Today is Remembrance Sunday and I have been sent a really nice poem which puts a nice perspective on the day…….

THE  FINAL INSPECTION

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

‘Step forward now, you  soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?’

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
‘No, Lord, I guess I ain’t.
Because those of us who carry  guns,
Can’t always be a saint.

I’ve had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn’t mine to keep…
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.

I know I don’t deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.

There was a silence all  around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

‘Step forward  now, you soldier,
You’ve borne your burdens  well..
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s  streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell.’

Author Unknown~

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Benidorm has been packed out over the past few days and we have fiestas in both Benidorm and Alfaz del Pi. To some the fiestas can be inconvenient to say the least.For example, physiotherapy is put on hold for those in the middle of remedial attention. I really don´t understand that a system of cover for emergencies could not be put in place. However, it could well be that Spain has got it right and I´ve been brainwashed to believe work is important!

We’ve had another fine day and there’s been plenty of sunshine. Tonight, however, it’s blowing a gale so we need to check the week ahead….

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday
20° C | 10° C	19° C | 11° C	18° C | 9° C	24° C | 11° C
Partly Cloudy	Partly Cloudy	Scattered Clouds	Scattered Clouds

Here´s a rather nice arrival notice………

A capuchin monkey (Cebus apella) was born in the Terra Natura natural park in Benidorm, under the conservation effort plan to protect this endangered species. This is the fourth birth in the park since the captive breeding program for this species was launched, threatened by the Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. The park is situated up in the mountains overlooking Benidorm and within a ten minute drive from the centre of town.

“Deforestation of the Amazon forests has declined, which is why this birth is important for the conservation of the species,” said park sources, who said that the birth took place “without complications”. The baby born at Terra Natura was “only 250 grams,” according to the sources.

“Within hours of life, the baby began to be breastfed, which will continue for almost a year,” and began to cling to the back of his mother, where it remains until it completes its first phase of development and begins to explore the environment on his own. Capuchin monkeys are “very sociable, and feed mainly on fruit, vegetables, seeds and insects” extended family members became curious to get to know the baby. This species can live to 45 years. While females reach sexual maturity at four years, males do so at seven years, just the age when they are expelled from the clan, according to Terra Natura.

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I love to see the rebel doctor writing what I have thought for years. Here´s his latest missive…….

New prostate surgery isn’t better

Hospitals and surgeons love new procedures with high-tech names — not because they’re better, but because they can charge bigger bucks for them.

The latest technique for prostate cancer is called laparoscopic surgery, but it’s often marketed as robot-assisted “keyhole” surgery.

All I can say is keep your robot out of my keyhole, because the latest research finds that this new and not-so-improved technique has a higher risk of side effects than traditional prostate surgeries.

And remember, in most cases you don’t need surgery at all — whether it’s performed by a man or machine, through a keyhole or by bashing open the whole door. Prostate cancer is an over-diagnosed disease that won’t kill most of the people who get it, but treating it comes with the risk of conditions like incontinence and impotence.

A new study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that patients who undergo the robo-surgery are more than twice as likely to experience those side effects.

It also found that patients who undergo the surgery are out of the hospital a day earlier and have a lower risk of needing a blood transfusion — but I’d rather have my sex life and control of my bladder, thank you very much.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anyone practicing new techniques on me or my prostate. Even if you are in the small minority of patients who absolutely need surgery for prostate cancer, insist on only the most tried-and-true technique and the most experienced surgeon… not a brand-new procedure where the doc may need to stop and check the instruction manual halfway through.

But before you even consider that, insist on knowing the absolute truth about your condition — and whether or not you really need to face the risk of surgery in the first place.

You probably don’t.

Speaking of unproven high-tech treatments — you’ll be stunned to find out just how little they know about laser-eye surgery.

Keep reading… what you learn might just save your eyes!

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The owners of Spanish soccer teams backtracked Friday on their threat to halt the country’s most prominent league, deciding instead to open negotiations with the government over a fiscal reform plan that will almost double the tax burden on foreign players.

The reform included in the government’s budget proposal would raise income tax for foreigners earning more than €600,000, or $890,000, a year to 43 percent from 24 percent. That would mirror similar levies in the rest of Europe, including Britain, France, Germany and Italy, although the average is 34 percent, according to the club owners’ association.

The tax break was introduced in 2004 to lure top-notch foreign expertise, but it has mostly benefited football clubs, to the point it was dubbed the “Beckham law” after David Beckham, the British soccer star who was among the first to profit from the measure when he signed for Real Madrid.

