it’s nice and quiet for them.
I’m very tempted to start the copier off while printing a report out from my intranet terminal and do a bit of shredding at the same time…

...I'm always tired. Now I have the answer:

Who needs a RESET button, Rob, when someone's already pressed your FOREVER AND EVER button?

Who, me?
The Universe

I couldn't help myself, Rob, it was love at first sight....

I've just realised how many different blogs I've got.

8 here and one on another site which I hardly ever look at these days.

9 blogs!

And here's me, the shy, retiring type of guy who'd be happy sat alone in a quiet corner...

This morning has not been good.

I woke up at 8:15. Well, I say I woke up, but it was definitely more like I was just about mobile.

I had a bit of a problem putting my boots on, though. I had completely and inexplicably forgotten how to tie up my laces. Something that should come naturally to anyone who has had to tie their laces since the age of 5 had totally vanished from my mind. Almost as if I’d had a mental clear-out and that snippet of knowledge had got caught up and discarded.

Talking of clear-outs, I had a quick shufty through my friends list last night and have deleted a few that haven’t been active for some time. I did, however, send each one a little note explaining that they were being trimmed from the list, but should they wish to rejoin they should invite me back into their respective communities. I don’t like being dumped without a word of explanation, so I don’t think it would be right of me to do the same.

Now then. On with the rest of the week. I just hope that the rest of the week doesn't continue to be as busy as this morning has. I've been rushed off me little tootsies so far...

They are handy for scientific experiments, but they are F**king annoying when you're at the pub.

*swishes hands left, right and centre*

'stids...

*wonders where that centre hand came from... *

Right sentiment, wrong dog...

Click pic for link

By Caroline Cheese

1424: Such is his desperation to find out who's on pole, Alonso even goes up to former McLaren rival Lewis Hamilton to ask what his time was. We're still waiting for any confirmation of the final placings. Bernie Ecclestone is chatting amiably to the drivers. "Do they have the times somewhere?" asks a bemused Sebastian Vettel. Bernie shrugs his shoulders. This is chaos - and I love it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/

and so do I

A lot of people may think I just want cheaper beer, but there is more to why I'm supporting this campaign than just the pound in my pocket. The increasing taxation and licensing legislation that is being brought in by our government is actually costing this country millions of pounds in lost revenue. I'll let the following message from the ATBT campaign explain in more detail:

Pub closures up to 52 a week - more than seven a day

24,000 jobs lost in the last year

2,377 pubs close in last 12 months

Government loses over £254 million in tax in last 12 months due to pubs closing

A record 52 pubs a week are now closing in Britain, leading to the loss of 24,000 jobs in the last year, according to new figures compiled by CGA Strategy, released to today by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

The figures for the first six months of 2009 show the rate of pub closure has increased by a third, up from 39 pubs a week in the last six months of 2008. Over the last 12 months, 2,377 pubs have closed, costing 24,000 jobs. In the last 3 years a total of 5,134 pubs have closed. There are now 53,466 pubs in Britain, down from 58,600 in the year before the Licensing Act came into force.

Despite these closures and big pressures, such as additional regulation costs, the industry is also facing a double whammy on beer tax over next few months - with the planned VAT increase in January and a further 2 per cent above inflation rise in duty in March under the Government's beer tax accelerator.

"The recession is proving extremely tough for Britain's pubs," said BBPA chief executive David Long. "However, those economic pressures have been made much worse by a Government that has continued to pile on the tax and regulatory burden. The last two Budgets have seen a 20 per cent increase in beer tax, which alone has added more than £600 million to our tax bill. In addition, Government continue to press ahead with the Mandatory Code of Practice, which they say heap at least £30 million of extra red tape cost on pubs in the first year alone."

"While every other sector seems to receive a sympathetic ear and a tax payer funded handout from Government to tide them through the downturn, all we are getting is a deaf ear and a higher tax bill."

The BBPA figures show pub closure is reducing Government tax revenues. The industry's total tax bill now stands at £6.1 billion a year. Every pub contributes £107,000 in tax a year - 30 per cent of turnover. Pub closures over the last year have therefore cost the Government more than £254 million in lost taxes - a loss that is increasing by more than £5.5 million a week. Sector job losses are also costing the Government an additional £1.53 million a week in job seekers allowance.

"Closing pubs are not only a loss to communities, but a loss to the Treasury," said Dr Long. "Government should look at valuing and rewarding pubs as community assets. Not only would this have social policy benefits by supporting a hub of community cohesion, but financial policy benefits in terms of tax revenues, particularly at a time when the public purse is stretched."

The BBPA also highlights the scale of job losses in the sector, which it says is often overlooked and compares it with the furore generated by the job losses at the Mini car plant earlier this year.

"Every week, a further 461 jobs are lost in our sector. That's more than two Mini car plants a month." said Dr Long. "Government now needs to listen to the pub sector in the same way it listens to other sectors suffering this level of job losses. Not special treatment, just equitable treatment. As a first step, Government should commit to not increasing the cost and complexity of running a pub, by stepping back from any more tax or red-tape increases."

Community pubs are proving the most vulnerable in the current economic downturn. Branded pubs and café style bars are actually opening at a rate of 13 a week. Food led pubs opening at one a week. However community pubs are closing at the rate of 53 a week and 13 traditional town circuit bars are shutting a week. Food seems key to sustainability. Pubs that focus mostly on selling drink are shutting up shop at the rate of 51 a week, while those that focus more on food are closing at one a week.

So you see, it's not just the pound in my pocket that I want to protect, it's the fiver in everyone's pocket.

In this month's National Geographic, there's a very interesting article about Yellowstone National Park.

Well, interesting if you like volcanoes and geology and things of that ilk.

HELP STOP NEW THREAT TO PUBS - SAY NO TO NEW CODE
Click Here to Make Your Opinion Heard

With 50 pubs now closing every week across Britain as a result of the recession and record tax rises, landlords are now facing a further threat to their livelihoods under Government plans to impose a new costly and bureaucratic "mandatory code".

Home Office Ministers say the code is needed to tackle anti-social disorder. But, as ever, it is the decent, responsible majority that will have to pay for it. The cost to the British pub industry of implementing these new regulations would be an estimated £58 million in the first year and £38 million in subsequent years - costs that will hit landlords and consumers alike.

While one or two parts of the code may be sensible in themselves - stopping bars and pubs holding irresponsible promotions like "all you can drink for a tenner", for instance - using the law in this way is like using a hammer to crack a nut. It is yet further evidence of the nanny state going too far not least because local councils and the police have the powers they need to tackle alcohol-related disorder already.

