Something that made me smile...
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
Now normally, I don't follow football, but this cartoon in the Daily Mail had me giggling...
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
*********************************************************************************
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
*********************************************************************************
 |
| “….and when Manchester United scored their eighth goal, what did you do then, Sir?” |
Car Hiccups
Posted by
Karen
comments (1)
I was late into the office this morning, and the reason? Hiccups. Not mine – the car’s. I thought I had seen the back of the dreaded gearbox error message on the car when I had the sensor replaced in March, the car seemed to settle down and didn’t give me any problems.
Ok – so it seemed a little reluctant to pull away a couple of times, and I put it down to the fact that I was on the white line, meaning that the tyre couldn’t get the necessary traction… It was the same this morning, then it threw the dreaded error. Thank god its not done it when Mum’s been in the car – she would have been really worried, thinking that the car had a major problem. I admit it is a problem, but it’s one that I can deal with.
So one trip in to Arbury Peugeot (having confirmed that there were no warning lights on other than the blasted gearbox warning on the main display, I was able to get some coolant, and was told to wait until the car was cold and level, then do the top up, to bring the car back up to where it should be.
Needless to say, this will be something that I will keep a close eye on, as the last thing that I want is the car frying itself.
Ah well, guess I should be doing some w*rk, but I have a case of TNFI, and it’s only Tuesday.
Back when I get the chance…
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
Ok – so it seemed a little reluctant to pull away a couple of times, and I put it down to the fact that I was on the white line, meaning that the tyre couldn’t get the necessary traction… It was the same this morning, then it threw the dreaded error. Thank god its not done it when Mum’s been in the car – she would have been really worried, thinking that the car had a major problem. I admit it is a problem, but it’s one that I can deal with.
So one trip in to Arbury Peugeot (having confirmed that there were no warning lights on other than the blasted gearbox warning on the main display, I was able to get some coolant, and was told to wait until the car was cold and level, then do the top up, to bring the car back up to where it should be.
Needless to say, this will be something that I will keep a close eye on, as the last thing that I want is the car frying itself.
Ah well, guess I should be doing some w*rk, but I have a case of TNFI, and it’s only Tuesday.
Back when I get the chance…
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
Can't you tell it's a Friday
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
It's a Friday, and I'm bored stiff. Thankfully, there are some cracking jokes being sent, and this is one of them.
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
***************************************************************************
SOUTHERN CHARM
Two informally dressed ladies happened to start up a conversation during an endless wait in the L A X airport.
The first lady was an arrogant California woman married to a wealthy man.
The second was a well mannered elderly woman from the South.
When the conversation centered on whether they had any children, the California woman started by saying, "When my first child was born, my husband built a beautiful mansion for me."
The lady from the South commented, "Well, bless your heart."
The first woman continued, "When my second child was born, my husband bought me a beautiful Mercedes-Benz..
Again, the lady from the South commented, "Well, bless your heart."
The first woman continued boasting, "Then, when my third child was born, my husband bought me this exquisite diamond bracelet.
Yet again, the Southern lady commented, "Well, bless your heart."
The first woman then asked her companion, "What did your husband buy for you when you had your first child?"
"My husband sent me to charm school," declared the Southern lady.
"Charm school?" the first woman cried, "Oh, my God! What on earth for?"
The Southern lady responded, "Well for example, instead of saying "Who gives a shit?" I learned to say, "Well, bless your heart".
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
***************************************************************************
SOUTHERN CHARM
Two informally dressed ladies happened to start up a conversation during an endless wait in the L A X airport.
The first lady was an arrogant California woman married to a wealthy man.
The second was a well mannered elderly woman from the South.
When the conversation centered on whether they had any children, the California woman started by saying, "When my first child was born, my husband built a beautiful mansion for me."
The lady from the South commented, "Well, bless your heart."
The first woman continued, "When my second child was born, my husband bought me a beautiful Mercedes-Benz..
Again, the lady from the South commented, "Well, bless your heart."
The first woman continued boasting, "Then, when my third child was born, my husband bought me this exquisite diamond bracelet.
Yet again, the Southern lady commented, "Well, bless your heart."
The first woman then asked her companion, "What did your husband buy for you when you had your first child?"
"My husband sent me to charm school," declared the Southern lady.
"Charm school?" the first woman cried, "Oh, my God! What on earth for?"
The Southern lady responded, "Well for example, instead of saying "Who gives a shit?" I learned to say, "Well, bless your heart".
Only in Canada
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
There are some things that don't need explaining - and this is one of them.
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
**********************************************************************
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
**********************************************************************
Italian women are tough!
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
Just a little something that made me smile.
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
************************************************************************
An elderly Italian man lay dying in his bed. While suffering the agonies of impending death, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favourite ravioli wafting up the stairs.
He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from the bed. Gripping the railing with both hands, he crawled downstairs.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen, where if not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven for there, spread out upon waxed paper on the kitchen table were hundreds of his favourite ravioli.
Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of love from his wife of sixty years, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
He threw himself towards the table, landing on his knees in a crumpled posture.
His parched lips parted, the wondrous taste of the ravioli was already in his mouth.
With a trembling hand he reached up to the edge of the table, when suddenly he was smacked with a wooden spoon by his wife.
"Va fanculo!" she said. "Questi sono per il funerale."
(Translation: F. off. These are for the funeral)
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
************************************************************************
An elderly Italian man lay dying in his bed. While suffering the agonies of impending death, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favourite ravioli wafting up the stairs.
He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from the bed. Gripping the railing with both hands, he crawled downstairs.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen, where if not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven for there, spread out upon waxed paper on the kitchen table were hundreds of his favourite ravioli.
Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of love from his wife of sixty years, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
He threw himself towards the table, landing on his knees in a crumpled posture.
His parched lips parted, the wondrous taste of the ravioli was already in his mouth.
With a trembling hand he reached up to the edge of the table, when suddenly he was smacked with a wooden spoon by his wife.
"Va fanculo!" she said. "Questi sono per il funerale."
(Translation: F. off. These are for the funeral)
On-the-spot fines planned for careless driving
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
This was announced this morning, and this seems to be rather interesting… The BBC has got this on it’s website…. As normal, I’ll post my thoughts at the end.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
*********************************************************************************
Police will get powers to fine careless drivers on the spot, rather than taking them to court, as part of a government strategy to make Britain's roads safer.
Ministers say motorists who tail-gate, undertake or cut others up often go unpunished and that introducing instant penalties would be more efficient.
Offenders would get a fine of at least £80 and three points on their licence.