Now the Spanish government, faced with a soaring deficit in 2010 it forecasted at 8.1 percent, needs all the cash it can get. Local media have dubbed the planned tax increase the “Ronaldo law” after Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese player who signed for Real Madrid for a salary of around €13 million annually.

Spanish players, or foreign players who have resided here for more than five years, already pay the 43 percent tax, including the Argentine Lionel Messi, arguably the world’s best soccer player who earns around €10 million.

The planned tax reform though is not retroactive and will only come into effect January 1. It was a the ruling Socialist Party’s concession to several minority left-leaning parties in order to secure their support for the larger budget proposal which has been rejected by the largest opposition groups in Spain. Parliament has until the end of the year to approve the budget law.

Spain’s Professional Football League, known as La Liga, which groups the 42 teams of the first and second divisions, initially threatened to halt both competitions after the government announced the reform Tuesday. Since, most Spaniards have sided with the government though, increasingly isolating team owners.

The outcry grew quickly across the board. The government initially recriminated club owners for lack of solidarity with the rest of Spaniards who are suffering from the worst recession in decades and from an unemployment rate that is expected to reach 19 percent next year.

Criticism against La Liga mounted as journalists, players and most of the public joined the chorus.

Club owners have signaled they intend to barter for other benefits, especially those involving television rights, to compensate for lost revenue. The owners’ association called for another meeting Nov. 19 to assess the outcome of talks with the government and didn’t rule out halting La Liga.

In a press conference following the extraordinary assembly, the president of La Liga, José Luis Astiazarán, defended his organization. “I respect all those opinions, but as an association we don’t agree.”

“We had to rebel because they suddenly want to break the system that has allowed Spanish teams to become so successful,” Mr. Astiazarán said later on the sidelines of the meeting. He echoed the complaints coming from the best known teams in Spain, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, that say they won’t be able to attract the best players.

The claim is not completely unfounded, said Francesc Pujol, deputy dean of the economy department in Universidad de Navarra and an expert in sports economy. “From next year on, Spain will have to compete on equal grounds with other European teams. They lose their fiscal advantage, their unfair advantage.”

The government is unlikely to raise a lot more taxes from its fiscal reform. “This is clearly a political decision, with limited direct fiscal impact in terms of players’ salaries,” Mr. Pujol said. “But it sends the right message to contributors that everybody tightens their belt in this crisis, which will have the indirect impact of lowering tax evasions.”

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Word of the Day

La fuerza fwer’-sah  (noun)

strength; loudness; intensity; force

EXAMPLES

Tuve que llevarle mi hijo al colegio por fuerza. – I had to drag my son to school by force.

Tiene mucha fuerza en los brazos. – He has very strong arms.

IDIOMS

a la fuerza – out of necessity

por la fuerza – by force

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Break In

A man went to the police station wishing to speak with the burglar who had broken into his house the night before.

“You’ll get your chance in court,” said the desk sergeant.

“No, no, no!” said the man. “I want to know how he got into the house without waking my wife. I’ve been trying to do that for years!”

Rough Country Road

I was driving my father and grandfather down a rough country road. My inexperience in handling Grandpa’s four-wheel-drive
vehicle made for a particularly bouncy ride. Embarrassed, I offered a lame excuse, “The sun shadows through the trees
make it hard for me to see all the potholes.”

“Don’t worry, Matt,” Grandpa said. “You’re gettin’ most of ‘em.”

Chemist Memory

A chemist walks into a pharmacy and asks the pharmacist, “Do you have any acetylsalicylic acid?”

“You mean aspirin?” asked the pharmacist.

“That’s it; I can never remember that word.”

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Army Training

Our army physical-training program requires us to run two miles every other day in platoon formation. Being somewhat older than the other soldiers, I have trouble running faster than a ten-minute mile. During a recent run, I was finding it difficult to complete the two miles without stopping, so I raised my hands high above my head to expand my diaphragm and gain my second wind. Suddenly I heard a voice from behind me say, “Forget it, sergeant, we don’t take prisoners.”

Today´s Podcast

8th November and Vince is joined by Bjorn Heidenstrom cycling to South Africa, Rue Slater, Iris the Silver
Surfer and Rob Daniells on the day when in 1952, The first ever UK pop chart was published by the New Musical Express. 1963, Dusty
Springfield set out on her first UK solo tour1965, The Beatles worked on a new George Harrison song ‘Think For Yourself’ at Abbey Road
for their forthcoming Rubber Soul album. and in 1969, ‘Something’ the first Beatles A-side composed by George Harrison entered the UK
singles chart. In 1975, Elton John was named Godfather to John and Yoko Lennon’s son Sean.  In 2000 Spice Girl Mel C made a foul-mouthed
attack on Westlife, calling them ‘a useless bunch of  talentless tossers’ and ‘ in 2007, four men were arrested on suspicion of perverting
the course of justice after Police raided a house in Camden, London belonging to singer Amy Winehouse.