Pubs provide a good environment to be able to supervise and control drinking and encourage responsible behavior - and the vast majority of pubs work closely with local police and councils to tackle anti-social behavior where it occurs. So hitting pubs with more and more costs only helps to undermine the best solution to the problem of excessive drinking.

The Home Office is now asking the public for its views on its plans as part of its "consultation process". So the good news is that you, the responsible majority of decent, law-abiding consumers and landlords concerned about the future of the Great British Pub, do have an opportunity to make your views heard by Government Ministers.

We are therefore asking that you click here to answer the questions posed by the Government in the way that we think will best minimise the cost to British pubs and stop the present record pub closure rate getting even worse.

But hurry, you have to get your response to the Home Office by Wednesday 5th August for it to be considered.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support in helping us oppose threats to a great British institution.

Click Here to Make Your Opinion Heard

Axe the Beer Tax

info@axethebeertax.com
http://www.axethebeertax.com/

You can read the full Home Office consultation document by clicking here.

Sad news today at the loss of the creator of Captain Pugwash, John Ryan at the age of 88.

Pugwash was one of the cornerstones of my childhood. I thoroughly enjoyed his adventures aboard the Black Pig as I grew up in the '70s.

Bless you, Mr Ryan. You brought pleasure to millions, and your works will live on in our hearts and treasured memories.

One of the accountants has just earned the nickname "Mr Stupid" after this brief chat:

Him (on spotting a certain piece of kit in my office): "What's that?"

Me: "That's our A0 Plotter."

Him: "What does it do?"

Me: "It prints things up to A0 size."

Him: "What do you use it for?"

Me (not too patronisingly, I hope): "We use it to print out big things."

And they say that going to university gives you a decent education...

Something on the telly just struck a chord with me and has left me with one important question.

How do you know which is the best price comparison website?

You've got to love some of the options they give you to tick, like the one that I completed tonight. One of the main questions I had to answer before I was told that my opinion didn't matter at all was this:

Where do you use a computer?

At work

At home

Elsewhere

I do not use a computer

I was so very tempted to tick the last one just to confuse them. I mean, if you don't use a computer how the hell are you going to be doing the survey?

...whether to laugh or cry.

First I get told my job will be cut in August/September next year, then the date changes to next March. Then it changes again to this December. The Unions have stepped in. Now nobody knows anything about when my job ends.

It could be December as planned, or it could be January. Or February. Or, knowing what the Unions are like, it could even be June or July.
I just wish someone would tell me a definite date. I can’t stand this state of limbo that I’m in.

I don’t know whether I have to look for a new job a.s.p. and end up in a job I don’t want or whether I have time to be a little more discerning about who I work for.

If I strike while the iron's hot, I'm likely to get burned...

I've just received this via email:

Clinical Research Study Volunteers

SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF

Dear Rob

You could earn up to £1585 by taking part in a clinical study starting soon with ICON Development Solutions.

We are a world leading Clinical Research Organisation and are currently looking for healthy males aged 18-55 to help with our clinical study running in collaboration with QinetiQ in Farnborough.

If you want to help develop the medicines of the future and do something to be proud of...

Farnborough's not too far away, but then I think of those lads who were severely disfigured in a clinical trial a couple of years ago and I think no thanks. I'd love to help, but...

Oh, and there's the small point of looking for healthy men...

Mum's just read my post about not being able to find any peri-peri chicken in the local and not-so-local shops around here.

"You do realise there's a pack of peri-peri chicken in the freezer, don't you?"

"Who bought that then?"

"Not me. And there's no guarantee that it'll be there tomorrow night."

"Don't you bloody dare!"

Guess what I'll be having for dinner tomorrow.

Probably Southern Fried Chicken

Tonight I have been sampling Knights Premium Reserve cider.

5.8%abv, 660ml, £1.67, Morrisons

A deep golden yellow sparkling cider with quite a heady aroma. It has a full-bodied taste of the bittersweet cider apples that go towards making it and that also lend it a very pleasant dryness.

Overall, I'd say this is an excellent cider.

9/10

It's been a busy old day for me today. Only minor jobs that take half an hour or so, but every time I finished one job, the next one came in. Until this afternoon, that is, when one of the accountants came in with three reports to produce. No deadline set for them though, so that would be OK except for the fact that most of the annexes to those reports had to be printed on A3 paper and Z-folded.

As a reward for being so productive I decided that I deserved some Peri-peri chicken. Shame I still couldn't find any anywhere.

So I had to go for "Hot and Spicy" chicken on a bed of lettuce with chips.

Nom!

16:00: - Fed up with folding A3 Annexes to fit into A4 reports…
16:05: - Wishing I could whip out lappy to blog for an hour or so.
16:15: - Only another four sets of these buggers to fold…
… Sod it, they’ll wait until tomorrow.

Not posted automatically by Twitter – this is all my own creation…

Highlight of my day today?

I put £20 worth of petrol in the car and went hunting for the now elusive peri-peri chicken.

Was late home from work because of that.

Had a salad instead.

If I could afford to get there I'd be on Akuseki-shima by Wednesday ...

Clicklink

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/20jul_longestsolareclipse.htm?list1326919

Some of you may remember this little fella:

Who grew up to look a bit like this:

Well, unfortunately his owner has just approached me with a sorry tale.

His landlord has upped his rent by £300pcm. Ricky can't afford this, so he and his partner, Donna, have had to find alternative accommodation. Everything looked fine, they found a nicer place for less rent with a much bigger garden, which would have been ideal for Troy. They paid the deposit having examined the rental agreement, which DID NOT AT ANY TIME mention that pets were not allowed. They picked up the keys on Saturday and received a letter outlining further details of the rental agreement.

They can have a dog, but it will not be allowed in the house. Troy has always been a house dog, rather than an outdoors dog - to be quite honest, I find that the attitude of owning a dog but not letting it in the house quite an alien concept - so they have either got to break the rules which were not laid down in the original agreement and then dispute the matter in court or give their dog to a good home.

They both know how much I love dogs, and particularly how well I get on with Troy, so their first thought was to ask if I could adopt him.

Unfortunately I had to be brutally honest. If it was purely my decision, I would not hesitate to adopt the (not so) wee softy, but Mum has said all along since Paddy went that we will not have another large dog.

So if anyone in Surrey/South East England would like a lovable and loving, child friendly, house-trained Rottweiler/Mastiff cross the advertisement is here.

