I really was in the kitchen pointing out the food! I was making it up as I went along so I am not sure what else for dinner. We have fresh veg today and fancy the parsnips too.
PS. And this link and post are now dead!
Tuesday, 12 December 2006
Hellooooo
This post re-published December 2012
I really was in the kitchen pointing out the food! I was making it up as I went along so I am not sure what else for dinner. We have fresh veg today and fancy the parsnips too.
PS. And this link and post are now dead!
I really was in the kitchen pointing out the food! I was making it up as I went along so I am not sure what else for dinner. We have fresh veg today and fancy the parsnips too.
PS. And this link and post are now dead!
Monday, 16 October 2006
Blog swansong
Blogging has been so therapeutic for me and utterly worth it. I'd recommend everyone to at least blog for a while in their lives. For some it may be a short lived activity and for others longer. I should hope there is no judgement either way but I'm done with blogging. May you enjoy your process because I certainly have.
Lately I've not been having a great time in myself so something has to give. I am a survivor. Simple as that. I need to walk away completely and move on. To think about other projects. Space clearing I guess. It is a positive decision and feels good.
I'm sorry I haven't gone around and said goodbye to my favourite haunts but know that I have given you a cheery wave and a smile. For those of us whose lives have touched, I am the richer for those special moments of connection. May you be very happy and love and peace fill your lives. I will carry your memories and treasure them.
Blog copier
I can recommend www.httrack.com and download their free to use open source software to copy your entire blog and the comments too. (Click on the options on the second page and click on "include link" and then as the Criterion select "Links containing" and then put in the beginning of the url to your comments field. For me it was https://beta.blogger.com/comment and then voila, blog with comments!) The file structure is rather large, and maybe not suitable as a back-up copy but at least you can have a copy of your blog and messages kept for safe keeping for whatever reasons. If I so wish, I can now look back over old posts and enjoy them and the comments made.
[Comments switched off and all posts to date were removed from blog]
Lately I've not been having a great time in myself so something has to give. I am a survivor. Simple as that. I need to walk away completely and move on. To think about other projects. Space clearing I guess. It is a positive decision and feels good.
I'm sorry I haven't gone around and said goodbye to my favourite haunts but know that I have given you a cheery wave and a smile. For those of us whose lives have touched, I am the richer for those special moments of connection. May you be very happy and love and peace fill your lives. I will carry your memories and treasure them.
Blog copier
I can recommend www.httrack.com and download their free to use open source software to copy your entire blog and the comments too. (Click on the options on the second page and click on "include link" and then as the Criterion select "Links containing" and then put in the beginning of the url to your comments field. For me it was https://beta.blogger.com/comment and then voila, blog with comments!) The file structure is rather large, and maybe not suitable as a back-up copy but at least you can have a copy of your blog and messages kept for safe keeping for whatever reasons. If I so wish, I can now look back over old posts and enjoy them and the comments made.
[Comments switched off and all posts to date were removed from blog]
Friday, 13 October 2006
Freakonomics
This is a great book to read but I wouldn't go quite so far as the front cover blurb "Non-stop fun" or on the back cover: "Dazzling ... a delight".
The Tractor book had on its reverse, "An extraordinary read ... nothing short of amazing. A rare treat, all too easy to gulp down in one greedy sitting".
As it happens I very much enjoyed both books (buy 1 get 1 ½ priced at WH Smith!) but I wonder about the cover reviews they add to books. Such outrageously over the top comments (proabably taken out of context) that leads one to perhaps have higher expectations of the contents than one might ordinarily expect. Perhaps even leading to dissapointment for some readers?
On the other hand, I wonder if quite so many copies would be sold if they didn't put such sensational reviews on the covers? It feels almost deceptive to me. Luckily, on this occasion for me, these books turn out to be good reads but I would be less than impressed if I had been duped by the sensationalism.
My latest book, Emotional rollercoaster, a journey through the science of feelings has a rather more fitting review on it's cover: "An entertaining, informed guide to the responses that drive and colour our lives". I think that is already a far more balanced comment but then this book was tucked up on the 3rd floor and not on the best seller shelves.