It´s chillier but still nice on the Costa Blanca. Let´s see if it will last………

Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday
23° C | 12° C	20° C | 10° C	19° C | 11° C	18° C | 9° C	24° C | 11° C
Scattered Clouds	Partly Cloudy	Partly Cloudy	Scattered Clouds	Scattered Clouds

The month of October, was 2,4 degrees Celsius higher than the average temperature, making it the fourth warmest since 1971, after 1995, 1997 and 2006. In general, the period was “very warm” in most of Spain, and was “extremely warm” in large areas of central and southern Peninsula and in eastern and north western Galicia, Castile and Leon, as reported the State Meteorological Agency.

Temperatures were positive in all regions, reaching increases higher than 3 degrees Celsius in central and northern Andalusia, south and east of Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y Leon South, while in the rest of Spain average temperatures were maintained between 2 or 3 degrees Celsius above normal.

Only the Mediterranean regions and in the eastern half of the communities of the Cantabrian side were cooler, where temperatures were 2 degrees Celsius below normal. On the other hand, in the Balearics October was “slightly warmer than normal” at temperatures below 1 degree Celsius increase, while in the Canaries the month was “very warm to extremely warm.”

Absolute record in Pamplona

Equally striking were the high values of the last days of the month, which topped 30 degrees Celsius in parts of Andalusia, Murcia, southeast of Castilla-La Mancha, Valencia and inside the easternmost islands of the Canaries. Stresses also the case in Pamplona, where the 5th of October, reached all-time record for October at 31,7 degrees Celsius.

By contrast, the lower minimum, was between 16 and 19 October and extensive frosts in inland areas of the northern half of Spain.

As for the rain, october as a whole was “somewhat drier than normal” with an average rainfall of 53 liters per square meter, ie 77 per cent of the average value of October on the reference period 1971-2000 which is 69 liters per square meter.

By contrast, October was “particularly deficient, in rain in the Levant and in Asturias, where it was “very dry”. Furthermore, in the Balearic and Canary Islands, the month was “generally dry” and even “very dry” in Tenerife.

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Next on the list is my friend the rebel doctor and he has some disturbing news from the hands of the doctors in Australia…….

It’s no secret that hospitals are the most dangerous places on the planet. But it’s not because of the sick patients — it’s because of the doctors who are treating them.

According to a new study out of Australia, 60 percent of doctors don’t wash their hands after attending to a patient. I was so disgusted I wanted to scrub my own hands while reading about these slobs in the Medical Journal of Australia.

And here’s the worst part of all — that number’s an improvement after a recent hygiene campaign reminding these “medical professionals” of the importance of soaping up. Before that, an unbelievable 70 percent of them weren’t washing between patients.

Now, before you dismiss that as a filthy habit from a far-away country, you should know that our docs aren’t much better. You’d think someone who spent the better part of a decade in medical school would have learned the importance of washing his hands — but one study found that only half of our own physicians take the time to wash their hands between patients.

The problem is even worse in hospitals, where doctors go from room to room visiting some of the sickest of the sick. This isn’t just gross — it’s potentially deadly. No wonder germs are spreading in hospitals at an alarming rate.

By some estimates, nearly 2 million Americans get infections in hospitals every year — and nearly 100,000 die from them. Makes you wonder how many doctors have a hand in spreading — rather than stopping — these germs.

Whether you’re in a hospital or at the doctor’s office, insist on better.

Just about every exam room has a sink in it (and if yours doesn’t, find a doctor with a real clinic). When your doc walks in, he should make a beeline for the sink before he even shakes your hand.

If he doesn’t, don’t be afraid to point it out to him — and if you’re too embarrassed to do so, take a second to think about whom he might have been touching — and where he may have been poking — in the room next door.

So ask him to wash his hands, and don’t feel bad about it.

Unfortunately, germs aren’t the only danger in hospitals. Just like germs, radiation is invisible to the naked eye — yet patients are being exposed to dangerous levels.

Read on for the latest outrage…

Taken your multivitamin today? Don’t do it!

One M.D. is shining a light on the dirty underbelly of America’s multivitamins — and the results are outright frightening. Find out if your trusted multi is cheating your health and your wallet and discover one formula that stands above the rest.

Discover the truth behind your current multi and a real solution you can trust and feel.