Critics say the approach - likely to be introduced in 2012 in England, Scotland and Wales - is too simplistic.
Drug crackdown
Currently motorists who have driven in a careless manner have to be prosecuted through the courts.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will give a written statement to MPs on Wednesday explaining the new strategy for England, Scotland and Wales.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said it would also include a crackdown on drug-driving and the closing of loopholes that allow people to escape drink-driving charges.
Disqualified drivers would have to undergo retraining, and possibly take another test, before they got their licence back.
Courts would be encouraged to make more use of their powers to seize vehicles for the most serious offences.
Ministers insist the new approach will try to target genuinely reckless motorists rather than those who normally follow the rules but make an inadvertent mistake.
There will be support for new drivers who need to hone their driving skills, and wider range of retraining and education courses for cases of less-serious offences.
'Greatest danger'
A DfT spokesman said: "The strategy will focus on cracking down on the really reckless drivers through more efficient enforcement.
"By giving the police the tools to deal with those who present the greatest danger to others we can make our roads even safer.
"While seeking to do everything possible to tackle the most dangerous drivers, the strategy will also help the responsible majority to improve their driving.
"This is the government's twin approach to improving road safety."
But the Institute of Advanced Motorists said on-the-spot fines were not necessarily the right approach for careless driving because, unlike speeding, cases were often not clear-cut.
It also said their introduction could make police reluctant to enter into lengthy prosecutions even in more serious cases.
*********************************************************************************
Good idea in theory, as it should mean that there are more traffic officers on the roads, but in practise? Not going to work, as the budget cuts as the police are losing staff left, rights and centre. Equally, what one person considers careless, another may not see any problem with…
So I’ll reserve judgment and see what happens, as I can see this plan not making any further than the ideas stage…
K
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
*********************************************************************************
Police will get powers to fine careless drivers on the spot, rather than taking them to court, as part of a government strategy to make Britain's roads safer.
Ministers say motorists who tail-gate, undertake or cut others up often go unpunished and that introducing instant penalties would be more efficient.
Offenders would get a fine of at least £80 and three points on their licence.
Critics say the approach - likely to be introduced in 2012 in England, Scotland and Wales - is too simplistic.
Drug crackdown
Currently motorists who have driven in a careless manner have to be prosecuted through the courts.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will give a written statement to MPs on Wednesday explaining the new strategy for England, Scotland and Wales.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said it would also include a crackdown on drug-driving and the closing of loopholes that allow people to escape drink-driving charges.
Disqualified drivers would have to undergo retraining, and possibly take another test, before they got their licence back.
Courts would be encouraged to make more use of their powers to seize vehicles for the most serious offences.
Ministers insist the new approach will try to target genuinely reckless motorists rather than those who normally follow the rules but make an inadvertent mistake.
There will be support for new drivers who need to hone their driving skills, and wider range of retraining and education courses for cases of less-serious offences.
'Greatest danger'
A DfT spokesman said: "The strategy will focus on cracking down on the really reckless drivers through more efficient enforcement.
"By giving the police the tools to deal with those who present the greatest danger to others we can make our roads even safer.
"While seeking to do everything possible to tackle the most dangerous drivers, the strategy will also help the responsible majority to improve their driving.
"This is the government's twin approach to improving road safety."
But the Institute of Advanced Motorists said on-the-spot fines were not necessarily the right approach for careless driving because, unlike speeding, cases were often not clear-cut.
It also said their introduction could make police reluctant to enter into lengthy prosecutions even in more serious cases.
*********************************************************************************
Good idea in theory, as it should mean that there are more traffic officers on the roads, but in practise? Not going to work, as the budget cuts as the police are losing staff left, rights and centre. Equally, what one person considers careless, another may not see any problem with…
So I’ll reserve judgment and see what happens, as I can see this plan not making any further than the ideas stage…
K
On-the-spot fines planned for careless driving
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
This was announced this morning, and this seems to be rather interesting… The BBC has got this on it’s website…. As normal, I’ll post my thoughts at the end.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
********************************************************************************************************
Police will get powers to fine careless drivers on the spot, rather than taking them to court, as part of a government strategy to make Britain's roads safer.
Ministers say motorists who tail-gate, undertake or cut others up often go unpunished and that introducing instant penalties would be more efficient.
Offenders would get a fine of at least £80 and three points on their licence.
Critics say the approach - likely to be introduced in 2012 in England, Scotland and Wales - is too simplistic.
Drug crackdown
Currently motorists who have driven in a careless manner have to be prosecuted through the courts.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will give a written statement to MPs on Wednesday explaining the new strategy for England, Scotland and Wales.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said it would also include a crackdown on drug-driving and the closing of loopholes that allow people to escape drink-driving charges.
Disqualified drivers would have to undergo retraining, and possibly take another test, before they got their licence back.
Courts would be encouraged to make more use of their powers to seize vehicles for the most serious offences.
Ministers insist the new approach will try to target genuinely reckless motorists rather than those who normally follow the rules but make an inadvertent mistake.
There will be support for new drivers who need to hone their driving skills, and wider range of retraining and education courses for cases of less-serious offences.
'Greatest danger'
A DfT spokesman said: "The strategy will focus on cracking down on the really reckless drivers through more efficient enforcement.
"By giving the police the tools to deal with those who present the greatest danger to others we can make our roads even safer.
"While seeking to do everything possible to tackle the most dangerous drivers, the strategy will also help the responsible majority to improve their driving.
"This is the government's twin approach to improving road safety."
But the Institute of Advanced Motorists said on-the-spot fines were not necessarily the right approach for careless driving because, unlike speeding, cases were often not clear-cut.
It also said their introduction could make police reluctant to enter into lengthy prosecutions even in more serious cases.
*********************************************************************************
Good idea in theory, as it should mean that there are more traffic officers on the roads, but in practise? Not going to work, as the budget cuts as the police are losing staff left, rights and centre. Equally, what one person considers careless, another may not see any problem with…
So I’ll reserve judgment and see what happens, as I can see this plan not making any further than the ideas stage…
K
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
********************************************************************************************************
Police will get powers to fine careless drivers on the spot, rather than taking them to court, as part of a government strategy to make Britain's roads safer.
Ministers say motorists who tail-gate, undertake or cut others up often go unpunished and that introducing instant penalties would be more efficient.
Offenders would get a fine of at least £80 and three points on their licence.
Critics say the approach - likely to be introduced in 2012 in England, Scotland and Wales - is too simplistic.