Anyway, Freakonomics. It was a fascinating look at economics in terms of number crunching but applied to everyday life social situations. One of the authors took a lot of flack a few years ago for his research which suggested that the massive drop in crime in the US was due to the legalisation of abortion back in the early 70s rather than any crime measures put into place. So that by the time the late 1990s came there just wasn't the numbers of teenaged youth. What made his research so distasteful was his pointing the finger at single, unmarried mothers from low income and mainly Black families that produced the most criminals. And who would make the most use of the low-cost legal abortions. Having been a single parent on a low income of course that raises my hackles but, in the book, he does take it carefully and I didn't get the feeling he was being judgemental as well as he acknowledges the myriad of issues involved.
Other subjects he looks at includes "Why do drug dealers still live with their moms" and "How is the Klu Klu Klan like a group of estate agents" and others. Overall the whole book was thought provoking, funny in places and worth reading. It makes one look at the world, or rather question it, from a different viewpoint.
Original Comments:
- Milt Bogs said...
- That is a very nice template you've got there Gran.
"Why do drug dealers still live with their moms?" sounds interesting.
- Atyllah said...
- Deceptive? Book blurbs? No, Doris dear, it's just marketing! ;-)
- ella m. said...
- I liked most of Freakonomics....until the last chapter. While the rest of the book was firmly steeped in research, the chapter on the connection between baby names and status contains way too much anecdotal fluff (inclusing an old urban legend) for my liking.
I'm glad to see you are feeling a little better, as you sounded very stressed and depleted a few posts ago.
- Gerald Ford said...
- "Klu Klu Klan like a group of estate agents"
Didn't you know?
Actually neither did I. ;P
Hm, I will have to screen my next real estate agent by asking what they do in their spare time (like to dress in costumes, take part in community events, etc).
None of that for me, thanks.
Tuesday, 10 October 2006
Dark black clouds
There are times when they just descend. Sometimes, as if out of nowhere. For a few days I can feel that something is not right but nothing specific and nothing to put my finger on.
Having our car broken into was a nuisance, a pain, really crap, but that wasn't it. Having a son who started the second year of secondary school last week after having a year and a half away being home educated was more worrying. At 9.15am on his first day he is getting a sick note to excuse himself out the lesson. Sometime during the week he was pulled up by staff for not tucking his shirt into his trousers and on the Friday of this short 3.5 day school week he was sent out of class (the first he had attended with this teacher) for laughing. I walked the 2 mile journey (each way) to and from school 3 times with him and his friends to find that the other boys made no pretence of being on best behaviour on my account. The first journey home took us meandering over roads with disregard of traffic; in and out of sweet shops spending on junk that just ended up being thrown around; trespassing across private property which lead to a choice of scaling the 15 foot fence or doing a spiderman and hanging from the fence and edging along the ledge for about 10 yards until one clambered over a mini bridge and around the fence. I climbed the fence (which admittedly utterly impressed my son).
Oh yes, then there was stopping off at the cheap supermarket for four x 2 litre bottles of fizzy drink which they then had wild fun shaking up and smashing on the ground spraying each other in their new clean school uniforms and passers by with with gunk. One kid ran across the busy road to avoid the spray causing a car to brake and beep their horn. In the park a few of the kids have a grudge against the pigeons and armed themselves with stones and pelted the birds.
These are my son's peers. The people most likely to have an influence over him. I'd say this was pretty depressing.
Meanwhile my daughter is living beyond her means and like her brother swans in and out without thought of helping run the community of our house. That's depressing.
But there is something more and unidentifiable. These are the bleak clouds, like acrid smoke from a fire, it curls in slowly and then takes its grip. Throughout the early stages so that one day I am performing OK and being jolly and then the next day it has fully taken hold. Tears keep flowing and I just can't cope. I'm upset and angry but I don't get loud or shouty. Nor have any desire to except in respect of the kids when I fear I would be way out of control so try desperately to say nothing and keep away.
For nearly 24 hours I am oppressed and under. I'm drowning. Mr Doris is there trying to be nice to me but he can't get through. Nothing touches me. I am cold and dispassionate except for the tears. I try to suppress the tears in bed and sob quietly, sometimes making little gasping for air noises.
Then the clouds start to lift. I'm still susceptible to tears. I'm still close to the edge but not quite so precarious now. In hours even I could be back to my good ole jolly reliable self. This has happened on occasions in the past on and off during my life.
