Grateful for Penicillin Discovery

Like so many people in Belgium at the moment, my young son has a lung infection. He said he felt "in hell" with the painful throat, high temperature, difficulty in breathing and sickness.

A hundred years ago he would probably have died as did so many people from simple colds and similar infections but thanks to the discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, a professor of bacteriology at St. Mary's Hospital in London, my son is sure to survive. One bottle of Amoxycillin anti-biotics is making him better quickly.

Therefore, today I am very grateful that Fleming discovered penicillin and that so many scientists labour everyday to find new medical advancements.

Ramada Jarvis Hotels offer over 40 quality hotels throughout the UK.

Pack in the sights and sounds with a City Break! Exciting city breaks from £46.00 per person per night based on two people sharing a twin/double room for two nights Bed & Breakfast. Dinner packages have a £20 allowance towards the a la carte menu.

Or relaxing countryside hotels from £89.00 per person per night Bed & Breakfast with free use of Sebastian Coe Health Clubs with pools, spa baths and exercise equipment to help you look and feel your best!

Right now, Ramada Jarvis Hotels offer a number of packages including Family attractions, Winter Warmer, Pampering, City Breaks, Romantic Getaways and rooms from just £59 per night.

Your Kid Has Been Kidnapped

A blonde, out of money and down on her luck after buying air at a real bargain, needed money desperately. To raise cash, she decided to kidnap a child and hold him for ransom.

She went to the local playground, grabbed a kid randomly, took her behind a building, and told her, "I've kidnapped you."

She then wrote a big note saying, "I've kidnapped your kid. Tomorrow morning, put $10,000 in a paper bag and leave it under the apple tree next to the slides on the south side of the playground. Signed, A blonde."

The blonde then pinned the note to the kid's shirt and sent him home to show it to his parents. The next morning the blonde checked, and sure enough, a paper bag was sitting beneath the apple tree. The blonde looked in the bag and found the $10,000 with a note that said, "How could you do this to a fellow blonde?"

Best News Headlines of 2007

THE YEAR'S BEST [actual] HEADLINES OF 2007:

Crack Found on Governor's Daughter
[Imagine that!]

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says[No, really?]

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
[Now that's taking things a bit far!]

Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
[Not if I wipe thoroughly!]

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
[What a guy!]

Miners Refuse to Work after Death[No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so!]

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
[See if that works any better than a fair trial!]

War Dims Hope for Peace
[I can see where it might have that effect!]

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
[You think?]

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
[Who would have thought!]

Enfield Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
[They may be on to something!]

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
[You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?]

Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
[he probably IS the battery charge!]

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
[Weren't they fat enough?!]

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
[That's what he gets for eating those beans!]

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
[Taste like chicken?]

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
[Chainsaw Massacre all over again!]

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
[Boy, are they tall!]

And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity
and send this to someone to whom you want to bring a smile (Maybe even a chuckle).
We all need a good laugh, keep laughing it will keep you young...

London Fireworks at New Year 2008

I took my children to London over the New Year and for the first time ever, was in Central London with the crowd of tens of thousands. I am ashamed to say as a Londoner that I had never done this before but this year made the effort to watch the live fireworks show over the river around the London Eye and Big Ben.

Here is someone's video posted on YouTube:


If you ever have a chance, go to London over New Year. You can arrange all your travel on EuroTravel.

Viagra Recipe

The Recipe

I knew it......I knew it!

I knew they would finally release the ingredients in Viagra!

3% Vitamin E
2% Aspirin
2% Ibuprofen
1% Vitamin C
5% Spray Starch
87% Fix-A-Flat

A Meditation on Presidential Faith

By Barbara Brotman of the Chicago Tribune, December 14, 2007

Moderator: Governor, some voters have expressed concern about your faith. How would you respond to them?

Former Gov. Mitt Dharma: I want to assure the American public that while my religion will never interfere with the performance of my office, I am a true Buddhist. I believe that life is suffering, that suffering is caused by desire and that it is possible to eliminate desire and suffering and thus achieve nirvana. My fellow Buddhists can rest assured that I am one of them.

Former Gov. Mike Anapanasati: I'd like to say that I respect Gov. Dharma and his beliefs, whatever they may be. Far be it from me to question another man's Buddhism. But let me just say that I have spent my life trying to follow the eightfold path. I believe the American people are looking for a mindful and meditative leader. I am mindful; I am meditative; and I believe I can lead this contemplative nation into a great future.

Former Sen. Fred Koan: For myself, I don't apologize for my relationship with the Buddha or the bodhisattvas. I don't apologize for my daily meditation practice. I'm all right with the Dalai Lama and the Dalai Lama's all right with me, as far as I know.

Moderator: Could you discuss the differences between your religious beliefs?

Gov. Dharma: My opponents have tried to paint themselves as better Buddhists than I. But I have striven all my life to conquer ambition and desire. I want nothing. There is no one who wants nothing more than I do, and I think the American people know that.