Drug crackdown
Currently motorists who have driven in a careless manner have to be prosecuted through the courts.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will give a written statement to MPs on Wednesday explaining the new strategy for England, Scotland and Wales.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said it would also include a crackdown on drug-driving and the closing of loopholes that allow people to escape drink-driving charges.
Disqualified drivers would have to undergo retraining, and possibly take another test, before they got their licence back.
Courts would be encouraged to make more use of their powers to seize vehicles for the most serious offences.
Ministers insist the new approach will try to target genuinely reckless motorists rather than those who normally follow the rules but make an inadvertent mistake.
There will be support for new drivers who need to hone their driving skills, and wider range of retraining and education courses for cases of less-serious offences.
'Greatest danger'
A DfT spokesman said: "The strategy will focus on cracking down on the really reckless drivers through more efficient enforcement.
"By giving the police the tools to deal with those who present the greatest danger to others we can make our roads even safer.
"While seeking to do everything possible to tackle the most dangerous drivers, the strategy will also help the responsible majority to improve their driving.
"This is the government's twin approach to improving road safety."
But the Institute of Advanced Motorists said on-the-spot fines were not necessarily the right approach for careless driving because, unlike speeding, cases were often not clear-cut.
It also said their introduction could make police reluctant to enter into lengthy prosecutions even in more serious cases.
*********************************************************************************
Good idea in theory, as it should mean that there are more traffic officers on the roads, but in practise? Not going to work, as the budget cuts as the police are losing staff left, rights and centre. Equally, what one person considers careless, another may not see any problem with…
So I’ll reserve judgment and see what happens, as I can see this plan not making any further than the ideas stage…
K
Another Bank Holiday, and more travelling
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
Well, it’s the end of anther bank holiday – this time it was a four day run, as it was the Royal Wedding on the Friday, and the traditional May Day bank holiday today.
Me being me, didn’t spend the bank holiday at home. Instead, I travelled down to see my best friend and his family, and made the usual trip to Auto Italia at Brooklands.
Now the trip on Friday started out quite well, and I was making my leisurely way down the A5, and was starting to wonder if the weather was going to improve, as it was misty, murky, and generally overcast – and didn’t improve the further south I went!
For once, I didn’t manage to get lost, and arrived at my friend’s house, in time to see the Royal Wedding. Bugger. I was planning on avoiding it, but there was no way I could politely get out of it… but in a way, it wasn’t as bad as thought it would be, as it gave me a chance to sit and relax…
My friend arrived, and joined in the commentary with not so subtle comments about the camera angles from the BBC coverage, not to mention the dust that was very apparent of the tops of the wooden decorations on the choir area… Ah – the magic of television!
The rest of the day went quietly, with jokes being told, and plans for the following day being sorted – including lunch (we were taking a cool bag to Brooklands – past experience had taught the pair of us to take food & drink with us!)
The evening, after dinner, we sat watching the documentary Mega Factories (it had been on the National Geographic channel.) This time, it was on the Jack Daniels factory. Now, as it happens, I was given a bottle of Gentleman Jack. Now I am the first one to admit that I am not a great Bourbon fan… In fact, I normally avoid the stuff like the plague – but only because I had no inclination to try it…
However, having seen the program on the Jack Daniels factory, I found myself thinking about this bottle, and decided that it best thing to do would be to take the bottle with me, and crack it open with someone I could share a laugh and a drink with…
So, me being me, cracked the bottle open and shared it with my friend, who was a real sweetie, and showed me the difference between Gentleman Jack and the more “common” (for want of a better term – no offence intended!) Old No. 7. I have to admit that Gentleman Jack is a heck of a lot smoother, sweeter and smokier tasting…
However, there was a sting in the tail for me. I had the worst night’s sleep I have had for ages – and I would swear blind that it was the JD that did me in. So, it taught me one thing – don’t drink the stuff before I go to bed!
The following morning, I was squeaking like I was on helium again. No – not a chest infection this time – it was my hay fever that had gotten to my vocal cords. Aside from giving me nightmares, the JD had helped me to forget to take my Q-var inhaler (the brown preventer), so my immune system decided to go into overdrive…
Needless to say this caused much hilarity for my friend, but I took the ribbing good naturedly, as I knew that it wasn’t meant maliciously…
Brooklands itself has really changed since the last time I was down there – and in some ways, I’m sorry to say that it is to the detriment of the Auto Italia show. The cars were quite spectacular as normal (including the Ferrari Enzo) but there were not the normal range of cars… It seemed that the Lamborghini contingent was an awful lot smaller than normal, and that the Ferrari 430 Scuderia was rather too common for my liking, and there were no Pagani Zondas or Bugattis of any flavour – let alone the Veyron.
The test hill was only run the once, but that was well worth it, as some of the cars nearly didn’t make it up (mainly the small Fiats – things like the Cinquecento) but there were a couple of cars that were rather special going up the hill – including the Lamborghini & Ferrari safety cars…
After we’d watched the cars blasting (or not blasting) their merry way up the test hill, we had a walk around some of the cars that were organised into their respective car clubs… The one that did make me smile was a green Fiat campervan with a sticker on the rear screen that read:
Scrap that refuses to die
It really made me smile, and reminded me of the sticker that I’d had on my Toyota Yaris:
Not available from Toys ‘R’ Us
We finally left Brooklands at 16:50 (ish) and once we were on the grassy area where the car was parked, I freely admit to taking my shoes off, so that I could walk barefoot. Not because my feet hurt – far from it – they were too damned hot in my shoes!
We stopped off at the Marquis of Granby pub on the way home (no idea whereabouts – that’s one of the problems with not being local area) and had a drink in the gardens – well away from the smokers.
My friend seemed to be doing his best to cheer me up, as I have to admit that I was feeling somewhat flat…
Can you help me remember how to smile?
Make it somehow all seem worthwhile
How on earth did I get so jaded?
Life's mystery seems so faded
Runaway Train – Soul Asylum
I explained what was happening (or not happening) with the cardio appointment, and I have to admit that I was really quite scared, because I thought that he would go loopy because I’d not mentioned it to him…
Bought a ticket for a runaway train
Like a madman laughin' at the rain
Little out of touch, little insane
Just easier than dealing with the pain
Runaway Train – Soul Asylum
Thankfully, I will admit to severely underestimating him. He was a real angel, and told me that he would be there for me, and all I had to do was pick the ‘phone up to him, and he would move heaven and earth to get to me. I don’t know what I would do without his friendship, and it’s really reassuring to know that there is someone out there who is willing to provide that sort of support to me.