Original Comments:
Having our car broken into was a nuisance, a pain, really crap, but that wasn't it. Having a son who started the second year of secondary school last week after having a year and a half away being home educated was more worrying. At 9.15am on his first day he is getting a sick note to excuse himself out the lesson. Sometime during the week he was pulled up by staff for not tucking his shirt into his trousers and on the Friday of this short 3.5 day school week he was sent out of class (the first he had attended with this teacher) for laughing. I walked the 2 mile journey (each way) to and from school 3 times with him and his friends to find that the other boys made no pretence of being on best behaviour on my account. The first journey home took us meandering over roads with disregard of traffic; in and out of sweet shops spending on junk that just ended up being thrown around; trespassing across private property which lead to a choice of scaling the 15 foot fence or doing a spiderman and hanging from the fence and edging along the ledge for about 10 yards until one clambered over a mini bridge and around the fence. I climbed the fence (which admittedly utterly impressed my son).
Oh yes, then there was stopping off at the cheap supermarket for four x 2 litre bottles of fizzy drink which they then had wild fun shaking up and smashing on the ground spraying each other in their new clean school uniforms and passers by with with gunk. One kid ran across the busy road to avoid the spray causing a car to brake and beep their horn. In the park a few of the kids have a grudge against the pigeons and armed themselves with stones and pelted the birds.
These are my son's peers. The people most likely to have an influence over him. I'd say this was pretty depressing.
Meanwhile my daughter is living beyond her means and like her brother swans in and out without thought of helping run the community of our house. That's depressing.
But there is something more and unidentifiable. These are the bleak clouds, like acrid smoke from a fire, it curls in slowly and then takes its grip. Throughout the early stages so that one day I am performing OK and being jolly and then the next day it has fully taken hold. Tears keep flowing and I just can't cope. I'm upset and angry but I don't get loud or shouty. Nor have any desire to except in respect of the kids when I fear I would be way out of control so try desperately to say nothing and keep away.
For nearly 24 hours I am oppressed and under. I'm drowning. Mr Doris is there trying to be nice to me but he can't get through. Nothing touches me. I am cold and dispassionate except for the tears. I try to suppress the tears in bed and sob quietly, sometimes making little gasping for air noises.
Then the clouds start to lift. I'm still susceptible to tears. I'm still close to the edge but not quite so precarious now. In hours even I could be back to my good ole jolly reliable self. This has happened on occasions in the past on and off during my life.
Original Comments:
- Stegbeetle said...
- I hope some ray of sunshine breaks through your dark clouds, Doris.
Hopefully your son will find some less objectionable friends but I'm sure he'll soon get back into the swing of "the school thing" but don't sweat the small stuff - I was always getting pulled up for "shirt not tucked in" as well as "top button not done up".
*hugs*
Choccie?
- Stegbeetle said...
- *apologises for grammatically horrible comment*
I hear the sound of English teachers spinnig in their graves.
- Doris said...
- Thanks Steggie I've now had a choccie or two!
About the teachers, I love the idea of these bat caped English teachers with cobwebs hanging from their peaked hats as they "spinnig (sic) in their graves". LOL that right cheered me up :-)
But you know, it is not the small stuff I am worrying about - I'd have thought that in the first he'd have been trying hard to do the right thing by the school. But I live in a world of my own making that doesn't exist. I am more worried about the road dangers.
Still, things are better with him today. It has to get better.
- Doris said...
- "I'd have thought that in the first he'd have been trying hard"
should read
"I'd have thought that in the first week he'd have been trying hard"
Tch. More spinnig dost thou teachers do-est ;-)
- Atyllah said...
- Doris, dear, the feeling of disempowerment and an inability to control the circumstances around us will reduce anyone, not just you, to a miserable heap.
You poor thing - horrible and worrying to witness all that and feel unable to do anything about it.
You can but hope that everything you've put into your son to date will shine through and he'll find his way through this and make friends who are less intent on needing to prove themselves.
I do hope the dark clouds pass soon and light floods into your life.
Can I send over some sinful Turkish Delight ice-cream - discovered it today, thought I'd died and gone to heaven. (Such a pity I'm dairy intolerant!)
- Ally said...
- I hope you're feeling better - hang in there.
- Doris said...
- Thanks Atyllah and Ally
I must be on the mend otherwise I'd not have managed that post yesterday and then after that, actually had a once in a rare blue moon good evening as son worked with me to make dinner (the conversation and the learning of culinary skills was good) and daughter was more communicative at dinner, quite jolly really, and helped clear up afterwards.
