The weather in the desert is very hot right now and it is great to be working in my shorts again.
It’s amazing how many unseen or unknown people influence your life. We had our travel tickets booked through an agency and never met the agent. The computers we were using were invented, produced and delivered then installed by an unknown workforce and so people were involved before we set foot outside the house. Our trip could have started badly as our flight was cancelled because of the pilot strike in Spain. Our friend, Dave, had dropped us off at Alicante Airport and had gone off sublimely unaware that we were facing a crisis in the first minutes of our trip to California. We were booked onto this flight due to fly from Alicante to Madrid at 9.40 and here we were at 7.45 with no prior notification that there would be a problem. My Spanish lessons paid off as I was able to impress on the lady at the desk that this was not our fault and we should have been informed. She immediately came out of the office to deliver impeccable customer service by getting us booked onto the 8.30 flight to Madrid. God knows how we did it but we got through the checks and we found ourselves on the plane one hour ahead of our schedule. Any later plane would not have got us the connection. Madrid is a hub airport and is huge. My Spanish lessons also helped as we found the right place where we had to be very quickly. I had to explain we had been given temporary boarding passes and these needed to be exchanged and all the new stringent security checks made as we managed to get ourselves into the right waiting area for the plane to Dallas. I think two points from my earlier decision-making bore fruit. One was to always arrive early and then those Spanish lessons……
The flight to Madrid is quick and relatively painless and I have to thank Sheenagh for referring Paul McKenna’s DVD which helped me overcome my fear of flying. I still don’t enjoy turbulence but that goes with the territory. The 10 hour flight to Dallas was a little tiring but there were three snacks or meals served and the television was bearable. It’s always a good idea to have your earphones with you! The highlight of the trip was actually seeing the Great Lakes of Canada. It was already very interesting to see the coastline of the Iberian Peninsula disappear and with hours of the Atlantic already in mind it was a relief to see the coast of Greenland and then the expanse of Canada. All this impressed on me the bravery of all those pioneers crossing the Atlantic and the explorers in the wilderness areas of Canada. It also becomes very evident just how big Canada is as the plane speeding along at 500 miles per hour gradually moved into the USA. We had a Canadian couple sitting ahead of us and they pointed out to us which were the famous lakes. Translating this into North American English ….it was awesome! The nature of the landscape was changing as we travelled south and it really wasn’t overly long before we were landing in Dallas and I was reflecting on just how good these airline professionals are and how well they do their jobs. We stayed at the Fairfield in Dallas and then up early for the next day after a good night’s sleep.
Incidentally, we caught Piers Morgan’s TV show on American TV. He seems to be building a household name for himself in the States and I am now, more than ever, of the opinion he is being groomed as a world player in the Murdoch empire. With the news that the Sun on Sunday cometh and the hypocrisy that surrounded the hearings at the time of the News of the World folding I am convinced he will return to the UK to bigger things at some future time.
The news on the television here has been primarily about the price of gas in the States. Many of the callers made the point that it was incredibly silly not to be drilling for more oil in the States or completing the pipeline from Alaska. The breakdown showed the price of a gallon around 65% of the price and 10% was spent on marketing. The taxes were about 11% and then I think the rest was local tax. The point was made time and again the rich would always be able to avoid what was now economically hurting the middle class and Obama should be rolling back the taxes to avoid hyperinflation. It was clear to see why the problem is so important. The traffic around Dallas at 6.30 am. was pretty intense and the calls into the TV show illustrate the worries and concerns of everybody. There was a balance of opinion with many aware the problems are global but with the added notation that there is an election ahead and policies will be looking for vote catching ideas. Onto the airport and the security is ever tightening with newer and more stringent checks causing slight queuing but most people accepting this as a necessary evil. The staff seemed to want to be businesslike at the point of entry and friendlier and more chatty once the checks had been successfully made. The story progresses…….I was asked to share the following…..
BE AWARE EVERYONE WHO CARRIES OUT PAYPAL TRANSACTIONS – SERIOUS!
I’ve just been scammed. This is not forwarded from anywhere else, it’s me writing it.
I received an email this morning that looked as though it was genuinely from Paypal, telling me my account had been limited and to confirm my details. I went through the link, including what looked like genuinely logging in via the normal way, and verified my credit card details in the form that was on there. IT INCLUDED MY PIN NO!
Yes, of course I was suspicious, but as it was Paypal and had http at the start of the www address, I entered it. I sent it off then tried to log out. I clicked on ‘log out’ and nothing happened, then I clicked on ‘next’ and, you’ve guessed it, nothing happened. Immediately I phoned Paypal, who confirmed they NEVER send out emails like this.
Fortunately I was able to put a stop on it before anyone used Paypal, and also managed to cancel my credit card before there were any purchases or withdrawals made. Today’s lesson learned by me!