Now that the world isn't ending
It's love that I'm sending to you
Isn't the love of a hero
And that's why I fear it won't do
Hero – Chad Koeger
We headed for home, but the trouble was, I was too damned tired to do the chilli justice, and freely admit to sparking out cold on the sofa (and snoring according to my friend!)
Sunday was a more relaxed day, and we went to the Aces High gallery in Wendover, in the morning. That place is becoming lethal to me, as I bought another print – this one of the Vulcan...
The afternoon was spent dribbling over some beautiful classic cars (even if I did think that a couple of the cars should have been excluded – one of them being a Jaguar XJS – the only thing that could have been called was scrap!)
Now onto today. I knew that I was heading for home, and I would be going to see my god-daughter, Amber. I also knew that Amber was less than impressed with me, because I’d been to Auto Italia, and not taken her (the kid is Tifosi – she almost bleeds scarlet and gold!). I arrived at her home, and she was standing in the front door, with a face like a major thunderstorm, and I knew that I was in real trouble with her…
Or at least I was until I burst into tears. It wasn’t intentional – far from it. it was a combination of stress over her reaction, and me being worried about my forthcoming hospital stay. Ok – I don’t know the date of it just yet, but it was (and still is) preying on my mind.
Amber was such a sweetie – she ran over to me, and flung her arms around me, and kept wiping the tears away with her handkerchief, telling me that I was going to be ok – she would thump anyone who hurt me! I mean, what can you say when your goddaughter says that to you?
I walk this empty street
On the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk alone
My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart’s the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
Till then I walk alone!
Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day
So, as I type this, I am emotionally drained, and far form ready to go into the playpen tomorrow, but I guess that I had better call this quits, so that I can try and get some sleep tonight.
Back when I get the chance.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
Me being me, didn’t spend the bank holiday at home. Instead, I travelled down to see my best friend and his family, and made the usual trip to Auto Italia at Brooklands.
Now the trip on Friday started out quite well, and I was making my leisurely way down the A5, and was starting to wonder if the weather was going to improve, as it was misty, murky, and generally overcast – and didn’t improve the further south I went!
For once, I didn’t manage to get lost, and arrived at my friend’s house, in time to see the Royal Wedding. Bugger. I was planning on avoiding it, but there was no way I could politely get out of it… but in a way, it wasn’t as bad as thought it would be, as it gave me a chance to sit and relax…
My friend arrived, and joined in the commentary with not so subtle comments about the camera angles from the BBC coverage, not to mention the dust that was very apparent of the tops of the wooden decorations on the choir area… Ah – the magic of television!
The rest of the day went quietly, with jokes being told, and plans for the following day being sorted – including lunch (we were taking a cool bag to Brooklands – past experience had taught the pair of us to take food & drink with us!)
The evening, after dinner, we sat watching the documentary Mega Factories (it had been on the National Geographic channel.) This time, it was on the Jack Daniels factory. Now, as it happens, I was given a bottle of Gentleman Jack. Now I am the first one to admit that I am not a great Bourbon fan… In fact, I normally avoid the stuff like the plague – but only because I had no inclination to try it…
However, having seen the program on the Jack Daniels factory, I found myself thinking about this bottle, and decided that it best thing to do would be to take the bottle with me, and crack it open with someone I could share a laugh and a drink with…
So, me being me, cracked the bottle open and shared it with my friend, who was a real sweetie, and showed me the difference between Gentleman Jack and the more “common” (for want of a better term – no offence intended!) Old No. 7. I have to admit that Gentleman Jack is a heck of a lot smoother, sweeter and smokier tasting…
However, there was a sting in the tail for me. I had the worst night’s sleep I have had for ages – and I would swear blind that it was the JD that did me in. So, it taught me one thing – don’t drink the stuff before I go to bed!
The following morning, I was squeaking like I was on helium again. No – not a chest infection this time – it was my hay fever that had gotten to my vocal cords. Aside from giving me nightmares, the JD had helped me to forget to take my Q-var inhaler (the brown preventer), so my immune system decided to go into overdrive…
Needless to say this caused much hilarity for my friend, but I took the ribbing good naturedly, as I knew that it wasn’t meant maliciously…
Brooklands itself has really changed since the last time I was down there – and in some ways, I’m sorry to say that it is to the detriment of the Auto Italia show. The cars were quite spectacular as normal (including the Ferrari Enzo) but there were not the normal range of cars… It seemed that the Lamborghini contingent was an awful lot smaller than normal, and that the Ferrari 430 Scuderia was rather too common for my liking, and there were no Pagani Zondas or Bugattis of any flavour – let alone the Veyron.
The test hill was only run the once, but that was well worth it, as some of the cars nearly didn’t make it up (mainly the small Fiats – things like the Cinquecento) but there were a couple of cars that were rather special going up the hill – including the Lamborghini & Ferrari safety cars…
After we’d watched the cars blasting (or not blasting) their merry way up the test hill, we had a walk around some of the cars that were organised into their respective car clubs… The one that did make me smile was a green Fiat campervan with a sticker on the rear screen that read:
Scrap that refuses to die
It really made me smile, and reminded me of the sticker that I’d had on my Toyota Yaris:
Not available from Toys ‘R’ Us
We finally left Brooklands at 16:50 (ish) and once we were on the grassy area where the car was parked, I freely admit to taking my shoes off, so that I could walk barefoot. Not because my feet hurt – far from it – they were too damned hot in my shoes!
We stopped off at the Marquis of Granby pub on the way home (no idea whereabouts – that’s one of the problems with not being local area) and had a drink in the gardens – well away from the smokers.
My friend seemed to be doing his best to cheer me up, as I have to admit that I was feeling somewhat flat…
Can you help me remember how to smile?
Make it somehow all seem worthwhile
How on earth did I get so jaded?
Life's mystery seems so faded
Runaway Train – Soul Asylum
I explained what was happening (or not happening) with the cardio appointment, and I have to admit that I was really quite scared, because I thought that he would go loopy because I’d not mentioned it to him…
Bought a ticket for a runaway train
Like a madman laughin' at the rain
Little out of touch, little insane
Just easier than dealing with the pain
Runaway Train – Soul Asylum
Thankfully, I will admit to severely underestimating him. He was a real angel, and told me that he would be there for me, and all I had to do was pick the ‘phone up to him, and he would move heaven and earth to get to me. I don’t know what I would do without his friendship, and it’s really reassuring to know that there is someone out there who is willing to provide that sort of support to me.