Did you know Atyllah that I have a thing for Turkish Delight? And now there is an ice cream!!! OK - must seek it out!
I am concerned about my son's friends and will keep an eye out for which way he goes. My son is a nice kid with a really lovely nature which I hope he can keep some of that for his adult self rather than this testosterone charged aggressive teen.
- Anji said...
- I hope you're feeling better as the time passes. I remember olivier going back into school after a 6 month break. I just sat and waited at home until it was time to collect him, feeling sick. It did get better. I'm sure he'll sort some decent friends out "water always finds it's own level"
- Chandira said...
- Aw.. Love.
I know, I get days like that too, it feels like a weight is sitting there in your stomach, and nothing will shift it. It can hit you for no apparent reason sometimes too.
If it gives you any hope, I survived high school, despite being a near alcoholic in my teens, I did survive, and life is good. Mostly. If I can get through that in one piece, I'm sure your son can!!
Let it out though, don't sit on all that emotion. A pillow over the face will cover up most screams.
Good for you, climbing the fence.. lol
- Carol said...
- Gosh, Doris. Hopefully all these things are teething problems that will be ironed out as time passes. Here's hoping. Hugs to you
- Britmum said...
- Doris I can totally relate to how you are feeling in so many ways.
Take care xx
- jane said...
- Doris, I'm sorry you've been feeling down. It is very difficult having to let go a bit of our children. Knowing the influence others have on them is a scary thing, especially when the influental ones are deliquents. With grown kids, the best advice I can offer is to keep close to your kids. Kids ALWAYS want boundaries, even though they may say they don't. Boundaries keep them safe.
And your wonderful, wonderful Mr.Doris...he's a gem.
Bless you, friend.
- Doris said...
- ~ Thank you ~
Tuesday, 3 October 2006
Crap stereo
Oh the irony of it all. Some time during the night, probably after the local police stuck a booklet on our windscreen about car security, our car was broken into and the stereo and CD changer taken.
Having forced the lock, completely breaking it and damaging the door skin, they then smashed the glass on the passenger side. The only reason the stereo was in the car was because it was a crap model and the buttons had broken and we couldn't remove it nor even open the flap to change the CD. It was a crap stereo.
The car was parked within yards of the security camera. We park under the lime trees of the park and put up with the sticky drippings because of the security camera. We used to park round the corner but similar happened just before Easter of this year so we didn't park there anymore.
Ths time we had the police crime detection people out. A young scrap of a lass who looked younger than my daughter! She did a good job, though the stickiness of the lime trees meant no finger prints were forthcoming, there was a tool imprint she took with a rubber substance.
We will not be getting a replacement stereo. I like to have music and news when I'm driving so we will find a different way for that. This is all such crap. Crap. Crap. Crap.
Original Comments:
Having forced the lock, completely breaking it and damaging the door skin, they then smashed the glass on the passenger side. The only reason the stereo was in the car was because it was a crap model and the buttons had broken and we couldn't remove it nor even open the flap to change the CD. It was a crap stereo.
The car was parked within yards of the security camera. We park under the lime trees of the park and put up with the sticky drippings because of the security camera. We used to park round the corner but similar happened just before Easter of this year so we didn't park there anymore.
Ths time we had the police crime detection people out. A young scrap of a lass who looked younger than my daughter! She did a good job, though the stickiness of the lime trees meant no finger prints were forthcoming, there was a tool imprint she took with a rubber substance.
We will not be getting a replacement stereo. I like to have music and news when I'm driving so we will find a different way for that. This is all such crap. Crap. Crap. Crap.
Original Comments:
- Cheryl said...
-
Oh Bollocks.
Poor you.... I don't know what else to say. - Ally said...
-
Oh dear, I am so sorry. The same happened to me years ago and I drove around with the windows open singing madly to keep myself awake on long journeys for about six months. It was a very long winter.
Stupid bollocksy thiefs. May their crowbars slip and permanently damage them. - Britmum said...
-
Oh Doris I am sorry for all the crapiness. We had that a few times when we were residing in the U.K. Trouble is the old houses don't have garages and you have no choice but to park in the street. Bloody gits that think its ok to steal and damage peoples property.