Gov. Anapanasati: Excuse me, but I take exception. The fact is, as the American people know, that I want nothing more than anyone in this race. I am proud to want nothing, and I can say without hesitation that I have spent my entire life wanting nothing.

Moderator: Don't you want to be president?

Gov. Anapanasati: Yes, but in a contemplative way that in no way detracts from my Buddhist beliefs.

Sen. Koan: I think it's clear that you can want something and still be committed to a life of not wanting anything. The question here is which candidate is most likely to transcend the cycle of birth and death. And I think it's clear to the American people which candidate that is.

Moderator: Are you saying, senator, that you are going to transcend the cycle of birth and death?

Sen. Koan: That is my intention.

Moderator: Gov. Dharma? Do you intend to transcend the cycle of birth and death?

Gov. Dharma: I do, with all my heart. And yet without actually desiring it, because, as I say, I am a true Buddhist, and desire is the cause of all suffering.

Gov. Anapanasati: I think it's for the American people to decide which candidate will transcend the cycle of birth and death, as I was saying to Richard Gere the other day.

Moderator: More voters are questioning candidates' spiritual practices. Can each of you answer the question – do you meditate?

Sen. Koan: Every day.

Gov. Anapanasati: Yes, but in a full lotus position? I meditate twice a day in a lotus position.

Gov. Dharma: I have to question whether the other candidates really empty their minds. I think the American people are looking for a president who can empty his mind completely. And I am proud to say that when I meditate, you can hear crickets.

Moderator: May I ask each of you, have you achieved enlightenment?

Sen. Koan: Absolutely. I am completely enlightened, and I'm not ashamed to say it.

Gov. Anapanasati: I achieved enlightenment early in life, and have been steadfast in my enlightenment ever since.

Gov. Dharma: With all due respect for my worthy opponents, I have achieved perfect enlightenment in which all dualities have fused and ceased to exist as separate entities. I am every bit as Buddhist as the other candidates. I think the American people know genuine Buddhism when they see it, and I think they know that our shared beliefs make me ideally suited for the presidency. Although, of course, I don't really want it.

Moderator: Thank you. And now can you each answer the following question: What is the sound of one candidate losing?

Sen. Koan, we'll start with you.

Barbara Brotman is a Tribune staff reporter.

Chicago Tribune

Snoopy Talks About Santa Ant

I compiled this years ago and it appears every Christmas with our decorations - a cartoon of Snoopy discussing so-called Santa Ant. Always a favourite.

UK Lollipop Lady banned from wearing Christmas costume

For the past 20 years, lollipop lady Margaret Russell, 54, has delighted pupils, parents and motorists in Millbrook, Southampton by wearing Christmas costumes, while at her crossing, to raise money for charity. Previously she has helped children cross the road dressed as a turkey, reindeer, a star and even a Christmas tree.

But after a complaint by two parents, the Scrooge-like council chiefs at the city council said she could not take children across the road unless she wore her reflective coat. Mrs Russell, who prepared this golden bell costume for the current holiday season, has been banned from wearing the fancy dress for safety reasons

Mrs Russell, a grandmother who is collecting for the mayor of Southampton's appeal fund, said:

"I was pretty cheesed off when they told me because I'd spent a lot of time and effort on this year's costume. Why am I suddenly a health and safety risk? When they used the expression I thought they were saying 'elf and safety' for a joke."

View Margaret's previous Christmas costumes (slide show)
A council spokesman said,
"If a crossing patrol supervisor does not wear a reflective jacket they are not insured and if hit, the motorist could not be prosecuted."

A mother hit back at the decision. Sandy McCarthy said,
"It's absolutely terrible. We've been living here for about 10 years and she's made a new costume every year."

Parents and councillors have joined to attack the move branding it "political correctness gone mad". Two people complained so everyone loses out. A typical reaction of Britain bowing down to the minority and ignoring the wishes of the majority.

Read here about the Belgian who tried to make zebra crossings more colourful and interesting.

3 Books for Her This Christmas

HOW TO SHOP WITH MARY, QUEEN OF SHOPS
- Mary Portas
RRP £14.99 - buy for £8.99 on Amazon
What Mary Portas doesn't know about shopping isn't worth knowing. Here, she shares her tips on how to be a cannier shopper, from how to read a shop window to when to bag a bargain. Don't hit the sales without it.


NIGELLA EXPRESS
- Nigella Lawson
RRP £25 - buy for £11.25 on Amazon
Busy women everywhere will appreciate a copy of the Domestic Goddess's latest offering. It's full of practical recipes for real food, but faster, with clever shortcuts and nifty time-saving ideas to enable you to create home-made meals that fit in with hectic lives.