I think that says it all really.

I'm just so glad that they thought of me in their adoption plans, but sad that I can't help.

After a nice, if busy, weekend I found myself in the office this morning with my laptop in my bag by my feet and my Web'n'Walk modem sitting on the table. Unfortunately the table it was sitting on is at home...

Ho-hum. Catch-up time AGAIN!

~o0o~

I had my mid-year review today. Everything on track and going well, apart from two things.

1.) My seeming inability to finish minor jobs on time needs to be addressed (maybe I shouldn't concentrate my efforts so much on actually getting the main workload done, then. )

2.) I need to bring my training up to date. This should be easier once the brand new IT systems are fully functional - I can do most of it online without leaving the office when that's in place.

So, all told, not a bad report.

For the first time since Christmas the NotBob house has been entertaining the entire family today - Me, Mum, Dad, Luxembourg Bruv, Other Bruv, SiL and niece - Penny's been getting over-excited, not much drink flowed as both Bruvs were due to be driving this evening, but much hilarity was had over lunch - roast beef, spuds, parsnips, cauliflower, peas, carrots, roast onions and peppers and Yorkshire pudding - yet I sit here unable to think of a single thing to blog about...

One or two hit the mark this week, including this one:

Was it something I said?
Something I did?
Something I didn't do or say?

I don't know. Tell me, please. Just to settle my mind.

I've been wondering why it seems that as soon as I make new friends around here others either just disappear from my friends list or disappear completely...

Disappearing completely, I can understand. After all, people may actually want a life outside of blogsville (why?)

I've noticed one of my longest-standing friends - one who I would never drop, one of the few that I have actually met - is no longer on my list.

What did I do?

one of the funniest ads on British TV at the moment...

The Priest’s Supper

It is said by those who ought to understand these things that the good people, or the faeries, are some of the people that were turned out of heaven and who landed on their feet in this world, while the rest of their companions who had more sin to sink them went further down to a worse place. Be this as it may, there was a merry troop of the faeries dancing and playing all manner of wild pranks on a bright moonlit evening towards the end of September. The scene of their merriment was not far from Inchegeela, in the west of the county of Cork – a poor village, although it had a barrack for soldiers; but great mountains and barren rocks, like those around it, are enough to strike poverty into any place. However, as the faeries can have everything they want for wishing, poverty does not trouble them much and all their care is to seek out unfrequented nooks and places where it is not likely that anyone will come and spoil their sport.

On a nice green sod by the side of the river the little fellows were dancing in a ring as gaily as may be, with their red caps wagging about at every bound in the moonshine; and so light were those bounds that the dewdrops, although the trembled under their feet, were not disturbed by their capering. Thus they carried on their gambols, spinning round and round, twirling and bobbing, diving and going through all manner of figures, until one of them chirped out,

"Cease, cease with your drumming,
Here’s an end to our mumming,
By smell
I can tell
A priest this way is coming!"

And away every one of the faeries scampered as hard as they could, hiding themselves under the green leaves of the lusmore, where, if their little red caps should happen to peep out, they would only look like its crimson bells; and more hid themselves in the hollow of stones, or at the shady side of brambles, and others under the bank of the river, and in holes and crannies of one kind or another.

The faerie speaker was not mistaken, for along the road, which was in sight of the river, came Father Horrigan on his pony, thinking to himself that, as it was so late, he would end his journey at the first cabin he came to. According to this determination , he stopped at the dwelling of Dermod Leary, lifted the latch, and entered with "My blessing on all here."

I need not say that Father Horrigan was a welcome guest wherever, for no man was more pious or better beloved in the country. Now, it was with great trouble to Dermod that he had nothing to offer his reverence for supper as a relish to the potatoes which "the old woman," for so Dermod called his wife, though she was not much past twenty, had down boiling in the pot over the fire. He thought of the net which he had set in the river, but as it had only been there a short time, the chances were against his finding any fish in it. "No matter," thought Dermod, "there can be no harm in stepping down to try, and maybe as I want the fish for the priest’s supper that one will be there for me."

Down to the riverside went Dermod, and he found in the net as fine a salmon as ever jumped in the bright waters of “the spreading Lee.” But as he was going to take it out, the net was pulled from him, he could not tel how or by whom, and away got the salmon, and went swimming along with the current as if nothing had happened.

Dermot looked sorrowfully at the wake which the fish had left upon the water, shining like a line of silver in the moonlight, and then, with an angry motion of his right hand and a stamp of his foot, gave vent to his feelings by muttering, "May bitter bad luck attend you night and day for a blackguard schemer of a salmon, wherever you go! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, if there’s any shame in you, to give me the slip in this manner! And I’m clear in my own mind you’ll come to no good, for some kind of evil thing or another helped you – did I not feel it pull the net against me as strong as the devil himself?"

"That’s not true for you," said one of the faeries who had scampered off at the approach of the priest, coming up to Dermod Leary with a whole throng of companions at his heels. "There was only a dozen and a half of us pulling against you."

Dermod gazed on the speaker with wonder as he continued, "Make yourself noways uneasy about the priest’s supper, for if you go back and ask him one question from us there will be as fine a supper as ever was put on a table spread out before him in less than no time."

"I’ll have nothing at all to do with you," replied Dermod in a determined tone, and after a pause he added, "I’m much obliged to you for your offer, sir, but I know better than to sell myself to you or the like of you for a supper. And more than that, I know Father Horrigan has more regard for my soul than to wish me to pledge it forever, out of regard to anything you could put before him – and there’s the end to the matter."

The little speaker, with a pertinacity not to be repulsed by Dermod’s manner, continued, "Will you ask the priest one civil question for us?"

Dermod considered for some time, and he was right in doing so, but he thought that no-one could come to harm out of asking a civil question. "I see no objection to do that same, gentlemen," said Dermod, "but I will have nothing in life to do with your supper – mind that."

"Then," said the speaking faerie, whilst the rest came crowding after him from all parts, "go and ask Father Horrigan to tell us whether our souls will be saved at the last day, like the souls of good Christians. And if you wish us well, bring back word of what he says without delay."

Away went Dermod to his cabin, where he found the potatoes thrown out on the table, and his good woman handing the largest of them, steaming like a hard ridden horse on a cold night, over to Father Horrigan.

"Please, your reverence," said Dermod, after some hesitation, "may I make bold to ask your honour one question?"

"What may that be?" asked Father Horrigan.

"Why, the, begging your reverence’s pardon for my freedom, it is if the souls of the good people are to be saved at the last day?"