Keep reading…

http://clicks.douglassreport.com//t/AQ/lsg/nHY/6MY/AQ/Atd3ng/QpjF

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El truco troo’-koh  (noun)

trick, knack

EXAMPLES

¿Tienes algún truco para quitar las manchas de mostaza? – Do you know any trick to get out mustard stains?

Mi tío sabe muchos trucos de magia. – My uncle knows a lot of magic tricks

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Monastery of Guadalupe
Another lesser known attraction, also in Extremadura, is the
Monastery of Guadalupe which has long attracted pilgrims since an
image of the Virgin was seen by a shepherd. Columbus named
the Caribbean island after this place. It’s in quite a remote
location in the beautiful Sierra de Guadalupe mountains. Take a few
hours to look around between Toledo and the cities of Extremadura.

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I´m passing on a very important warning next from hit-maker Mike Berry.

Hi All,
>>
>> I checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing up for this
>> virus!
>> I checked Snopes, and it is for real. Get this E-mail message sent
>> around to your contacts ASAP.
>>
>> PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS!
>>
>> You should be alert during the next few days. Do not open any
>> message with an attachment entitled ‘POSTCARD FROM
>> HALLMARK,’regardless of who sent it to you… It is a virus which
>> opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which ‘burns’ the whole hard disc C of your
>> computer.
>>
>> This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address
>> in his/her contact list. This is the reason why you need to send
>> this e-mail to all your contacts. It is better to receive this
>> message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it.
>>
>> If you receive a mail called’ POSTCARD,’ even though sent to you by
>> a friend, do not open it! Shut down your computer immediately. This
>> is the worst virus announced by CNN.
>>
>> It has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus
>> ever. This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no
>> repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the
>> Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept.
>>
>> COPY THIS E-MAIL, AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS.
>> REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US

´Live¨ Show 9-midday on Cool FM tomorrow

Once again we have had a fine day although it has certainly been far fresher. I needed to put on my jacket for the first time this Autumn! Will it last?

Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday
21° C | 12° C	23° C | 12° C	20° C | 10° C	19° C | 11° C	18° C | 9° C

It looks good for the immediate future. Now here´s news of a very special cycling event. Bjorn Heidenstrom (more correctly in his native Norwegian Bjørn Heidenstrøm) will be on my show on Sunday.He is Cycling from Norway to South Africa for peace and will be  in Alicante City on the 9th of November at the El Flamenco Restaurant in c/. San Francisco 14 for lunch with the Norwegian Consul.

Bjørn is looking to unite all those who want to see the world’s largest football-shirt wave in the wind during the World Cup, South Africa, 2010. A group for those who believe that football is more than a 4-4-2. Bjørn is cycling from Oslo to South Africa to collect signed football jerseys from all teams of all levels. All these shirts will be be sewn together to form the world’s largest signed football-shirt – a symbol that all football stands together and does not forget the young refugees. He says, “We are creating the world’s largest football shirt – a shirt and a symbol that is sewn together by the signed club-shirts. The Shirt symbolises the “football family standing together and not forgetting the small ones” It’s top clubs, lesser clubs and even fans who sign their own shirts and become a part of the the big shirt – all are welcome. The project was tested in the summer 2008 and we have 187 signatures from professional, top, and smaller clubs.

Celebrities from the music and movie world have also contributed as fans signed their favourite club shirts The project is being run in co-operation with *The Refugee Council* and their campaign: “Forget me not”

The trip started from Oslo, Norway on 20 June and in the course of 10 months  Bjorn will have visited over 50 countries. He cycles alone through the whole of Europe, as well as cycling and hitchhiking through Africa. The journey starts from the Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo and ends on Robben Island, Cape Town, South Africa. Excitingly, *Nettavisen* (300,000 unique users daily) promotes the journey on their front page every day. Bjørn is sending content from all the countries, places and people he visits. This content ranges from the
history, culture, tradition to the people and events, from the serious to the quirky, from the exciting to the exasperating! He will be ´live´on my show from Villajoyosa Rugby Club at 11.15 am.

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I was recently asked why I am usually happy. Here is a good reason or two…..

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:

Men Are Just Happier People–
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack.
You can never be pregnant.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don’t have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
People never stare at your chest when you’re talking to them.
New shoes don’t cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks and engines. A ten-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

Your underwear is £5.99 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original colour.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes — one colour for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can ‘do’ your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

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Word of the Day

discutir dees-koo-teer’  (Intransitive verb)

to argue, to quarell; to discuss

EXAMPLES

Siempre discute la política con su madre. – He always argues about politics with his mother.

Tuvimos que discutir el problema con los platos sucios. – We had to discuss the problem with the dirty dishes.