Now that the world isn't ending
It's love that I'm sending to you
Isn't the love of a hero
And that's why I fear it won't do
Hero – Chad Koeger
We headed for home, but the trouble was, I was too damned tired to do the chilli justice, and freely admit to sparking out cold on the sofa (and snoring according to my friend!)
Sunday was a more relaxed day, and we went to the Aces High gallery in Wendover, in the morning. That place is becoming lethal to me, as I bought another print – this one of the Vulcan...
The afternoon was spent dribbling over some beautiful classic cars (even if I did think that a couple of the cars should have been excluded – one of them being a Jaguar XJS – the only thing that could have been called was scrap!)
Now onto today. I knew that I was heading for home, and I would be going to see my god-daughter, Amber. I also knew that Amber was less than impressed with me, because I’d been to Auto Italia, and not taken her (the kid is Tifosi – she almost bleeds scarlet and gold!). I arrived at her home, and she was standing in the front door, with a face like a major thunderstorm, and I knew that I was in real trouble with her…
Or at least I was until I burst into tears. It wasn’t intentional – far from it. it was a combination of stress over her reaction, and me being worried about my forthcoming hospital stay. Ok – I don’t know the date of it just yet, but it was (and still is) preying on my mind.
Amber was such a sweetie – she ran over to me, and flung her arms around me, and kept wiping the tears away with her handkerchief, telling me that I was going to be ok – she would thump anyone who hurt me! I mean, what can you say when your goddaughter says that to you?
I walk this empty street
On the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk alone
My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart’s the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
Till then I walk alone!
Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day
So, as I type this, I am emotionally drained, and far form ready to go into the playpen tomorrow, but I guess that I had better call this quits, so that I can try and get some sleep tonight.
Back when I get the chance.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
Best Laugh Today
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
Occasionally, I get a real gem of an e-mail, and this is one of them.
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
************************************************************************
It can be hard keeping a straight face as a court reporter..
These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.
ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said , 'Where am I, Cathy?'
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: My name is Susan!
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active?
WITNESS: No , I just lie there.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget..
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo?
WITNESS: We both do.
ATTORNEY: Voodoo?
WITNESS: We do..
ATTORNEY: You do?
WITNESS: Yes , voodoo.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Now doctor , isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: The youngest son , the 20-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: He's 20, much like your IQ.
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Are you shitting me?
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Getting laid
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Take a guess.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard
ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male.
_____________________________________
ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
______________________________________
ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight.
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral.
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 PM
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
WITNESS: Are you qualified to ask that question?
______________________________________
And last:
ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
************************************************************************
It can be hard keeping a straight face as a court reporter..
These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.
ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said , 'Where am I, Cathy?'
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: My name is Susan!
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active?
WITNESS: No , I just lie there.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget..
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo?
WITNESS: We both do.
ATTORNEY: Voodoo?
WITNESS: We do..
ATTORNEY: You do?
WITNESS: Yes , voodoo.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Now doctor , isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: The youngest son , the 20-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: He's 20, much like your IQ.
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Are you shitting me?
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Getting laid
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Take a guess.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard
ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male.
_____________________________________
ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
______________________________________
ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight.
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral.
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 PM
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
WITNESS: Are you qualified to ask that question?
______________________________________
And last:
ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.
Things that make you go “Smeg”
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
The car service for one. My 207 has had its 40,000 service, and it flagged a couple of issues… One of them being that the rear exhaust bracket (it’s corroded) and the other being a temperature senor that was leaking.
Now I know that the car has thrown its toys out of the pram a few weeks ago, when it threw the gearbox error at me… It turns out that this sensor could have been the reason for the snatchy gear changes when the little monster was cold. So, Arbury have sorted the sensor, and all I have to do is go and collect the little monster (without getting nabbed by the sales team, who seem to be desperate for the monster!)
Ah well, time to log off and go and collect the beastie…
Back when I get chance.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
Now I know that the car has thrown its toys out of the pram a few weeks ago, when it threw the gearbox error at me… It turns out that this sensor could have been the reason for the snatchy gear changes when the little monster was cold. So, Arbury have sorted the sensor, and all I have to do is go and collect the little monster (without getting nabbed by the sales team, who seem to be desperate for the monster!)
Ah well, time to log off and go and collect the beastie…
Back when I get chance.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
That’s what’s been happening just recently. If things can go wrong, they have done. I had the car serviced – ok – not an issue there – until I got a call from the garage to say that there was a problem, and a couple of advisories….
Now I hate it when I get that sort of call. It turned out that the problem was a blasted sensor on the cooling system that had decided to start leaking. Ok – not a major leak – but it was one of those little nasties that could develop into a major problem – and it would be just my luck for it to go when I was on the motorway.
The advisory was to say that the offside front tyre had 3.5mm left on the tread (the UK legal limit is 1.6mm) and that the back box on the exhaust pipe is showing signs of corrosion.
So, the sensor was replaced, and the car seems to be running ok. Thankfully, it looks like this sensor problem has sorted out the gearbox issue (but I still keep the little monster in full auto mode until it’s got some heat into the engine!)
The tyres can wait until I can get the tyres that I want, as I know what suits both the car and me, but the back box I’ll ask for a second opinion , as I don’t want to rush off out and spend money needlessly on the car…
Ah well, time to call it quits – I’ve got stuff to sort out before I pick the car up.
Back later…
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
Now I hate it when I get that sort of call. It turned out that the problem was a blasted sensor on the cooling system that had decided to start leaking. Ok – not a major leak – but it was one of those little nasties that could develop into a major problem – and it would be just my luck for it to go when I was on the motorway.
The advisory was to say that the offside front tyre had 3.5mm left on the tread (the UK legal limit is 1.6mm) and that the back box on the exhaust pipe is showing signs of corrosion.
So, the sensor was replaced, and the car seems to be running ok. Thankfully, it looks like this sensor problem has sorted out the gearbox issue (but I still keep the little monster in full auto mode until it’s got some heat into the engine!)
The tyres can wait until I can get the tyres that I want, as I know what suits both the car and me, but the back box I’ll ask for a second opinion , as I don’t want to rush off out and spend money needlessly on the car…
Ah well, time to call it quits – I’ve got stuff to sort out before I pick the car up.
Back later…
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
The rights and wrongs of digital books
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
Most people who know me, know that I am a real bookworm, and have been wrestling with the idea of getting one of the e-readers that is currently on the market. So, I was interested to read this article on the BBC website. I'll post it in full (and provide the link as normal) then put my thoughts at the end.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
********************************************
Reading on screen has to get more like reading a book, says Bill Thompson
The recent rapid growth of the market for electronic editions of contemporary fiction, with some titles selling more in digital marketplaces than they do in printed form, seems unlikely to tail off. The latter part of 2010 may mark the point from which future historians date the transition to screen-based reading for literary fiction as well as reference works.