"Who bid you ask me that question, Leary?" said the priest, fixing his eyes upon him very sternly, which Dermod could not stand before at all.

"I’ll tell no lies about the matter, and nothing in life but the truth," said Dermod. "It was the good people themselves who sent me to ask the question, and there they are in their thousands down on the bank of the river waiting for me to go back with the answer."

"Go back by all means," said the priest, "and tell them, if they want to know, to come here to me themselves, and I’ll answer that or any other question they are pleased to ask with the greatest pleasure in my life."

Dermod accordingly returned to the faeries, who came swarming around about him to hear what the priest had said in reply, and Dermod spoke out among them like a bold a man as he was. But when they heard that they must go to the priest, away they fled, some her, more there and some this way and more that, whisking by poor Dermod so fast and in such numbers that he was quite bewildered.

When he came back to himself, which was not for a long time, back he went to his cabin and ate his dry potatoes along with Father Horrigan, who made quite light of the thing. But Dermod could not help thinking it a mighty hard case that his reverence, whose words had the power to banish the faeries at such a rate, should have no relish to his supper, and that the fine salmon he had in the net should have been got away from him in such a manner.

Yep. Stayed at home again today, blogging and gaming.

I got a bit addicted to another GameTop game.

Voyage Puzzle:

Another "Match 3" puzzle game, in which you need to break blocks and unlock orbs by linking three or more orbs of the same colour next to them. Simple, but oh so compelling.

Where did this afternoon go?

Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton has been forced to pull out of part of the band's summer tour as he recovers from surgery, according to their website.

A statement said David Hull, who played in the Joe Perry Project, will replace Hamilton as he "recuperates from non-invasive surgery".

Earlier this summer, the band postponed seven shows after Steve Tyler, 61, injured his leg at a gig in June.

Guitarist Brad Whitford also missed some dates after hurting his head.

BBC News

Get well soon, man.

About my day.

Let's start with yesterday's little sojourn to the pub, where I had one more pint of Addlebrains than I thought I had time for. *ahem*

I knew that I would have difficulty getting up this morning, but I was wrong. I was up promptly at 7:07, but as predicted I had a thumping headache, which I put down to the cider.

I got up and ready for work and left in time to get there for 8:30.

At 9:15 I realised that this was not just a hangover (it was an M&S hangover ) as I was shaking, feeling feverish though with no noticeable fever, and kind of itchy all over. So I went to my line manager and managed to croak that I was sorry that I could only manage ¾ of an hour and that I was going home. It was only then that I realised that I had lost my voice. She told me to take a couple of days off, but if I was still feeling unwell on Monday I should phone in sick.

I came home and have stayed here, not even tempted to nip out to the pub, drinking plenty of fluids and trying to eat as well as I can.

It's not too bad, at the moment. I've worked through worse, but as there have been a couple of cases of H1N1 on site (it's a big site) nobody's taking any risks.

Don't worry, I seriously doubt that it is Swine Flu. It's not even Man Flu.

...for the 40^th anniversary, but still a riveting read.

I've spent all day blogging and playing games.

I may as well have stayed at work.

*ahem*

Oh, gods! He gets bloody everywhere!!!

la_spice has her dream car, as has Trintrin1x, so I thought I'd have a little reverie of my own...

...any (or all) of these for me:

Well, I can dream, can't I?

But certainly a relation of hers.

Fortunately there was a car windscreen between us...

I have replaced the blown lightbulb in my bedroom, and its first visitor is not that nice friendly moth from last night, but a wasp.

*wraps self cocoon-like in duvet*

Expect news of where the insect-bitch has stung me tomorrow...

I've been told off for plugging my Web'n'Walk modem into anything at work.

This means I can only really blog from my own lappy. ("quite right too!" I hear you all cry)

Unfortunately this also means that everyone can tell when I'm slacking off.

Ho-hum.

Still catching up with everyone's posts after a wee bit of apathy struck, so bear with me a little longer.

...if my parents were on holiday.

Do you realise how hard it is to find your trousers by the light of a laptop..?

I've found a baseball cap and one black leather coat glove so far, and I need a wee!

My bedroom light's just blown. Now the only light in the room is coming from my lappy and it's attracting moths...

Ho-hum.

Maybe it's time to shut it down anyway.

Seen in today's internal jobs bulletin:

WAHAY! Stockingtaker!

...some clever guy thought that he would keep his motorbike dry by parking it under a tree.

Dryness FAIL!

A few twanged a nerve with me this week. I don't want to share which one twanged hardest, though. This one will do for now.

Click pic for link.

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living. It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope, which is what I do. And that enables you to laugh at life's realities.

Dr Seuss

...for doing some housework this morning:

Nom nom nom!

Go on then, as everyone else seems to be doing it...

Ask me a question about me and I will try to answer as honestly as possible, but be warned, sometimes my answers could be a little bit blunt.

Those were the first words I heard as I walked into the pub just now.

Him: "OK. Who's singing this?" *points to speakers dangling precariously above the bar*

Me: *strains to hear music over cacophony of conversations at the bar* "Whitesnake. Here I Go Again. Originally peaked at number 34 in the charts on its original release in 1982 as the only single from their "Saints an' Sinners" album, though it charted at number 9 on its re-release in 1987."

Him: "Fuck me!"

Me: "No, ta. You're not my type."

And that was before I'd even got my lappy up and running...

I've just filled out a YouGov survey, and one of the questions was:

Which TV character do you most associate yourself with:

Wallace (of Wallace and Gromit): Full of good intentions which often go awry,

Womble: Making good use of things other people throw away,

Scrooge: Save, save, save!!!

Toad of Toad Hall: Buy what you want, when you want.

In all honesty, I had to tick the last one.

A PM arrives...

Hello My Dear
My name is Miss Jessica i saw your profile today at (www.blog.co.uk) and became intrested in you,i will also like to know you the more,and i want you to send an email to my email address so i can give you my picture for you to know whom i am.
Here is my email address (Jessica_buba[at]yahoo.com)
I believe we can move from here!
I am waiting for your mail to my email address above.Jessica.
(Remeber the distance or colour does not matter but love matters alot in lif
Please reply with my email address
(Jessica_buba[at]yahoo.com)

Dear Miss Jessica (aka Jessica900)

I'm not in the habit of giving out personal info about myself to all and sundry in the vain hope that their affection for me may be real. Sorry.

Anyway, I've got a bottle of cider beside me, love. I ain't moving anywhere.