Thinking of you.
Take care xx - ella m. said...
-
My sympathies, having something stolen from you in that fashion is one of the most unpleasant things that can happen to a person.
As far as alternatives, how about the subscription service sattelite radio (XM or Sirius)? As I recall most of their recievers are portable and could be taken back into the house with you at night. - Mike said...
-
Very sad that things like this happen. Trouble is it's almost accepted in many places as being the norm.
A big bar of chocolate sometimes helps! Mike. - Milt Bogs said...
-
I assume that the security camera wasn't working or that the boggers were 'hoodied up'. The police always get excellent results from security tapes - but unfortunately that's only on The Bill.
I left a car unlocked once and the prats still smashed the window. - Neutron said...
-
Arghhh...I have experienced this twice...the one occasion in Italy where - amongst other things - our passports and ferry tickets for Greece were stolen and the other in Germany - yes, Germany - where my guitar and all my equipment was nicked. You really don't realise what it's like until it happens.
SYMPATHY!! - Anji said...
-
I'd love to have seen their faces when they realised it wasn't up to much; Think Karma, perhaps when they're old and deaf someone will steal their hearing aids!
We had a neighbour who used to leave her car unlocked so they wouldn't do any damage when they 'broke in' - Kurt Reply said...
-
Hello, Doris,
Sorry to hear of your car stereo theft. It's always a violation isn't it...I had someone enter my unlocked car years ago to swipe some coins and rifle through the glove compartment. I felt violated.
Doris, on another topic: I spend much time listening to radio while I work, and whereas you also expressed an interest in radio I thought you might enjoy this humorous weekly show. National Public Radio in the US has the best programming and this show, "What d'Ya Know," is funny and entertaining. I write this to you as I listen to its Oct.7 broadcast from Duluth, Minnesota. The humour is local yet still understood by generally everyone. It's the highlight of my week, and after you listen to a couple of episodes using this archive, you may be hooked as well. I hope you enjoy it.
Best wishes,
Kurt
http://www.notmuch.com/Show/index.pl#archives - Astryngia said...
-
Difficult to think of anything adequate to say! How tiringly tiresome. B****y 'beep' B******s
- Le laquet said...
-
Makes me want to slap them!!
- Atyllah said...
-
Oh horrors. The sad thing is down in this neck of the woods that sort of thing is considered completely normal. In fact, we consider ourselves lucky if it's just the stereo that gets nicked and we get away with our lives in tact.
Sunday, 1 October 2006
Toshiba apples
The trouble with reading a good book is that I end up talking to myself, with that ever eternal, inner monologue, in the style of whichever writer I have just read. "A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian" was not the corset ripping comedy I was lead to believe from various reviewers over the last months but it was still an excellent yarn with a sense of wry humour and at times a complete farce that worked well. Ultimately though, it was poignant and clever.After their mother dies, two grown up sisters are horrified when their elderly father remarries a much younger and voluptuous Ukrainian woman, Valentina, seeking to legitimately stay in the UK with her son. The tractor history bit is something that is interwoven throughout and is an extremely novel way of constructing the story.
An undercurrent of the book is the way the two sisters are so different. One is the war child (WWII) aware of the horrors and the other born just after, in peace time UK, and a time of hope and re-birth. There are only a matter of 8 years between them but there is a whole universe of difference with each living their own life until Valentina comes on the scene and they then have a common enemy and resolve their differences.
As for those internal monologues.... this afternoon a call out the blue from son's genetic father (Mr Y Chromosone) who happens to be not that far away dropping off his youngest daughter to university. "Great" says I, "come on over" [after all we never hear from you from almost one year to the next thinks I]. Mr Y is about an hour or so away. Ten minutes later he phones again and says his daughter is coming too and is that alright and am I sure. Without hesitation, of course I say "yes". [I think family is important and they should have more contact now that his children are all adults. A little notice wouldn't have gone amiss though but I say nothing.]
Mr Y coming is one thing and does not require me to do much, but bringing a 20 year old daughter who has never knowingly met me and suddenly I have a desperate need to make sure that the house is reasonably ship-shape and tidy, which it isn't. I am almost the Valentina character from the book. For many years I was the interloper, or perhaps the dark shadow over the lives of Mr Y's children and here his Youngest was braving the visit. Youngest and son are siblings through the father. I am delighted that connections are being made. Son has met Youngest once before and the socialising is like water off a duck's back to him - he has inherited this characteristic from me.