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I’ve Just Heard Of A Great Offer From Kitbag, Europe’s Leading
Online Sports Store. To Promote The Opening Of Their Online
Christmas Store They Are Offering Free Customised Name & Number
Printing (Worth £11.95) On Football Shirts.

This Includes Premier League, European And International Football
Shirts. This Offer Is Live Now And Runs Up To MIDDAY On Friday 6th
November.

Ordering Football Shirts Online Now Would Be A Great Start To Your
Christmas Shopping. I’ll Be Sending A Copy Of This Email To My Wife
As A Subtle Hint Of What She Might Like To Get For Me This Year!

Below I’ve Listed The Main Links That Might Interest You:

——————————————————————–
FC Barcelona Shirts -
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=PLhth&m=1ZlhEzKLIaB_59&b=jLQ9IQ5nrOAAE.hZchLhAg)
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Real Madrid Shirts -
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=PLhth&m=1ZlhEzKLIaB_59&b=08LFZK.iAGes_Tn1tHKuMg)
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English Premier League Shirts -
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=PLhth&m=1ZlhEzKLIaB_59&b=3FliudHpEBRv9GZSPuQpmw)
——————————————————————–
Other European Shirts -
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=PLhth&m=1ZlhEzKLIaB_59&b=ZOn4__2mNVxkwk3q2kAigA)
——————————————————————–
International Shirts -
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=PLhth&m=1ZlhEzKLIaB_59&b=eBjN4pgfYKL62PQY9rmPeQ)
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Formula 1 Gear -
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=PLhth&m=1ZlhEzKLIaB_59&b=wXf6Q6sbYYDDV8C2L56zWA)
——————————————————————–

You’ll Find Celtic & Rangers Shirts In The European Shirts Section
Along With All The Giants Of Italian Football.

Best Sellers Are FC Barcelona Shirts With “Messi” On The Back And
Real Madrid Shirts With “Kaka” Or “Ronaldo” Printed On Them. The
Choice Is Yours But Remember That This Offer Ends On Friday
Lunchtime (UK Time).

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Spain’s unemployment rate is likely to rise further in the coming months, but at a slower pace, economists at BNP Paribas said. The firm expects the jobless rate, on average, to go up to more than 18% in 2009 and nearly 21% in 2010. In the third quarter, the jobless rate stood at 17.9%.

According to official data, unemployment increased 2.7% month-on-month in October, after a 2.2% rise in September. Year-on-year, the number increased 35.1%, but slower than the 41.3% rise in September. In October, there were 3.9 million unemployed persons.

The increase in unemployment, combined with the payment of the new 420-euro unemployment benefit to unemployed, whose right for the ordinary unemployment benefit has expired, is likely to contribute to the sharp increase in the public deficit to almost 10% of GDP in 2009, BNP Paribas said.

However, the report noted that the month-on-month rise in unemployment was due to seasonal factors, with October generally corresponding to end of seasonal contracts in agriculture. In this sector, unemployment grew 12.5% in October after a 0.4% rise in the previous month.

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Latest podcast

After a really lousy day at work I went to meet Anne at the hospital and then get the shopping from Mercadona. So far so good. We tried to watch the Liverpool game versus Lyons only to find the picture breaking up after ten minutes. That really is the way to reward a hard day´s graft. Let´s get the weather forecast……at least the weather looks fine!

mié

22 °C | 13 °C

jue

19 °C | 12 °C

vie

19 °C | 11 °C

sáb

22 °C | 10 °C

I don´t believe this.  Liverpool score in the 83rd minute. Great. Then let in a goal on the 89th minute. I give up! Every blessed time he takes Torres off the opposition score. Will Benitez ever learn?

I pay for my website to be hosted via Yahoo. Every month Yahoo goes awol when it clears its computer. I can handle that. Please, please, please will someone ask Yahoo to stop mucking about with the blessed e-mails!

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Spain is set to begin debating whether to put an end to the “Beckham Law” that allows foreign soccer players to pay nearly half as much tax as regular citizens.

The governing Socialist party made a pact in parliament Tuesday with two other parties to debate whether foreign players who earn at least 600,000 euros (C$941,830) should pay 43 per cent tax instead of the current 24 per cent.

The law was named after former Real Madrid player David Beckham. The England midfielder was the first foreigner to arrive after the law came into effect in 2004.

Spanish league president Jose Luis Astiazaran told The Associated Press that players may opt to move countries if the law is changed, adding that it could “kill” the league.

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Benidorm Has Talent

By admin

“This is such an exciting project for us to undertake” says Producer Steve Shappelle. Benidorm Has Talent is aid of Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) and is being organised in collaboration and with the support of the Euro Weekly News and Benidorm Palace.