Even if you do not use Paypal, please forward this warning to anyone you know who may use Paypal
Thanks
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Two 90 year old men, Mike and Joe, have been friends all of their lives.
When it’s clear that Joe is dying, Mike visits him every day. One day Mike says, “Joe, we both loved rugby all our lives, and we played rugby on Saturdays together for so many years. Please do me one favour, when you get to Heaven, somehow you must let me know if there’s rugby there.”
Joe looks up at Mike from his death bed,” Mike, you’ve been my best friend for many years. If it’s at all possible, I’ll do this favour for you.
Shortly after that, Joe passes on.
At midnight a couple of nights later, Mike is awakened from a sound sleep by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calling out to him, “Mike–Mike.”
“Who is it? Asks Mike sitting up suddenly. “Who is it?”
“Mike–it’s me, Joe.”
“You’re not Joe. Joe just died.”
“I’m telling you, it’s me, Joe,” insists the voice.”
“Joe! Where are you?”
“In heaven”, replies Joe. “I have some really good news and a little bad news.”
“Tell me the good news first ,” says Mike.
“The good news,” Joe says,” is that there’s rugby in heaven. Better yet, all of our old friends who died before us are here, too. Better than that, we’re all young again. Better still, it’s always spring time and it never rains or snows. And best of all, we can play rugby all we want, and we never get tired.”
That’s fantastic,” says Mike. “It’s beyond my wildest dreams! So what’s the bad news?
“You’re in the team for this Saturday.”
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Therapy”
Two women were playing golf. One teed off and watched in horror as her ball
headed directly toward a foursome of men playing the next hole.The ball hit one
of the men.
He immediately clasped his hands together at his groin, fell to the ground and
proceeded to roll around in agony.
The woman rushed down to the man, and immediately began to apologize. ‘Please
allow me to help. I’m a Physical Therapist and I know I could relieve your pain
if you’d allow me, she told him.
‘Oh, no, I’ll be all right. I’ll be fine in a few minutes,’ the man replied.
He was in obvious agony, lying in the foetal position, still clasping his hands
there at his groin.
At her persistence, however, he finally allowed her to help. She gently took
his hands away and laid them to the side, loosened his pants and put her hands
inside.
She administered tender and artful massage for several long moments and asked,
‘How does that feel’?
He replied: It feels great, but I still think my thumb’s broken!
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Bananas
A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression “going bananas” is from the effects of bananas on the brain. Read on:
You might be aware that I eat at least one banana every day of my life. After reading this, you’ll never look at a banana in the same way again.
Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes. But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS:
Forget the pills – eat a banana. The vitamin B620it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power:
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural ant acid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Overweight and20at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control:
Many other cultures see bananas as a ‘ cooling ‘ fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood Enhancer tryptophan.
Smoking &Tobacco Use:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
Strokes:
According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts:
Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you w ant to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
Recently, in Doctor Gotts column, he mentioned using the inner part of the banana peel to rub on any psoriasis…gotta try it!!!
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, ‘ A banana a day keeps the doctor away! ‘
The Day’s Events 23 February
1574 – France began the 5th holy war against the Huguenots. Troublemakers1660 – Charles XI became the king of Sweden.Charles who?
1821 – The Philadelphia College of Apothecaries established the first pharmacy college. I hope they were all qualified
1836 – In San Antonio, TX, the siege of the Alamo began. Folklore
1874 – Walter Winfield patented a game called “sphairistike.” More widely known as lawn tennis. Is America claiming its origins?
1886 – Charles M. Hall completed his invention of aluminum.
1887 – The French/Italian Riviera was hit by an earthquake that killed about 2,000. I hate such events. They show the power of Nature and the stupidity of conflict
1904 – The U.S. acquired control of the Panama Canal Zone for $10 million. I think they got a great deal more
1919 – The Fascist Party was formed in Italy by Benito Mussolini. Keep an eye on him!
1927 – The Federal Radio Commission began assigning frequencies, hours of operation and power allocations for radio broadcasters. On July 1, 1934 the name was changed to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The airwaves need organising
1940 – Walt Disney’s animated movie “Pinocchio” was released. Didn’t he have trouble with his nose?
1954 – The first mass vaccination of children against polio began in Pittsburgh, PA. I thought these began earlier in UK
1958 – Juan Fangio, 5-time world diving champion, was kidnapped by Cuban rebels. His getaway car wasn’t fast enough
1967 – Jim Ryun set a record in the half-mile run when ran it in 1:48.3. I remember seeing this on TV
1980 – Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini declared that Iran’s new parliament would have to decide the fate of the hostages taken on November 4, 1979, at the U.S. embassy in Tehran.