But Youngest is a young woman. The thought she would meet me must have crossed her mind. Is she expecting a Valentina character, all hussy and frou-frou? I know I'm not that but I can't have her thinking what a sluttish house I keep. [It isn't a sluttish house either, it is actually OK but just in need of a little spruce round the edges.]
Whatever Mr Doris must have made of me like a whirling dervlish round the house barking out commands and flapping and cleaning and polishing. He must be wondering why I am making such an effort. And all the while the internal dialogue about this or that continues. At least the house did well out of it and has a fast spring clean.
Mr Y and Youngest have arrived. Youngest was ever so lovely and I reckon we clicked as soon as I loudly acknowledged (within minutes!) that her father was pushing her through University to do courses he thought were good for her rather than making the choices herself.
Mr Doris nipped round to the corner shop to find some cake and biscuits to serve with tea and after a short while into this flying visit I excused myself and Mr Doris and we left them to it. Silly having us all round politely talking: wonderful Mr Doris; the ex-love-of-my-life Mr Y; and me the hussy [which I'm not] with son [my son that Mr Y never contributed to and originally accused me of getting pregnant with on purpose who is now the apple of his eye] and his Youngest. All polite tea and cake. But we left them to it.
I was delighted that my Daughter showed her face and went and said hello. Mr Doris had asked her to do so and she could have avoided it but she didn't. I am grateful.
It wasn't a long visit but extremely pleasant and went well. Youngest hugged us all, including me, "goodbye". We even swapped mobile numbers as she offered to come and braid son's hair next time it was needed. She offered that she was only one stop away on the train. Gosh.
The Toshiba apples are a curious recipe from the book. The eccentric elderly father found a way to prepare the multitude of apples that fell from the tree in the garden. It involved cooking them in the Toshiba microwave until a warm sticky mass. It doesn't appeal to me but I tried to think of an equally quick way to prepare a meal for our guests but as they have to rush I, and they, are spared.
It is an interesting Sunday afternoon.
Original Comments:
- Atyllah said...
- Definitely an interesting afternoon. Manic cleaning aside (I know the tendency all too well), I think you did a stunning job in potentially difficult circumstances. Well done, you! And, having wondered about it for ages, I am now going to doddle off and get myself a copy of a "A Short History..."
- Cheryl said...
- I got it out of the library this Easter when it was new out - like you I made the choice based on reviews - but took it back after one chapter. It was so bloody miserable and boring and all about interfering and putting each other down, and wow just written from the perspective of a whiny professional victim and grumbler, I thought. All dirty laundry and no air.
You did better than me to plough through all that self involved and depressing stodge - three cheers for you.
Oh, oops, did I mention I didn't like the book? I guess you gathered that ;-)
- Britmum said...
- Wow what a whirlwind day you had. I am glad that it turned out well for you.
Does your son have long hair? I am just curious.
The book sounds brilliant too.
Take care xx
- Doris said...
- In reverse order!
Britmum Hiya :-) Yes, son does have long hair. This is a pic of it before Christmas so it is much longer now and he keeps it in canerows which are easier to manage. And when he has it out he has a huge 70's afro. Quite a dude!
Cheryl I'm glad I am not the only one who gives up on books that just do not appeal! I think the book was definitely worth perservering with especially as the relationships and the different stand points (or as you put it the "whiny professional victim and grumbler") mellow and at the end even explains why. That took us into the history of the consequences of World War II and was well explained but not until the end. Also, seeing as I can be a bit thick at times, even I picked up on the double standards in bringing up kids.
PS. I think Blogger have sorted their technology and none-beta bloggers can post comments OK now. Or maybe I am wrong!
Atyllah I'd be very interested to hear views from others who have read the book so let me know some time - or maybe you might blog it.
- Pookie65 said...
- Wow, Doris, you did have a interesting Sunday. I'm glad it went smoothly for you. That Mr. Doris sounds just perfect. Out of curiousity was he already this good when you met him or did you have to train him? ;-)
Huggers!
- Doris said...
- LOL Pookie! Mr Doris required no training from me on these sorts of things. However, in other areas of life he may have needed a little training from me and he most definitely has trained me to become [this will be hard to believe, I grant you ;-) ] a nicer person and to be more chilled out.