Cheers anyhow.
NotBob.

PS. I very much doubt if you really are from Alabama, as your profile states.

I found this interesting little article in my inbox this morning:

The Beating Heart, Minus Gravity

Wanna freefall out into nothing
Gonna leave this world for a while
Now I'm free, freefalling --Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

July 10, 2009: We've all seen video of astronauts drifting and gliding gracefully around inside the International Space Station like fish in a fishbowl. It looks so relaxing. But as enjoyable as it appears to be, there's a down side to all that freefalling^*.

Astronaut Clay Anderson floats through the Unity node of the International Space Station.

"When astronauts land back on Earth after a long time in space, not only is their vestibular system mixed up and their kinesthetic sense thrown off," says Dr. Benjamin Levine of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, "but also their bones and muscles have deteriorated."

In space, even more than on Earth, it's "use it or lose it." The human body and all its parts need to work to remain vital. Bones must bear weight to keep their density and strength. Muscles need to push or pull against resistance to stay in shape; without work they waste away.

Is this also true of our most critical muscle – the human heart?

NASA is launching a new study called Integrated Cardiovascular^† to find out.

"We know that astronauts lose heart mass and exercise capacity when they're in microgravity for a long time," says Johnson Space Center's Julie Robinson, ISS program scientist. "We suspect that this could lead to impaired heart function, which could cause low blood pressure and even fainting when astronauts get back to gravity. But we need detailed information. In the future, astronauts will spend longer and longer in space, and even live and work on the moon and Mars. We want to know exactly how space-living will affect their hearts and heart function."

Dr. Levine is a principal investigator for the experiment along with Dr. Michael Bungo of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. They've enlisted the support of several other cardiovascular experts^‡ to conduct this research – the most comprehensive and advanced study of its kind to date.

"We're investigating how, how much, and how fast deterioration occurs in the heart during long duration space travel," says Levine.

A computer-generated diagram of the Integrated Cardiovascular investigation onboard the ISS. Image courtesy of the Johnson Space Center, Human Research Program.

The space station crew, which has recently increased to six members, will help Levine and his team find answers by serving as subjects for Integrated Cardiovascular. The experiment will last for more than 2 years -- long enough to gather plenty of data on 12 different astronauts before, during, and after their stints in space.

"We're incorporating the most sophisticated tools^§ ever used in such an experiment to look at the heart and its chambers and valves," says Levine. "This is the first investigation ever to use advanced echo-Doppler techniques to follow the structure and function of the heart during long periods in space and confirm findings by using advanced magnetic resonance imaging tools on the ground. For example, we're using an echocardiogram to determine how heart muscle atrophy influences the way the heart relaxes and fills, and an MRI to quantify this atrophy precisely, and determine whether it scars or gets infiltrated by fat."

An echocardiogram uses high-pitched sound waves that are picked up as they reflect off different portions of the heart. These echoes are turned into a moving picture, allowing researchers to watch a movie of the heart in action as blood flows through the heart. By looking at such movies before, during, and after spaceflight, the team can discern mechanical changes that happen in a person's heart after he or she is away from Earth's gravity for a long time. With the MRI, they can look at detailed computer images of the heart tissues to pinpoint exactly what kind of atrophy occurs.

Astronaut Cady Coleman performs a remotely guided echocardiogram on a test subject utilizing Integrated Cardiovascular protocols, while Betty Chen, a training coordinator, observes.

"We're answering questions like 'is the deterioration simply in size, like Arnold Schwarzenegger's muscle loss if he stopped lifting weights, or does the heart scar, do cells die?'"

The team is also studying the effects of heart atrophy on crewmembers' ability to exercise and on the likelihood of their developing unusual heart rhythms both on the space station and after returning to Earth. In addition, the researchers will look closely at other cardiovascular issues, such as how blood pressure responds to the reintroduction of gravity at the levels experienced on Earth, the moon, and Mars.

"All of the results will help us fine-tune exercise protocols for the space station crew," says Robinson. "We'll also learn what to look at in astronauts' hearts before we send them to, say, Mars. We'll identify a set of risk factors that can help flight surgeons determine the best candidates for long space missions."

Levine adds, "We may, however, show that the heart does just fine in space, and that the strategies now used to keep astronauts in shape are adequate to keep the heart functioning normally and in good health. If so, flight surgeons can turn their attention instead to other potentially critical problems such as bone loss or radiation exposure."

Importantly, this study's results will help researchers in developing preventive and rehabilitative regimens for people on Earth.

"The information we get from these experiments will be relevant for patients after long-term bedrest or other physical activity restrictions, as well as for patients with congestive heart failure, heart disease, and even normal aging."

Author: Dauna Coulter | Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA

^* Up on the space station in Earth orbit, you're weightless. In fact, if you don't fasten yourself onto or into something while you sleep, there's no telling where in the space station compartment you'll wake up. You may find yourself wedged next to an air vent. But space station astronauts only appear to be floating. They are actually in "freefall," which means the major force acting on them is from gravity. On the station, the gravity pull comes from the Earth because it is the closest large body. The space station free-falls as it orbits the Earth. If there were no forces acting on the space station, it would travel in a straight line away from the Earth. Because the Earth pulls the ISS towards it and is traveling 7900 meters per second (26,000 feet per second) parallel to the Earth's surface, the ISS moves around the Earth in a circle. The force of gravity on both the astronauts in the ISS and the ISS itself is about nine-tenths of what it is at the Earth's surface. Why do you think NASA astronauts in the ISS feel weightless? You only feel weight when something pushes against you. The ISS can't push the astronauts because both the ISS and the NASA astronauts free-fall at the same rate. (They are traveling at the same speed and in the same direction.)

^† This experiment is supported entirely through NASA funding mechanisms utilizing grants to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and onsite civil service and contractor support at the Johnson Space Center. The study's full name is Cardiac Atrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction During and After Long Duration Spaceflight: Functional Consequences for Orthostatic Intolerance, Exercise Capability and Risk for Cardiac Arrhythmias (Integrated Cardiovascular).

^‡ RESEARCH TEAM

Principal Investigators:
Benjamin D. Levine, M.D., Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Presbyterian Hospital and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX
Michael W. Bungo, M.D., University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX

Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s):
Steven H. Platts, Ph.D. Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Douglas R. Hamilton, M.D., Ph.D., Wyle Laboratories, Houston, TX
Smith L. Johnston, M.D., Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

Payload Developer: Johnson Space Center, Human Research Program, Houston, TX

Sponsoring Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

^§ Magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography will be used before and after spaceflight. Echocardiography will also be used in flight.