The tremendous success of these kinds of events goes to prove just how much talent is hidden and just waiting for the opportunity and the chance to show what they have, after all everyone has a Christmas party piece!!!! So whatever it is you got, we want to see it.

This will be a truly international event, and is open to anyone over the age of 14 to a 114. Shappelle has been the producer of the Costa Del Sol’s WOW Factor for the past two years which has also been a great success, and thus is something totally different as it is open to anyone who HAS TALENT.

The choice of the Benidorm Circus to hold the heats, is a great one, Circus has a magic of its own and this venue will come alive on the 21st and 22nd November when the heats are held.

The final will be held at the glittering Benidorm Palace on the 29th November. We will have the best of the best with twenty five acts battling it out for the 2,000 euro prize, a 750 euro 2nd prize and a stunning production to boot.

There will also be a number of fantastic prizes to be auctioned including an authentic Rolex watch (Courtesy Morne from EU Roadshow) and a stunning flat screen TV (Courtesy of the Euro Weekly News).

This is something for the whole family to get involved with, so everyone should start rehearsing, individual acts, duos, groups, choirs, dancers, dance groups, mime acts… whatever your talent, we want you to join in the what will truly be the Event of the Year,

Benidorm Has Talent… Have you?

Boookings

To book a table or buy tickets contact Benidorm Palace box Office on , info@benidorm-palace.com or visit www.benidorm-palace.com (tickets go on sale on Tuesday November 3)

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A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.
 
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.

The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.

Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.

The little girl said, ‘When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah’.

The teacher asked, ‘What if Jonah went to hell?’

The little girl replied, ‘Then you ask him’.
 
 
 
 A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s work.

As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.

The girl replied, ‘I’m drawing God.’

The teacher paused and said, ‘But no one knows what God looks like.’

Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, ‘They will in a minute.’
 
 
 A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.

After explaining the commandment to ‘honour’ thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, ‘Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?’

Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, ‘Thou shall not kill.’
 
 
 One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.

She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, ‘Why are some of your hairs white, Mum?’

Her mother replied, ‘Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.’

The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, ‘Mummy, how come ALL of grandma’s hairs are white?’
 
 
 
 The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.

‘Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, ‘There’s Jennifer, she’s a lawyer,’ or ‘That’s Michael, He’s a doctor.’

A small voice at the back of the room rang out, ‘And there’s the teacher, she’s dead.’
 
 
 A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, ‘Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face.’

‘Yes,’ the class said.

‘Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn’t run into my feet?’

A little fellow shouted, ‘Cause your feet ain’t empty.’
 
 
 
 The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:

‘Take only ONE . God is watching.’

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

A child had written a note, ‘Take all you want. God is watching the apples.’

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A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet..

She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.

Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she
Slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall’s Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment.
Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing.. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

‘And what do you want?’ the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice.. I’m talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven’t se en in ages,’ he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

‘Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,’ Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone.. ‘He’s really, really sick … And I want to buy a miracle.’

‘I beg your pardon?’ said the pharmacist..

‘His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?’

‘We don’t sell miracles here, little girl. I’m sorry but I can’t help you,’ the pharmacist said, softening a little.

‘Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn’t enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs..’

The pharmacist’s brother was a well dressed man He stooped down and asked the little girl, ‘What kind of a miracle does your brother need?’

‘I don’t know,’ Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he’s really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation… But my Daddy can’t pay for it, so I want to use my money.’

‘How much do you have?’ asked the man from Chicago

‘One dollar and eleven cents,’ Tess answered barely audibly

‘And it’s all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.’

‘Well, what a coincidence,’ smiled the man. ‘A dollar and eleven cents—the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. ‘

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said ‘Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let’s see if I have the miracle you need.’

That well dressed man was Dr Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn’t long until Andrew was home again and doing well.

Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.

‘That surgery,’ her Mom whispered. ‘was a real miracle I wonder how
Much it would have cost?’

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost..one dollar and eleven cents….plus the faith of a little child.

In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need.

A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law.

I know you’ll keep the ball moving!

Here it goes. Throw it back to someone who means something to you!

A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see is the treasure of friendship you’ve granted to me.

Today I pass the friendship ball to you.

Pass it on to someone who is a friend to you.

MY OATH TO YOU…

When you are sad…..I will dry your tears.

When you are scared….I will comfort your fears..

When you are worried……I will give you hope.

When you are confused……I will help you cope.

And when you are lost …. And can’t see the light, I shall be your beacon …. Shining ever so bright.

This is my oath ….. I pledge till the end.