- Astryngia said...
- How the circle of life comes around - just a stop away. Life making another transition...
Must get around to reading that book!!
Saturday, 30 September 2006
Trouble posting comments?
This is a sticky post and will stay on top this month.
If you have trouble commenting because this is a Blogger in Beta then click on *Other* and put in a link to your blog. Though some people can't do this either. I just don't know so good luck!
Original Comments:
If you have trouble commenting because this is a Blogger in Beta then click on *Other* and put in a link to your blog. Though some people can't do this either. I just don't know so good luck!
Original Comments:
- Anonymous said...
-
I lurve the new sophisticated blog - it's so yooo! :-)
Astryngia - Doris said...
-
Oooooo -thank you :-D
- Steve said...
-
Blog looks great Doris, I love the Betty Boop pic. May I suggest another quote for the left hand side of your blog:
I am not bad I'm just drawn that way:- Jessica Rabbit - Milt Bogs said...
-
I have been away too long.
Thanks for the comment. - marina said...
-
Pretty layout :) Took me ages to try to find out how to remove the text in the new blogger. In the end, I made it white so its invisible!
- Doris said...
-
Steve Thanks Steve and thanks for your suggestion - I will bear it in mind ;-)
Milt Life is like that! Nice to see you too :-)
Marina And your blog is pretty too - I love it that you use all those photos throughout. What is the problem with the white text.... looks like you have fixed it on your blog?
Many years ago, as a small kid, I used to live in Singapore. :-D - Karen said...
-
Liking the new look :-)
- Anji said...
-
I do like the new look!
- Gerald Ford said...
-
Love the blog, Doris! :)
- Gerald Ford said...
-
P.S. It seems to work better if I "preview" first, then publish.
- ella m. said...
-
hopefully this works....how does one do the blogger beta thing w/o starting their blog from scratch? Is that possible?
(Yours looks quite nice, so now i'm curious) - Badaunt said...
-
You DIDN'T write so much while I was away, after all. It was the new layout, I guess - Bloglines told me you'd been writing like a maniac, and I thought it was going to take me forever to catch up.
Whew!
Love the new look. - Badaunt said...
-
BTW, Gerald's trick worked for me, too. Preview first, then publish. No problem!
(No problem as long as I remember, that is...) - Britmum said...
-
Doris I love your new blog. Very nice indeed.
Take care xx - Anonymous said...
-
for a while it had
"Trouble posting comments?"
then
"I don't care!"
as the titles. made me giggle.
charlie*
Tuesday, 26 September 2006
Long distance trains
I've always loved the smell of diesel. Ever since the days of the boat train at Victoria station it has held a place in my soul. As you walk down the platform, alongside the diesel engine turning over with a noisy hum, the smell of diesel brings anticipation. New adventures, new experiences and maybe new people to meet along the way. Or maybe a return to the arms of loved ones, or even just home to a bed you know and things being in their familiar place.After a more than wonderful weekend away with precious friends I have returned home again. The fast train zooming across countryside stopping only a few times. Absence has certainly made the heart grow fonder as I throw myself into the arms of Mr Doris meeting me at the station. Both the children are home and both give me the loveliest of smiles hello. Like I am someone special.
I sure love those big diesel trains standing at the platforms revving up ready to go. Taking me to beyond and then back home again. Thank you.
Original Comments:
- Britmum said...
- That was such a nice post. I always liked going on the trains for a special day out.
Take care xx
- Stegbeetle said...
- "both give me the loveliest of smiles hello. Like I am someone special."
But you are someone special - you're Mum. How much more special do you want?
- jane said...
- What a nice homecoming for you. I'm glad you had a good time with friends & had an enjoyable train ride.
- Gerald Ford said...
- Doris, if you ever can, please take the Bullet Train in Japan. It's an amazing ride you'll never forget. You're zooming along at incredible speeds, but the ride is incredibly smooth, quiet, and the food's good too!
I took it with my wife in Winter, and we passed Mt. Fuji in a deep snow-fall.
Unforgetable.
- Atyllah said...
- Isn't it amazing how evocative the sense of smell can be.
Loved these lines: "New adventures, new experiences and maybe new people to meet along the way. Or maybe a return to the arms of loved ones, or even just home to a bed you know and things being in their familiar place." Hmm-mmm, that's what travel is all about.