A special imaging technique called magnetic resonance spectroscopy will also be used to quantify the amount of fat in the subjects’ hearts.

Before and after flight, subjects will be tilted on a table at angles to approximate various levels of gravity (from levels experienced on the moon up to those experienced on Earth). During those tests, each subject’s heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored and the blood flow from their hearts will be measured by using an echocardiogram.

The reaction of the subjects’ bodies to exercise stress will be determined before and after flight by having them perform exercise while their heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow from their hearts are measured.

Electrocardiograms will also be taken on several occasions during the study and will last up to 48 hours at a time. These recordings will be concurrent with continuous measurements of blood pressure and activity (using Actiwatches worn at the waist and ankle) to estimate the amount of work their heart is doing daily on Earth and in space.

NASA's Future: US Space Exploration Policy

Source: NASA

A bit of amateur work, maybe?

Today has been a day of quiet contemplation, reflection, shredding and realising that I've left my ciggies up in the office just as I reach the smokers' shelter (buggrit!)...

Nothing much to report, nothing newsworthy as I haven't seen the newspapers today. I bought them, but I just haven't even looked as far as page 3.

I'll be fine. I'm just a little depressed, as some of you may understand.

Maybe I'll transcribe one of those lovely Irish faerie tales.

Despite the fact that we've just received some shocking news in the family, the quiz tonight will go ahead as usual over on The Official Quick Quiz site at the usual time.

Just thought I'd let you all know, in case I don't appear as upbeat and chipper as usual tonight.

I was sickened last night by the news media, and sickened again this morning.

How much airtime was given over by the BBC to that freakshow of a memorial to a faded pop star (and alleged paedophile) compared with the airtime given to the unveiling of the memorial to the 52 innocent victims of the 7/7 London bombings?

How many column inches did said freakshow take up this morning compared similarly with the 7/7 memorial?

For the sake of whoever's in charge around here, people! Someone has shown a shed-load of bad taste with the timing there. If MJ died at the end end of August, would they hold such a mawkish and macabre ceremony on September 11?

We need to keep things in perspective here, please!

What's this? NotBob merry again? Well, there's no surprise there, but this time it is a different type of merry (or is it?) as is evidenced by this one singular photograph:

Too opaque to be your ordinary cider, yet too yellow to be orange juice. Has NotBob gone teetotal and is manfully attacking pints of pineapple juice?

NO!

That there be NotBob's first pint of Addlestones cider served at his local, not three minutes walk away from home!

Guess who's a very, very happy bunny tonight!

WOO and, indeed, HOOO!

An email arrives:

Medium risk This message was marked as junk and will be deleted after ten days.
Lucky Winner‏
From: knilltrailer[at]bellnet.ca
Medium riskYou may not know this sender.Mark as safe|Mark as junk
Sent: 07 July 2009 19:55:27
To: info[at]won.net

You have won!!! congrat, Verify this mail by sending your name, address, age, phone number Occuption to (irish112[at]w.cn)

I don't think so, matey.

There's nothing worse than two-sentence phishers...

In response to Benjamy's Challenge

This is what was in front of me at noon today:

And in the background there was the hum of my photocopier, printers and PCs mixed in with the sound of one of a selection of chillout tunes from my vast CD collection.

I was thinking, "It's midday with bright sunshine, though some of those clouds out there look rather threatening. I bet it absolutely hoofs it down by the time I go out to lunch."

I was not wrong. I'm now dripping all over the floor of my lunchtime local.
Still, at least now I'm getting wet on the inside as well!

The Legend Of Knockgrafton

There was once a poor man who lived in the fertile glen of Aherlow, at the foot of the gloomy Galtee mountains, and he had a great hump on his back: he looked just as if his body had been rolled up and placed upon his shoulders; and his head was pressed down with the weight so much that his chin, when he was sitting, would rest upon his knees for support. The country people were rather shy of meeting him in any lonesome place, for though the poor creature was as harmless and as inoffensive as a new-born infant his deformity was so great that he scarcely appeared to be a human being, and some ill-minded people had set strange stories about him afloat. He was said to have great knowledge of herbs and charms, but certain it was that he had a mighty skillful hand in plaiting straw and rushes into hats and baskets, which was how he made his livelihood.

Lusmore, for that was the nickname granted him for the sprig of fairycap* in his little straw hat, would ever get a higher penny for his plaited work than anyone else, and perhaps that was the reason why someone, out of envy, had circulated the strange stories about him. Be that as it may, it happened that he was returning one evening from the pretty town of Cahir towards Cappagh, and as little Lusmore walked very slowly, on account of the great hump on his back, it was quite dark when he came to the old moat of Knockgrafton, which stood on the right side of his road. Tired and weary was he, and not comfortable in his own mind at thinking how much farther he had to travel, and that he should be walking all night. So he sat down under the moat to rest himself, and he began looking mournfully at the moon, which rising in clouded majesty, at length,
Apparent Queen, unveiled her peerless light,
And o’er the dark her silver mantle threw.

Presently there rose a wild strain of unearthly melody upon the ear of little Lusmore. He listened and he thought that he had never heard such ravishing music before. It was like the sound of many voices, each mingling and blending with the other so strangely that they seemed to be one, though all singing different strains, and the words of the song were these:-
Da Luan, Da Mort, Da Luan, Da Mort, Da Luan Da Mort, when there would be a pause before the round of melody went on again.

Lusmore listened attentively, barely drawing a breath lest he might lose the slightest note. He now plainly could tell that the singing came from within the moat and, though at first it had charmed him so, he began to get tired of hearing the same round sung over and over so often without any change, so availing of the pause when the "Da Luan, Da Mort" had been sung three times, he took up the tune and raised it with the words "augus Da Cadine," and then went on singing with the voices inside of the moat, "Da Luan, Da Mort," finishing the melody when again the pause came with "augus Da Cadine." **

The faeries within Knockgrafton, for the song was a faerie melody, when they heard this addition to their tune were so delighted that with instant resolve it was determined to bring the mortal among them whose musical skill so far exceeded theirs, and little Lusmore was conveyed into their company with the eddying speed of a whirlwind. Glorious to behold was the sight that burst upon him as he came down through the moat, twirling round and round and round with the lightness of a straw, to the sweetest music that kept time to his motion. The greatest honour was then paid him, for he was put up above all the musicians, and he had servants attending upon him and everything to his heart’s content, and a hearty welcome to all. In short he was made as much of as if he had been the first man in the land.

