Merry Christmas to everyone. If you click on the link you will experience one of the most uplifting versions of a well-known christmas song. Let´s hope we all have a better 2010 in health, wealth and happiness. I´m just putting together today´s podcast and I have to say there was some great music and memories for this particular day. Feel free to listen to any of the days I have completed up til now. There´s a long way to go to finish this job! The weather is decidedly milder but, as I said yesterday, we pay a price and rain is about. We´ll get the forecast shortly.
It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues. – Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865
I´ve just been watching an hour long film about a hunter in the Polar regions of Canada shooting a bear which was not a Polar Bear but seemed to be a cross between a Polar and a Grizzly. This sparked an investigation and they have filmed Grizzlies travelling far north and meeting their Polar cousins. I have come away to do other things as they cannot seem to get their heads round the two species mating. I suspect it only take as noo one of each to fancy formalities and Bob´s your uncle. However, maybe that´s not technical enough for the scientists!
Is it just my imagination or do the UK soaps save their gory stories to spoil Christmas. Eastenders has the usual mix of sleaze and violence with the Queen Vic at the centre of the plot. Coronation St was unbelievable the other night.- Just about anyone who could quarrel managed to find someone to quarrel with and one scene had about four different arguments at full belt. Isn´t Christmas a time for peace and happiness?
I said I´d get the weather for the Alicante province.
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
 22° C | 12° C
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21° C | 10° C
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 15° C | 8° C
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17° C | 4° C
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13° C | 4° C
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Goldman Sachs (GS) has threatened the UK Treasury with plans to move up to 20 per cent of its London-based staff to Spain in a standoff over tax and bonuses.
It´s believed that the Wall Street investment bank, which paid more than £2bn to the Exchequer´s ailing coffers in corporation tax alone last year, has fired a warning shot across the Government´s bows in response to the tax measures unveiled in the pre-Budget report earlier this month.
Goldman Sachs International was the biggest contributor from the financial services sector to Britain´s purse last year. Previous reports suggest that in some years the firm´s staff have contributed more than £1bn in personal income tax to public coffers.
A City source said: “Goldman could move a relatively large number of people if it wants to. Given how much Goldman and its staff contribute to the tax take, the firm has plenty of leverage. This is a bargaining position more than anything.”
The bank, which employs around 5,000 staff in London, is believed to have strong links to the Spanish government, although it has a relatively modest number of employees in the country. Although staff moving to Spain would not receive any special tax incentives, the bank could avoid paying the bonus tax, details of which, so far, remain sketchy. A Goldman Sachs spokesman said it is looking at all options as it negotiates with the tax authorities over the bonus tax.
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Here´s a video of a baby who has been born without a brain. This is amazing but look at this. It is one of the most amazing videos you will see. Please bear with the preliminary advert. These things make me realise how lucky I am.
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Could the recession actually have a healthy upside?
No doubt, the current economic scene is hurting people far and wide. And typically, homicides, suicides, cancer deaths, and mental health problems rise during deep recessions.
But an analysis published in a 2000 issue of the Quarterly Journal of Economics suggests that some health factors may actually improve. The 2000 study found that death rates dropped during the 1974 and 1982 recessions. But when the economy recovered in the mid-80s, death rates went up as well. Over the period of economic decline, rates of heart disease and car accidents also dropped.
Economists believe that recessions prompt families to spend more time together and follow a healthier diet because they tend to prepare meals from scratch at home.
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IDIOMS
Word of the Day
El columpio koh-loom’-pyo (noun)
swing; couch hammock
EXAMPLES
Pasaba mucho tiempo en nuestro columpio de llanta como niña. – I spent a lot of time on our tire swing as a child.
Si su bebé llora, póngalo en el columpio de motor. – If your baby cries, put him in an automatic swing.
el columpio basculante – seesaw
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* Bright Ideas for Treating the Winter Blues *
It’s that time of year when darkness descends like a heavy blanket beginning in mid-afternoon in much of the country. For some people, it also brings a desire to stay in bed and wait for spring.
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, affects an estimated 6% of Americans, causing depression, lethargy, irritability and a desire to avoid social situations. It can also create an urge to overeat, particularly carbohydrates. As many as 15% of people in the U.S. may have a milder version that includes only some of these symptoms. The incidence rises along with the distance from the equator: Roughly 8% of Canadians, 10% of Britons and as many as 20% of Scandinavians suffer from SAD this time of year.Go here for complete news story.
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* Exercise May Keep Your Cells Biologically Young *
People who run everyday do it to keep their hearts strong, spirits up and waistlines trim, but how many could guess that sweating it out on the treadmill may actually fight aging?
A new study in the journal Circulation, shows that vigorous exercise may be inducing a natural anti-aging effect that goes right down to our DNA.
Go here for complete news story.
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* Experts: Man Controlled Robotic Hand with Thoughts *
A group of European scientists said Wednesday they have successfully connected a robotic hand to an amputee, allowing him to feel sensations in the artificial limb and control it with his thoughts.
The experiment lasted a month, and scientists say it was the first time a patient has been able to make complex movements using his mind to control a biomechanic hand connected to his nervous system.
Go here for complete news story.
1964, during a US tour Beach Boy Brian Wilson had a nervous breakdown during a flight from Los Angeles to Houston. Wilson left the band to concentrate on writing and producing. Glen Campbell replaced Wilson for the bands live shows. This is the definitive reason why Glen Campbell played with the Beach Boys.
2002, Sir Paul McCartney was granted his own coat of arms by the College of Arms.
2008, Clint Ballard Jr. died. He wrote ‘Game Of Love’ a hit for Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders’, and Linda Ronstadt’s, ‘You’re No Good’. His songs have been recorded by The Hollies, Frankie Avalon, Ricky Nelson, The Zombies and Jan And Dean.