1991 – During the Persian Gulf War, ground forces crossed the border of Saudi Arabia into the country of Iraq. Less than four days later the war was over due to the surrender or withdraw of Iraqi forces.
1997 – NBC-TV aired “Schindler’s List.” It was completely uncensored. One of the most moving films ever made in my opinion
1997 – Ali Hassan Abu Kamal, a Palestinian teacher, opened fire on the 86th-floor observation deck of New York City’s Empire State Building. He killed one person and wounded six more before killing himself.
1998 – In central Florida, tornadoes killed 42 people and damaged and/or destroyed about 2,600 homes and businesses.
2000 – Robby Knieval made a successful motorcycle jump of 200 feet over an oncoming train. I am more impressed when he can jump the train over the bike!
2005 – The New York, NY, city medical examiner’s office annouced that it had exhausted all efforts to identify the remains of the people killed at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, due to the limits of DNA technology. About 1,600 people had been identified leaving more than 1,100 unidentified. Why has this dreadful event seem to have gone quietly into the background to be replaced by a nearby mosque. This does not make any sense to me.How can over 1000 people just be forgotten?
1961, Petula Clark had her first UK No.1 single with ‘Sailor’. During her career the former child actress achieved a total of 20 UK Top 40 hits and 2 US No.1 singles.She now lives in Switzerland and still looks very good
1969, ‘If Paradise Is Half As Nice’ by Amen Corner was at No.1 on the UK singles chart, The Move were at No.2 with ‘Blackberry Way’ and Peter Sarstedt was as No.3 with ‘Where Do You Go To’. I love all these songs
1974, Suzi Quatro was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Devil Gate Drive’, the singers second UK No.1 and fourth No.1 for the songs writers Chinn & Chapman.We’ve not heard from young Suzy for many a year
1974, Rebel Rebel by David Bowie entered the UK chart, the single reached No.5 the following month. I liked this single
1978, Winners at this years Grammy Awards included Fleetwood Mac, Album of the year for ‘Rumours’, The Eagles, Record of the year for ‘Hotel California’ and Best pop vocal performance, The Bee Gees for ‘How Deep Is Your Love.’ These were all quality songs
1985, Stevie Wonder was arrested during an antiapartheid demonstration outside the South African Embassy in Washington; he was released after being questioned by police. They knew his was a name the world respected and his presence at the demonstration was a valued name
1989, Isaac Hayes was jailed by an Atlanta judge for owing $346,300 (£203,705) in child support and alimony.How can you run up a bill of this size?
1995, American singer Melvin Franklin of The Temptations died of a brain seizure aged 52. Had the 1971 US No.1 & UK No.8 single ‘Just My Imagination’ and re-issued ‘My Girl’ UK No.2 in 1992. In 1978 Franklin was shot in the hand and the leg when trying to stop a man from stealing his car.I confess to being a big fan of the early Temptations music
1998, All members of Oasis were banned for life from flying Cathay Pacific Airlines after “abusive and disgusting behaviour” during a flight from Hong Kong to Perth, Australia. They were a bunch of ……..
1999, Oasis guitarist Paul Arthurs was arrested and jailed overnight for being drunk and disorderly. Police found the guitarist outside a Tommy Hilfiger store in London. Read the above and then realise he thought he was above the law
2002, The Bee Gees made their last ever concert appearance when they appeared at the Love and Hope Ball, Miami Beach, Florida. A sad loss
2003, Howie Epstein bassist with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers died of a suspected drug overdose in New Mexico. He had replaced The Heartbreakers original bassist Ron Blair, Epstein also worked with Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Stevie Nicks, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Linda Ronstadt and Del Shannon.Another sad story from the world of pop+
2003, The News Of The World reported that Michael Jackson had undergone scores of painful operations to strip his body of black skin until he appeared white. And that surgeons at a Santa Monica clinic eventually refused him any more treatment. An insider told the paper that Jackson had been anaesthetised on a weekly basis to have his skin peeled and bleached.How sad was this? Why did he not see that he had millions of fans who didn’t care about the colour of his skin
2003, Norah Jones cleaned up at the 45th Grammy Awards, held at Madison Square Garden, New York. The singer, songwriter won, Album of the year and Record of the year, with ‘Don’t Know Why.’ Song of the year, Best new artist and Best female pop vocal for ‘Don’t Know Why’. Greedy girl
2010, London’s Abbey Road studios was made a listed building, protecting it from plans to radically alter it. Culture Minister Margaret Hodge listed the studios on the advice of English Heritage saying it had “produced some of the very best music in the world”. The Beatles used Abbey Road for 90% of their recordings, naming an album after the studios in 1969. At least this was a very wise decision based on hiry achieved in our own lifetime
The Day’s Events 29 February