Presently Lusmore saw a great consultation going forward amongst the faeries and, notwithstanding their civility, he felt very much frightened until one, stepping out from the rest, came up to him and said,

Lusmore! Lusmore!
Doubt not, nor deplore,
For the hump which you bore,
upon your back is no more!
Look down on the floor,
And view it, Lusmore!

When these words were said, poor little Lusmore felt himself so light and so happy that he thought he could have bounded at one jump over the moon, and he saw, with inexpressible pleasure, his hump tumble down to the ground from his shoulders. He then tried to lift up his head, and did so with becoming caution, fearing that it might knock against the ceiling of the grand hall where he was. He looked round and round again with the greatest wonder and delight upon everything which appeared more and more beautiful, and, overpowered at beholding such a resplendent scene, his head grew dizzy and his eyesight became dim. at last he fell into a sound sleep. When he awoke he found that it was broad daylight, the sun was shining brightly, the birds were sweetly singing, and he was lying just at the foot of the moat of Knockgrafton with the cows and sheep grazing peacefully around about him. The first thing Lusmore did after saying his prayers was to put his hand behind his back to feel for the hump, but there was no sign of it at all, and he looked at himself with great pride for he had now become a well-shaped dapper little fellow, and more than that, he found himself in a full suit of new clothes, which he concluded the faeries had made for him.

Towards Cappagh he went, stepping out as lightly and springing with every step as if he had for all his life been a dancing master. Not a creature who met Lusmore knew him without his hump and he had a hard time to persuade everyone that he was the same man – in truth he was not, so far as outward appearances went.

Of course it was not long before the story of Lusmore’s hump got about, and a great wonder was made of it. Throughout the country it was the talk of everyone, high and low.

One morning as Lusmore was sitting contented enough at his cabin door, up came an old woman to him, and asked if he could direct her to Cappagh.

"I need give you no directions, my good woman," said Lusmore, "for this is Cappagh. And who do you want here?"

"I have come," said the woman, "out of Decie’s country, in the county of Waterford, looking for one called Lusmore who, I have heard tell, had his hump taken off by the faeries, for there is a son of a gossip of mine has got a hump on him that will be his death, and maybe if he could use the same charm as Lusmore the hump may be taken off of him. And now I have told you the reason for my coming so far ‘tis to find out about this charm if I can."

Lusmore, who was ever a good-natured fellow, told the woman all the particulars, how he had raised the tune for the faeries at Knockgrafton, how his hump had been removed from his shoulders and how he had got a new suit of clothes into the bargain.

The woman thanked him very much and then went away quite happy and easy in her own mind. When she came back to her gossip’s house in the county of Waterford, she told her everything that Lusmore had said, and they put the little hump-backed man, who was a cunning and peevish creature from his birth, upon a carriage and took him all the way across the country. It was a long journey, but they did not care for that, so the hump was taken off from him, and they brought him just at nightfall and left him at the old moat of Knockgrafton.

Jack Madden, for that was the hump-backed man’s name, had not been sitting there long when he heard the tune going on within the moat much sweeter than before, for the faeries were singing it the way Lusmore had settled their music for them, and the song was going on: Da Luan, Da Mort, Da Luan, Da Mort, Da Luan, Da Mort, augus Da Cadine, without ever stopping. Jack Madden, who was in such a hurry to get rid of his hump, never thought of waiting until the faeries had done, or watching for a fit opportunity to raise the tune higher again than Lusmore had. So, having heard them sing it over and over seven times without stopping, out he bawls, never minding the time or the humour of the tune, or how he would bring his words in properly, augus Da Cadine, augus Da Hena***, thinking that if one day was good, two were better, and that if Lusmore had one new suit of clothes given to him, he should have two.

No sooner had the words passed his lips than he was taken up and whisked into the moat with prodigious force, and the faeries came crowding around him with great anger, screeching and screaming, and roaring out, "who spoiled our tune? Who spoiled our tune?" and one stepped up to him above the rest and said,

Jack Madden! Jack Madden!
Your words came so bad in
The tune we feel glad in –
This castle you’re had in,
That your life we may sadden:
Here’s two humps for Jack Madden!

And twenty of the strongest faeries brought Lusmore’s hump and put it down upon poor Jack’s back, over his own, where it became fixed as firmly as if it was nailed on with twelvepenny nails by the best carpenter that ever drove one. Out of their castle they then kicked him, and in the morning when Jack Madden’s mother and her gossip came to look after their little man, they found him half dead, lying at the foot of the moat with the other hump upon his back. Well, to be sure, how they did look at each other! But they were afraid to say anything lest a hump be put upon their own shoulders. Home they brought the unlucky Jack Madden with them, as downcast in their hearts and their looks as ever two gossips were, and what through the weight of his other hump and the long journey, he died soon after, leaving his heavy curse to anyone who would go to listen to faerie tunes again.

---

* Lusmore – literally the great herb, digitalis purpurea - foxglove, or fairy cap.

** Correctly written ”Dia Luain, Dia Mairt, agus Dia Ceadaoine,” (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday)

***and Wednesday and Thursday

Finally! I'm live on my works intranet!

Jobhunting will never be something I have to set time aside for again. I can do it all from my office, at last!

And now I have a new email address to try to remember...

This one struck a chord...

Click pic for link.

It's the weekend, so I spend my time trying to forget the s*** I'm going through at work by visiting my local pub and leaving work at work where it belongs. Fair enough, wouldn't you say?

So why do some of my so-called "friends" insist on not just asking, but actually interrogating me about my situation at work?

"When are you moving to Andover?" they ask.

"I'm not. I'm going to lose my job in December." I reply.

"Oh, well, You'll get a good payout from them then. After all you've been working for them for how long?"

"Twenty years, and no I won't. I'll be shoved into the redeployment pool next month, and if I don't take up another position within the Ministry there'll be disciplinary action taken against me. It's their way of avoiding redundancy payouts and it effing sucks." I reply. "I'm just going to see if anything I fancy comes up, but if not - well..." *shrugs*

"They can't do that, surely?"

"Apparently, they can..."

And the saga continues.

It's the weekend! I want to forget about work for an entire 48 hours, thankyouverymuch.

And people wonder why I've suddenly become even more introverted than normal.

For our friends over the water on that big continent to the West...

News of the flypast(s) of the ISS on Independence Day, complete with times and inclinations State by State (Other countries' stats are also available).

Go on, Get yer telescopes out!