Amazon recently announced that during September it sold more Kindle books than print books for the top ten, hundred and even thousand bestselling books on its US website, and other retailers will no doubt see the same as Christmas approaches.
Page turner
Everyone involved in the book trade, as we will probably continue to call it for some years, is trying to decide how to respond to this change and anticipate the imminent arrival of the sort of creative destruction that has swept through the music industry, but few seem to have many good ideas.
Independent publishers like Faber & Faber and Canongate, both of whom I spend time talking to about the impact of digital publishing (though not for money), are trying hard to remain relevant, and initiatives like the new electronic publishing service, Faber Factory, are a sign that they understand the changing market.
However, even they are not yet willing to accept that the price of electronic texts is too high, and that readers will not pay the same for a bunch of bits as they will for a bound book, since the market knows that it costs less to send electrons over a network than it does to buy paper, make books out of it and ship the physical objects around the world.
They also seem unprepared for the fundamental shift in the whole basis of their business that digital distribution brings about.
Something important happens when the text of a book is peeled away from the physical book, exposing the important distinction between the law as it applies to property and copyright law, and this has significant implications for how publishers make money - or even whether they will do so at all.
When you buy a book you take ownership of the wood pulp, ink and glue that makes up the object, and anyone taking it away from you without permission is stealing. But you do not own, and never have owned, the copyright.
If the author is still alive or died fewer than 70 years ago then that list of words and punctuation, in that precise order, may be protected in various ways, limiting your ability to reproduce some or all of the list.
When you buy an digital copy to read on your e-book reader, phone or laptop all you get is the copyrighted bit, and what you pay for is a licence to have a copy or copies of the text.
You don't "own" an object - all you have is an agreement, and the things you can do with it are limited both by copyright law and by the terms of the legal licence agreement you enter into when you make your purchase.
Kindle and iPad users are acutely aware of this, because the digital rights management system used to limit copying of purchased e-books makes it impossible to share one with a friend in the way that we are all accustomed to do with physical books, while the licence makes it impossible to sell our second-hand e-books to others and defray the cost of new purchases.
Lending list
Amazon recently announced that it will let Kindle owners "lend" books, but only for two weeks and only once per title. It clearly expects to get a lot of positive publicity for following the approach of other e-book readers like the Barnes and Noble "Nook", but all they have done is to highlight exactly what we are giving up as we move from buying books to licensing content for our digital devices.
Perhaps the worst thing about the new feature is that Amazon will give publishers a veto over sharing their titles. For a company with a reputation for pushing publishers into distribution deals that they find very difficult to work with, Amazon seems very wary of doing anything that might upset the rights holders.
When the new Kindle shipped with a feature that let it read texts aloud in a synthesised voice it only took a few angry huffs and puffs from the US Author's Guild before the facility was made optional, to be turned off at the behest of the publisher.
And now Amazon is careful to announce the publisher-friendly aspects of its new feature, highlighting the fact that when you pay your money for a Kindle edition you aren't buying a book, and you certainly aren't buying an e-book that is in any way equivalent to a printed codex.
I'd be happy with a system that let me transfer my purchases rather than sharing them - I don't expect my one download of a copy of the new Jonathan Frantzen to provide for the reading needs of my entire extended family at the same time, but lending my Kindle - or in this case my iPad - means lending every book (and every other app), which is not the same as just lending one book.
There is one bright spot in all this, though. Amazon's business model offers us the clearest possible demonstration that we should not allow the law to treat the products of creative expression in the same way as we do physical property.
The idea of "intellectual property" deliberately conflates the two and allows politicians to pretend that laws about physical property should extend to digital downloads. We need to challenge this unjustifiable elision if we are to think seriously about copyright and business models in the age of electronics.
Bill Thompson is an independent journalist and regular commentator on the BBC World Service programme Digital Planet. He is currently working with the BBC on its archive project.
*******************************************************************************
This article has hit the main argument against e-books (for me anyway) on the head. Plus, there is the practical side - you can drop your paperback into the swimming pool / bath, curse a little bit, and then wait for it to dry out. However, if you drop your e-reader into the water... Well you can kiss good bye to a pile of money.
Add into that, you cannot sit and read during take off and landing when flying (and you have to lug the charger and all the associated bits) then you get to the stage where for someone like me it's just not worth it at the moment.
So I guess that I'll just have to remain loyal to the paperback - until these issues are resolved.
Back when I get the chance...
K.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
********************************************
Reading on screen has to get more like reading a book, says Bill Thompson
The recent rapid growth of the market for electronic editions of contemporary fiction, with some titles selling more in digital marketplaces than they do in printed form, seems unlikely to tail off. The latter part of 2010 may mark the point from which future historians date the transition to screen-based reading for literary fiction as well as reference works.
 |
| Amazon's Kindle E-reader |
Page turner
Everyone involved in the book trade, as we will probably continue to call it for some years, is trying to decide how to respond to this change and anticipate the imminent arrival of the sort of creative destruction that has swept through the music industry, but few seem to have many good ideas.
Independent publishers like Faber & Faber and Canongate, both of whom I spend time talking to about the impact of digital publishing (though not for money), are trying hard to remain relevant, and initiatives like the new electronic publishing service, Faber Factory, are a sign that they understand the changing market.
However, even they are not yet willing to accept that the price of electronic texts is too high, and that readers will not pay the same for a bunch of bits as they will for a bound book, since the market knows that it costs less to send electrons over a network than it does to buy paper, make books out of it and ship the physical objects around the world.
We should not allow the law to treat the products of creative expression in the same way as we do physical property
Bill Thompson
They also seem unprepared for the fundamental shift in the whole basis of their business that digital distribution brings about.
Something important happens when the text of a book is peeled away from the physical book, exposing the important distinction between the law as it applies to property and copyright law, and this has significant implications for how publishers make money - or even whether they will do so at all.
When you buy a book you take ownership of the wood pulp, ink and glue that makes up the object, and anyone taking it away from you without permission is stealing. But you do not own, and never have owned, the copyright.
If the author is still alive or died fewer than 70 years ago then that list of words and punctuation, in that precise order, may be protected in various ways, limiting your ability to reproduce some or all of the list.
When you buy an digital copy to read on your e-book reader, phone or laptop all you get is the copyrighted bit, and what you pay for is a licence to have a copy or copies of the text.