BEST OF JACKIEANNUAL
For any woman in 40s or early 50s, this Jackie annual will bring hilarious nostalgic gems, to pore over and enjoy. With compulsive quizzes, such as 'Are You Nice or Nasty?', great advice, including 'A Jackie Guide to Kissing', super fashion stories, pop and TV news, plus a cautionary Reader's True Experience photo story 'I Tried to Change Him', nobody is going to want to miss out on this.
RRP £12.99 buy on Amazon for £9.09

You are Special and Unique

This should probably be taped to your bathroom mirror where one could read it everyday. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to someone.
7. You are special and unique.
8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.
11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

So..........If you are a loving friend, send this to everyone, including the one that sent it to you. If you get it back, then they really do love you.

And always remember....when life hands you Lemons, ask for tequila and salt and call a friend over!

Good friends are like stars.......You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

'Whenever God closes one door He always opens another, even though sometimes it's Hell in the hallway'


I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here than a whole truck load when I'm gone.

FORWARD THIS MESSAGE
Forward to all your friends and don't tell me you're too busy for this. Don't you know the phrase 'stop and smell the flowers'? See how many 'bouquets' you end up with!

The Holocaust removed from UK School Curriculum

It is a matter of history that when Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps, he ordered all possible photographs to be taken and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead.

He did this because he said in words to this effect: 'Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the track of history some bastard will get up and say that this never happened.'

In Memorial

This week, the UK removed The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offended' the Muslim population which claims it never occurred.

This is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving into it.

It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended.

This message is being posted as a memorial chain, in memory of the:
- 6 million Jews,
- 20 million Russians,
- 10 million Christians
- and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated while the German and Russian peoples looked the other way.

Now, more than ever, with Iran, among others, claiming the Holocaust to be a `myth`, it is imperative to make sure the world NEVER forgets.

This message is intended to reach 40 million people worldwide.

Be a link in the memorial chain and help distribute this around the world. Comment on this blog posting. Copy the message and send it by email.

Don't just ignore this. It will take a minute to pass this along.

'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing'.
- Edmund Burke

The Girls - a story of conjoined twins

I have always been fascinated by conjoined or Siamese twins so read with interest Lori Lansens' novel 'The Girls' about Rose and Ruby Darlen, the world's oldest craniopagus twins (=joined at the head).

Known simply as 'The Girls' they obviously go everywhere together, share everything but are quite different characters.

They make friends, fall in love, have jobs, love their parents and follow their dreams. But the Darlens are special. Now nearing their 30th birthday, they are history's oldest craniopagus twins.

When Rose, the bookish sister, sets out to write her autobiography, it inevitably becomes the story of her short but extraordinary life with Ruby, the beautiful one. From their awkward first steps — Ruby's arm curled around Rose's neck, her foreshortened legs wrapped around Rose's hips — to the friendships they gradually build for themselves in the small town of Leaford, this is the profoundly affecting chronicle of an incomparable life journey. As Rose and Ruby's story builds to an unforgettable conclusion, Lansens aims at the heart of human experience — the hardship of loss and struggles for independence and the fundamental joy of simply living a life. This is a breath taking novel, one that no reader will soon forget, a heartrending story of love between sisters.

Rose writes their story beginning, "I have never looked into my sister's eyes. I have never looked into my sister's eyes. I have never bathed alone.". She describes the events surrounding their birth, who raised them, life in Canadian countryside and what life is like, knowing you can never be separated.

The Girls was included in the Richard and Judy book club and shortlisted in the British Book Awards 2007. I recommend this book "I promise you will never forget this extraordinary story" (Isabel Allende).

Chocolate

Heard on Stephen Fry's QI:

"If God was a woman, sperm would taste of chocolate."

Wembley under Tarmac for Race of Champions

I was astonished to hear that the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium in London will be covered in 1,800 tonnes of tarmac for a motor racing 'Race of Champions' on 16 December.

Retired seven times Formula One champion Michael Schumacher has confirmed his participation while organisers said Lewis Hamilton, the 22-year-old rookie leading the standings for McLaren, had expressed an interest. "I hope that my participation can help the event organisers raise even more funds and awareness for the Institute for Cerebral and Medullary Disorders," Schumacher said in a statement. Drivers include David Coulthard and Jenson Button.

"It could be a unique occasion, the only occasion to see him compete against Michael Schumacher," said Fredrik Johnsson, founder of the event which brings together champions and leading drivers from across the world of motorsport.

The Race of Champions, previously held at the Stade de France in Paris, will have a rally-style format with knockout heats on a two-lane asphalt track inside the new Wembley Stadium.

"Transforming Wembley Stadium into a proper tarmac race track in five days is a huge and costly project," said Fredrik Johnsson. "Just to re-lay the famous football pitch after The Race of Champions costs over £150,000, but the result is spectacular!" Tickets from £35 at Ticketmaster.

The Race of Champions site

After seeing the state of the pitch when they sacreligiously allowed American Football - a factor I am sure in England's defeat against Croatia - I am surprised that the powers to be of Wembley are continuing in their money-making ideas. Granted, this time, they will relay the pitch.

I heard that Russia has a stadium with a football pitch on a sort of tray which is wheeled away to reveal an ice skating rink. That makes more sense.