While H1N1 swine flu is not as worrying as some sections of the media like to make out, this article is rather disconcerting. I don't see, however, that there is too much to worry about as, like other forms of flu virus, it is only fatal if there are pre-existing health problems. Most of us, if we are unfortunate enough to contract it, will end up with a bit of a sniffle and a few days off work.

Gods, I'm beginning to be tempted to get it now! A few days off work? If only!

I was deeply saddened yesterday at the passing of one of this country's finest comedy actresses.

Mary Isobel 'Mollie' Sugden (21 July 1922 – 1 July 2009) was an English comedy actress best known for portraying the saleswoman Mrs. Slocombe in the popular British sitcom Are You Being Served? from 1972 to 1985. She later reprised this role in Grace & Favour, which ran from 1992 to 1993. Sugden also appeared in The Liver Birds and Coronation Street.

Early life and career

Mary Isobel Sugden was born in Keighley in Yorkshire in 1922. When she was four years old, she heard a woman reading a poem at a village concert making people laugh. The following Christmas, after being asked if she could "do anything", Sugden read this poem and everyone fell about laughing. She later remarked that their response made her "realise how wonderful it was to make people laugh". Shortly after she left school, the Second World War broke out, and Sugden worked in a munitions factory in Keighley making shells for the Royal Navy. However, she was later made redundant so she attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

When Sugden graduated from the Guildhall School of Drama, she worked in rep for eight years with a company that included Eric Sykes and Roy Dotrice. She also had work in radio and made her television debut in a live half-hour comedy show. Sugden's other appearances before Are You Being Served? included parts in Benny Hill, Just Jimmy, Z-Cars, Up Pompeii!, The Goodies, Steptoe and Son and five episodes of Jackanory in 1968.

Television fame

Mollie Sugden's first regular sitcom role was from 1962 to 1966 when she played Mrs. Crispin in the sitcom Hugh and I. Hugh and I was written by John Chapman and when he got involved with The Liver Birds, he suggested Sugden for the role of Sandra's mother, Mrs Hutchinson. She portrayed Mrs Hutchinson from 1971 to 1979, and years later in 1996, when The Liver Birds was revived Sugden reprised the role, despite being on steroids at the time due to suffering from polymyalgia. In 1973, she appeared in Son of the Bride.

However, Sugden's big break that gave her nationwide fame was the role of Mrs Slocombe—a department-store saleswoman with a socially superior attitude, a repertoire of double entendres, and a penchant for bouffant, pastel-colored coiffures—in the popular and long-running Are You Being Served?, which ran from 1972 to 1985. In 1978, when it was thought that Are You Being Served? was over, she was the lead star in Come Back Mrs Noah, a sitcom that is regarded by some as one of the worst ever made. From 1965 to 1976, she intermittently played Nellie Harvey, the land-lady of The Laughing Donkey pub, in Coronation Street. In this she often appeared opposite Annie Walker, landlady of the Rovers Return. Later in 1986, she had a 23-week stint on That's Life!.

Mollie Sugden also played main roles in other sitcoms, including That's My Boy, that ran from 1981 to 1986 and My Husband and I. My Husband and I ran from 1987 to 1988 and she played opposite her husband, William Moore (1916-2000), whom she married on 29 March 1958 having met him at Swansea rep. They had twin sons, Robin and Simon, who were born in 1964.

Later years

Seven years after the end of Are You Being Served?, five of the original cast - including Sugden - came together to appear in Grace & Favour, where the staff are left a manor house in the country, in which they have to live. This was titled Are You Being Served? Again! when it aired in the United States. It lasted for two series until 1993. Other recent appearances include Just William, Oliver's Travels and The Bill. Sugden was mentioned in Little Britain, by a regular character who claims to have been Sugden's bridesmaid, and never talks about anything else. Sugden appears herself in the final episode of the first series where the character throws a knife at her back after she does not recognise the person and says that her only bridesmaid was in fact somebody else.

In 2002 a tribute programme called Celebrating Mollie Sugden: An Are You Being Served? Special aired on American PBS stations featuring several members of the cast of Are You Being Served?

Sugden died at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford on 1 July 2009 of unspecified natural causes.

Mollie, you were loved while you were with us, and that love will go on.

It's been chaos in my office today as the new IT equipment has turned up bit by bit. Printer first - yesterday - then the screen, followed by the keyboard and mouse this morning and finally this afternoon they came up with the base unit. It's a really snazzy new flat screen, so that means I have plenty more room on that desk to store junk on.

Tomorrow I'll be getting some familiarisation training and will be given my login and password, then I can ignore it like I did with the old system.

Nah, seriously, I'll be straight onto the jobs pages before you know it.

I left the pub this evening yet again to the sound of someone whistling a certain tune, and when I got home what should I find is being shown on five?

Yup...

Ooooeeeoooeeeooo, wah wah wah.

From HERE

Find a photo of something that you think is beautiful and post it on your blog.

Why did you choose this picture/image?

The reason I chose this pic? The softness of the blurred girl against the clear harsh lines of the two trains lends her an ethereal, almost ghost-like presence in this shot which I would call one of my best ever "accidentals". All I wanted to capture was the uncoupling of the trains (yes, I'm a bit of an anorak) and she just made the shot perfect.

This afternoon saw the arrival of my new A3 colour printer. Weighing in at 85kg it's quite a beastie, and it took three strapping lads to get it up on the table.

I've not been able to have a play with it yet as it's going to be linked up to my new terminal when that arrives. Hopefully that will be tomorrow. Then I'll have to look through some instruction leaflets and sign them off as seen so that I can get my login and password for the new IT system, which will make it far, far easier to look for a new job around here.

Talking of which, my boss, the one who decided that both his and my positions were surplus to requirement, has been trawling through the vacancies notices and has thrown a few my way. There was one this afternoon which caught my eye for an admin clerk in the transport section. I quite fancy the idea of working with transport after my 9 years in graphics and 11 years in registry/admin. One problem though - the closing date for applications was yesterday. Pooh. Ah, well, at least someone's keeping an eye open for me.

In other news, I have a new clock! Wooo!

The two digital displays are outside temperature on the left, and on the right indoor temperature. As you can see at 5pm it was 30C outside and a sweltering 28.9C in my office. As The Sun would say - "Phew! What a Scorcher!"

Right. Now I'm off to book my train tickets for Hull and then I've got a quiz to compile.

If only THIS had come into effect a couple of months earlier, I might not have had such a shock when I opened my last phone bill...

Ho-hum.