Why you may ask? …. Because you’re my friend.

Signed: GOD

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Word of the Day

la actualización  ak-twa-lee-zah-syon’  (noun)

update, modernization, upgrade

EXAMPLES

La última actualización del sitio de web es magnífica. – The latest update to the website is magnificent.

La actualización de las escuelas es necesario para una sociedad avanzada. – School modernization is necessary for an advanced society.

For more information and examples, visit the SpanishDict.com entry for la actualización.

True luck consists not in holding the best of the cards at the table; luckiest is he who knows just when to rise and go home. – John Hay, 1838-1905

The patient, Anne, is recovering but she still has a lot of pain. She has to go to Physiotherapy every day of the week and it is a bit draining. She also has a cocktail of pills to help in the recovery. Despite all this pain she is upbeat and feels it mght soon show signs of a good result.

My thanks for this week´s Cool prize goes to Bellflor Florists in La Cala Finestrat. If you need flowers for that special occasion then you´ll find the shop next to the Wok on the main N322 and opposite Europe´s highest hotel, the Bali.

The weather is good but the workload is heavy. Man Utd and Chelsea had to share the goals tonight. Will Liverpool win tomorrow night? Can Rafa Benitez keep his job? It really should be the last thing on my mind at the moment but I do think this could be a pivotal moment for the beleaguered Liverpool boss. I thought the team played really well at Fulham where it is not the easiest of places to win. The referee was on some sort of high methane and they didn´t deserve to lose. However, the question is….Can he motivate his men to make a superhuman effort?

Let´s get the weather forecast…….

Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
22° C | 12° C	22° C | 12° C	20° C | 12° C	19° C | 11° C

* 10 Ways to Detoxify Your Life *

Be a chocoholic: “Dark chocolate is the ultimate superfood,” says integrative medicine specialist Jeffrey Morrison of New York.

The high concentration of polyphenols helps protect your body from free radicals and can reduce the chance of heart disease and cancer. Your daily dose? “One ounce of dark chocolate (with 77 percent cocoa content).”

Go here for complete news story.

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* Robots Teach Kids with Motor Skills Disorder to Write *

Researchers at the University of Leeds are developing a device that lets children with dyspraxia, a motor-skills deficit, perform exercises designed to help them improve coordination. Similar to the high-degree-of-freedom interfaces used by computer animators and modelers, the device is essentially a digital pen attached to a robotic arm, and is used to control various games and activities, such as pushing virtual objects along a 3-D course. The arm exerts resistive forces to help guide the child’s arm and hand.

Go here for complete news story.

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Cleaning Poem
I asked the Lord to tell me
Why my house is such a mess
He asked if I’d been ‘computering’,
And I had to answer ‘yes.’
He told me to get off my butt,
And tidy up the house.
And so I started cleaning up…
The smudges off my mouse.
I wiped and shined the topside.
That really did the trick….
I was just admiring my good work.
I didn’t mean to ‘click.’
But click, I did, and oops – I found
A real absorbing site
That I got SO way into it -
I was into it all night.

So nothing’s changed except my mouse.
It’s as shiny as the sun.
I guess my house will stay a mess…..
While I sit here on my bum.

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I received news of meetings on the Costa Blanca which should be of great interest to new residents….

Good morning,

Please find attached information about the new program that is going to take place during the month of November in different municipalities of the Province of Alicante . The lectures will be in English and one in German.

new lectures for european residents- charlas residentes europeos- conférences residents européens

Un saludo,

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The great weather has continued and we have an Autumn which has become more like Summer. I am so busy I really am missing most of this but it is good for the tourists. Let´s start today with an interesting article for the older web user……….

Surfing the Web will change your brain. And the change will do you good. Previously, UCLA researchers used imaging scans to reveal brain circuitry activity in older adults who were experienced in online searches. Results showed that these Internet users have higher brain activity levels than inexperienced users.  When the UCLA team recently conducted a follow-up study, though, they found that rookie Web surfers are able to get up to speed quickly.  Researchers set up a series of Web search drills for subjects over the age of 55 who had very little online experience. Imaging scans showed that their first attempts at Web searching stimulated areas of the brain associated with language, reading, memory, and visual abilities.

Within a week, other brain areas associated with decision-making and working memory had been freshly stimulated. The study authors believe that regular Web surfing provides the type of brain exercise that helps older adults stay mentally sharp.
an excellent place to exercise your brain is in the archives at www.HSIBaltimore.com

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

<—————————————————————————————————————Here´s the weather for Alicante…..

Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
21° C | 14° C	22° C | 12° C	21° C | 9° C	20° C | 11° C	21° C | 12° C
Scattered Clouds	Clear	Scattered Clouds	Scattered Clouds	Clear

Here´s our word for the day for those learning Spanish……….

Morado mo-rrah’-doh  (adjective)

purple

EXAMPLES

Me gustan las uvas moradas más que las blancas. – I like purple grapes better than white ones.

El color morado es el color de la realeza. – The color purple is the color of royalty.

IDIOMS

Pasarlas moradas – To have a tough time

Ponerse morado – To stuff oneself

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Plaza de España in Seville
Seville is the foreigner’s stereotypical Spain with flamenco
dancing, bullfighting and sherry drinking. The city oozes charm and
deserves several days to soak up the atmosphere and see its many
sights. The Plaza de España dates back to the 1929 Spanish Americas
Fair and is located in the beautiful Parque de Maria Luisa.

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When chest pain occurs, you just never know.  It might be dire – like a lightning flash before the thunder of a heart attack.  Or it might be mild – like a flashing dashboard light, warning that your vascular system may be due for maintenance.   When sudden reduced blood flow is the trigger behind any chest pain, these mild-to-serious conditions are called acute coronary syndrome (ACS).  Needless to say: Not good.

Danish cardiology researchers recently looked at a population study of more than 57,000 subjects, and came up with two important results. One: Healthy men with the highest intake of omega-3s from fish were significantly less likely to suffer an ACS event. Two: Unfortunately, this same link didn’t hold true for women. But there are other ways omega-3s can help women improve health and lower risk of ACS.

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Extra protection
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Your gums can play an important role in your heart health. In fact, heart disease is more likely among people with periodontitis. And, this type of gum disease may also play into ACS development. In a Swedish study I told you about three years ago, researchers recruited 161 subjects with ACS. Another 161 healthy subjects without ACS were recruited for comparison. When researchers measured bacteria in periodontal pockets between teeth and gums of each subject, bacteria levels were significantly higher among ACS patients. Deterioration of the bone that forms sockets around teeth roots was also much more advanced in the ACS group. The lead researcher of the study explained that high bacteria levels trigger an inflammatory response that may play a key role in ACS development.

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It was nice to hear from Ian and Brigitte at El Faro in Calpe. They sent me the following……..

ONE.  Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO … Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE.  Don’t believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR . When you say, ‘I love you ,’ mean it.

FIVE.  When you say, ‘I’m sorry,’ look the person in the eye.

SIX … Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN..  Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT.  Never laugh at anyone’s dream. People who don’t have dreams don’t have much.

NINE . Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it’s the only way to live life completely.

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don’t judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, smile and ask, ‘Why do you want to know?’

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say ‘bless you’ when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson !

SEV ENTEEN. Remember the three R’s: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN… Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship..

NINETEEN.  When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY.  Smile when picking up the phone… The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE.  Spend some time alone.

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Iris, my Silver Surfer, sent me the following

This came from a Marine unit over in Iraq … Their wish is to send it to as many people in the country as possible..
.. Hopefully we can help them achieve their goal.

This is a ribbon for  soldiers fighting in    Iraq  . Pass it on to everyone  and pray.
SLEEP LAST
NIGHT?
Bed a
little lumpy….
Toss and
turn any….
Wish the heat was higher…
Maybe the a/c !
Wasn’t on…
Had to go to the john…….< I>
Need a drink of
water…
?
?
Yes… It is
like that!
Count your blessings, pray for
them,
Talk
to your Creator
And
The next time when…
The
other car cuts you off and you must hit the
brakes,
Or you
have to park a little further from Walmart than you want to be,
Or
you’re served slightly warm food at the restaurant,
Or you’re sitting
and cursing the traffic in front of
you,
Or
the shower runs out of hot water,
Think of
them…
Protecting
your freedom!

-Message from  Iraq
The proud warriors of  Baker Company wanted to do  Something to pay  tribute  To our fallen comrade s So  since we are part of the only
Marine Infantry Battalion  left in  Iraq  the one way that we could Think of doing that is By  taking a picture of  Baker Company saying the way  we feel.
It would be awesome if you  could find a way to share  This with our fellow  countrymen.  I was wondering if there was  any way to  Get this into your
Papers to let the world know that  ‘WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN’  And are proud to serve our country.
‘
Semper Fi   1stSgt Dave  Jobe.’
The attached photo  was forwarded from one of the last U.S. Marine companies in Iraq
They  would like to have it passed to as many people as possible, to let the  folks back home know
That they  remember why they’re there and that they remember those who’ve been lost…..

I couldn´t get the photograph and felt I needed to say so.

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