You don't "own" an object - all you have is an agreement, and the things you can do with it are limited both by copyright law and by the terms of the legal licence agreement you enter into when you make your purchase.
Kindle and iPad users are acutely aware of this, because the digital rights management system used to limit copying of purchased e-books makes it impossible to share one with a friend in the way that we are all accustomed to do with physical books, while the licence makes it impossible to sell our second-hand e-books to others and defray the cost of new purchases.
Lending list
 |
| Limits on lending rights could hit libraries |
Perhaps the worst thing about the new feature is that Amazon will give publishers a veto over sharing their titles. For a company with a reputation for pushing publishers into distribution deals that they find very difficult to work with, Amazon seems very wary of doing anything that might upset the rights holders.
When the new Kindle shipped with a feature that let it read texts aloud in a synthesised voice it only took a few angry huffs and puffs from the US Author's Guild before the facility was made optional, to be turned off at the behest of the publisher.
And now Amazon is careful to announce the publisher-friendly aspects of its new feature, highlighting the fact that when you pay your money for a Kindle edition you aren't buying a book, and you certainly aren't buying an e-book that is in any way equivalent to a printed codex.
I'd be happy with a system that let me transfer my purchases rather than sharing them - I don't expect my one download of a copy of the new Jonathan Frantzen to provide for the reading needs of my entire extended family at the same time, but lending my Kindle - or in this case my iPad - means lending every book (and every other app), which is not the same as just lending one book.
There is one bright spot in all this, though. Amazon's business model offers us the clearest possible demonstration that we should not allow the law to treat the products of creative expression in the same way as we do physical property.
The idea of "intellectual property" deliberately conflates the two and allows politicians to pretend that laws about physical property should extend to digital downloads. We need to challenge this unjustifiable elision if we are to think seriously about copyright and business models in the age of electronics.
Bill Thompson is an independent journalist and regular commentator on the BBC World Service programme Digital Planet. He is currently working with the BBC on its archive project.
*******************************************************************************
This article has hit the main argument against e-books (for me anyway) on the head. Plus, there is the practical side - you can drop your paperback into the swimming pool / bath, curse a little bit, and then wait for it to dry out. However, if you drop your e-reader into the water... Well you can kiss good bye to a pile of money.
Add into that, you cannot sit and read during take off and landing when flying (and you have to lug the charger and all the associated bits) then you get to the stage where for someone like me it's just not worth it at the moment.
So I guess that I'll just have to remain loyal to the paperback - until these issues are resolved.
Back when I get the chance...
K.
Hitman on the Golf Course
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
Occasionally, you get a real howler of a joke, and this is one of them. I make no apologies for posting it – it’s made me giggle on a day when not much else has been able to do so.
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
************************************************************************
Two old friends were just about to tee off at the first hole of their local golf course when a guy carrying a golf bag called out to them, 'Do you mind if I join you, my partner didn't turn up.'
'Sure,' they said, 'You're welcome.' So they started playing and enjoyed the game and the company of the newcomer.
Part way around the course, one of the friends asked the newcomer, 'What do you do for a living?'
'I'm a hit man,' was the reply.
'You're joking!' was the response.
'No, I'm not,' he said, reaching into his golf bag, and pulling out a beautiful Martini sniper's rifle with a large telescopic sight... 'Here are my tools.'
'That's a beautiful telescopic sight,' said the other friend, 'Can I take a look? I think I might be able to see my house from here.' So he picked up the rifle and looked through the sight in the direction of his house.
'Yeah, I can see my house all right. This sight is fantastic. I can see right in the window.' 'Wow, I can see my wife in the bedroom... Ha Ha, I can see she's naked. WHOA! Wait a minute, that's my neighbour in there with her, he's naked too!!!
He turned to the hit man, 'How much do you charge for a hit?'
'I'll do a flat rate for you, one thousand dollars every time I pull the trigger.'
'Can you do two for me right now?'
'Sure, what do you want?'
'First, shoot my wife; she's always been mouthy, so shoot her in the mouth.'
'Then the neighbour, he's a friend of mine, so just shoot his dick off to teach him a lesson.'
The hit man took the rifle and took aim, standing perfectly still for a few minutes.
'Are you going to do it or not?' said the golfer impatiently.
'Just be patient,' said the hit man calmly, 'I think I can save you a grand here.'
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
************************************************************************
Two old friends were just about to tee off at the first hole of their local golf course when a guy carrying a golf bag called out to them, 'Do you mind if I join you, my partner didn't turn up.'
'Sure,' they said, 'You're welcome.' So they started playing and enjoyed the game and the company of the newcomer.
Part way around the course, one of the friends asked the newcomer, 'What do you do for a living?'
'I'm a hit man,' was the reply.
'You're joking!' was the response.
'No, I'm not,' he said, reaching into his golf bag, and pulling out a beautiful Martini sniper's rifle with a large telescopic sight... 'Here are my tools.'
'That's a beautiful telescopic sight,' said the other friend, 'Can I take a look? I think I might be able to see my house from here.' So he picked up the rifle and looked through the sight in the direction of his house.
'Yeah, I can see my house all right. This sight is fantastic. I can see right in the window.' 'Wow, I can see my wife in the bedroom... Ha Ha, I can see she's naked. WHOA! Wait a minute, that's my neighbour in there with her, he's naked too!!!
He turned to the hit man, 'How much do you charge for a hit?'
'I'll do a flat rate for you, one thousand dollars every time I pull the trigger.'
'Can you do two for me right now?'
'Sure, what do you want?'
'First, shoot my wife; she's always been mouthy, so shoot her in the mouth.'
'Then the neighbour, he's a friend of mine, so just shoot his dick off to teach him a lesson.'
The hit man took the rifle and took aim, standing perfectly still for a few minutes.
'Are you going to do it or not?' said the golfer impatiently.
'Just be patient,' said the hit man calmly, 'I think I can save you a grand here.'
Trying to find a horse…
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
As people may or may not know, I’ve been searching for a horse to replace my beloved Heart of Flame, and have struck out every time I thought I’d found “the one”.
Again, it looks like fate has turned away from me again, as I thought I’d found the perfect horse. He’s a Lusitano, and is as gentle as a lamb. However, when I went for a ride, it felt like he was pulling to one side. The best way to describe this, is to imagine a car with tracking problems – it pulls to one side. Well, that was how this horse felt.
So, as it stands at the moment, I am waiting for an independent report on the horse, as the last thing that I need to do is buy him, and discover that I have more vets bills than my damned insurance will cover.
Needless to say, I am on the verge of giving up, as this search has caused nothing but heartache for me, but part of me is whispering “keep the faith – you’ll find one” – especially as I have really missed being able to go for an early morning ride.
Ah well, time to call this quits – I need to get some sleep.
Back when I get the chance…
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
Again, it looks like fate has turned away from me again, as I thought I’d found the perfect horse. He’s a Lusitano, and is as gentle as a lamb. However, when I went for a ride, it felt like he was pulling to one side. The best way to describe this, is to imagine a car with tracking problems – it pulls to one side. Well, that was how this horse felt.
So, as it stands at the moment, I am waiting for an independent report on the horse, as the last thing that I need to do is buy him, and discover that I have more vets bills than my damned insurance will cover.
Needless to say, I am on the verge of giving up, as this search has caused nothing but heartache for me, but part of me is whispering “keep the faith – you’ll find one” – especially as I have really missed being able to go for an early morning ride.
Ah well, time to call this quits – I need to get some sleep.
Back when I get the chance…
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
The formation with feeling
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
I make no apologies for posting this - as per normal it was sent to me by my American friends.
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
*********************************************************************
Look at this carefully........... It is brilliant, and another true example of British Humor!!
The British government scrapped the Harrier fleet and on their farewell formation flypast over the Houses of Parliament they gave the government a message............
Lean back a bit from your computer monitor and squint.
Seriously......................... push your chair back a couple of feet.
My hat off to the lad that was leading this bloody gaggle..................
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
*********************************************************************
Look at this carefully........... It is brilliant, and another true example of British Humor!!
The British government scrapped the Harrier fleet and on their farewell formation flypast over the Houses of Parliament they gave the government a message............
Lean back a bit from your computer monitor and squint.
Seriously......................... push your chair back a couple of feet.
My hat off to the lad that was leading this bloody gaggle..................
Spider web fire risk prompts Mazda6 recall
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
Some things you just can’t make up – and this is one of them.
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
***************************************************************************
Japanese carmaker Mazda has announced it is recalling 65,000 cars in North and Central America because of concerns over spiders in the fuel system.
A Mazda spokesman said dealers had found 20 cases where webs of yellow sac spiders were found in a vent line.
The company said this could increase pressure in the fuel tank, leading to possible cracks and a risk of fire.
Dealers will check the cars for cracks, clean out any webs and install a spring in the line to keep out the spiders.
About 50,000 Mazda6 vehicles from the 2009-10 model years are being recalled in the United States, with another 15,000 in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Mazda spokesman Jeremy Barnes said it was not clear why the yellow sac spider liked to build nests in the Mazda6.
"Perhaps yellow sac spiders like to go zoom-zoom?" he joked, referring to Mazda's advertising slogan for the car.
The company said it did not know of any accidents or fires caused by the spider webs.
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
***************************************************************************
 |
A Mazda spokesman said dealers had found 20 cases where webs of yellow sac spiders were found in a vent line.
The company said this could increase pressure in the fuel tank, leading to possible cracks and a risk of fire.
Dealers will check the cars for cracks, clean out any webs and install a spring in the line to keep out the spiders.
About 50,000 Mazda6 vehicles from the 2009-10 model years are being recalled in the United States, with another 15,000 in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Mazda spokesman Jeremy Barnes said it was not clear why the yellow sac spider liked to build nests in the Mazda6.
"Perhaps yellow sac spiders like to go zoom-zoom?" he joked, referring to Mazda's advertising slogan for the car.
The company said it did not know of any accidents or fires caused by the spider webs.
Vile hackers
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
Not a happy person at the moment. A few months ago, a website that I use had been hacked, and card details were taken. Ok – not an issue, as the company concerned notified everyone, and I thought I was safe. Just how wrong can you damned well be.
I got a call from the bank, and as I was on a call at the time, I hit “reject” on my phone, meaning that it would go through to my voicemail. It did, and I got the message that everyone dreads…
“This is a message for Karen – you’ll hear an automated message after a few seconds of music. {Music} Please call ABC bank on {tel. number} reference code xxx”
Smeg. So I tore out of the office like the back of my trousers were on fire to call the bank. And yep. My card had been hit. The vermin had tried to use it to credit an Xbox live account, and as luck would have it, I’d already told the bank that I don’t have an Xbox, and if they saw anything like that, then it was certainly suspect.
So the bank has now cancelled my card, and I now have to wait until this time next week for a replacement to be sent. Needless to say, I am not a happy person, but in all honesty I am glad that the bank picked the issue up.
Ah well, guess I should call this quits – I’ve got a home to go to.
Back when I get the chance…
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
I got a call from the bank, and as I was on a call at the time, I hit “reject” on my phone, meaning that it would go through to my voicemail. It did, and I got the message that everyone dreads…
“This is a message for Karen – you’ll hear an automated message after a few seconds of music. {Music} Please call ABC bank on {tel. number} reference code xxx”
Smeg. So I tore out of the office like the back of my trousers were on fire to call the bank. And yep. My card had been hit. The vermin had tried to use it to credit an Xbox live account, and as luck would have it, I’d already told the bank that I don’t have an Xbox, and if they saw anything like that, then it was certainly suspect.
So the bank has now cancelled my card, and I now have to wait until this time next week for a replacement to be sent. Needless to say, I am not a happy person, but in all honesty I am glad that the bank picked the issue up.
Ah well, guess I should call this quits – I’ve got a home to go to.
Back when I get the chance…
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
Lol Cats Strike Again!
Posted by
Karen
It's a slow day, so web surfing has been one of the few things that has kept me sane...
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
**************************************************************************
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
**************************************************************************
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
More from Lol Cats...
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
It's the company propaganda meeting today (I mean conference) and as I went last year, I've refused to go this year. So, that's meant that I have time on my hands to go web surfing, and it's amazing what you can find. These pictures (and captions) all come from the Lol Cats' website.
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
*******************************************************************
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
![funny pictures-... and I'm not coming down again until that "bath" thing is banished from my house.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sWaSNHgWYNOiQp_ALn4pNY7bRWbnV71h5gee4BpdQJabqFClCDrnoO8lMc7S_jPu7oKbITNhY-cdDR0SiOSxo5mcXlb09YGhi2MpTbI7GjwNSvuiX_sX5I8sxQx0bp2yYxCZMdduOGD13o62jMIAZWTlJAkIqjb7RkxdDvuarmIes=s0-d "funny pictures ... and I'm not coming down again until that "bath" thing is banished from my house.")
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
Enjoy.
Karen
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most
*******************************************************************
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
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