- Anji said...
- I like going on trains but I don't like oily smells. What a lovely welcome home you had.
- Chandira said...
- :-) Glad you had a good time away. Getting home again is so nice though, I always love that part. I'm more of a homebody than I realised in the last few years.
No kids, but the cat always lets me know how happy (or hungry!) she is when I get home!
P.S. I still have your email about the Mercury thing, I'll get to it! Glad your travels went smoothly this time.
- neutron said...
- Oh Doris, you have struck a nerve with me there! I have a deep-seated pretty embarrassing fascination with train travel that no amount of easyjet cheap flights or motorway tootling can budge. Give e the countryside flashing by outside a train windonw any day...diddly -dum...diddly-dum...diddly-diddly-diddly -dum....ahhhhhhhhh
Thursday, 21 September 2006
Allsorts
Note to self: do not take overseas phone calls at quarter to eight in the morning because I am likely to have some person earnestly trying to sell me their project to match up with my project and telling me how I can be earning more money but what they have is just advertising rubbish. And he got frustrated with me because I don't have dollar signs in my eyes!
Yesterday: walking home through the park a squirrel stood to attention just ahead of me and held that proud and majestic position until I drew up next to it, then it bounded off. It looked a magnificent creature.
This week: daughter is seventeen and very happy. I feel a sense of achievement and gratefulness that she seems reasonably balanced and hasn't felt the need to run away from home like I had when I was 16.
This weekend: I'm off to stay with a very good friend for a few days down sowf.
Just now: I'm plugged into NASA TV watching preparations for the return to earth of the shuttle with Anousheh Ansari (the first female space tourist) onboard. Anousheh has now written her first blog from space!
NB. I must be completely off my rocker..... Anousheh has only just returned to earth and I was confused as she didn't come back on the Shuttle but instead stayed on the ISS. And I've been reading her blog, well, bits of it, and thought that these were reports written whilst she was up in space but only being logged now. I shall scuttle off now. 29 Sep 2006
Original Comments:
Yesterday: walking home through the park a squirrel stood to attention just ahead of me and held that proud and majestic position until I drew up next to it, then it bounded off. It looked a magnificent creature.
This week: daughter is seventeen and very happy. I feel a sense of achievement and gratefulness that she seems reasonably balanced and hasn't felt the need to run away from home like I had when I was 16.
This weekend: I'm off to stay with a very good friend for a few days down sowf.
Just now: I'm plugged into NASA TV watching preparations for the return to earth of the shuttle with Anousheh Ansari (the first female space tourist) onboard. Anousheh has now written her first blog from space!
NB. I must be completely off my rocker..... Anousheh has only just returned to earth and I was confused as she didn't come back on the Shuttle but instead stayed on the ISS. And I've been reading her blog, well, bits of it, and thought that these were reports written whilst she was up in space but only being logged now. I shall scuttle off now. 29 Sep 2006
Original Comments:
- Atyllah said...
- Congratulations on raising a well-balanced daughter - no mean feat in this crazy world.
Re squirrels - I couldn't pass on some of mine to you, could I. They've moved into the family room where the nutstash is kept and have made themselves at home. I'm not sure whose house this is anymore - mine or theirs. It is, however, quite definitely a nuthouse!
- Stegbeetle said...
- Had I $20 million to spare, I'd try the "space tourist" thing. What a cool trip!
- cheryl said...
- Wow - thanks for the link to Anousheh - what a brilliant post she did.
Happy birthday to daughter!
- Anji said...
- Happy birthday to your daughter; mine will be 18 in six weeks and certainly seems more capable and well balaced than i was at that age. We had squirrells in our woods but after the hurricane of 1999 they seem to have gone into hiding, aren't they lovely?
have a lovely weekend
- Minx said...
- I've had no foreign phone calls, no squirrel nutkins but 'Space blogger', how cool is that?
- Gerald Ford said...
- walking home through the park a squirrel stood to attention just ahead of me and held that proud and majestic position until I drew up next to it, then it bounded off. It looked a magnificent creature.
One time, I was walking through a park with a freshly toasted, shredded chicken sandwich, and I suddenly realized I was surrounded.
I am not joking, but six squirrels had appeared out of nowhere, and had surrounded me!
The stood there, quietly sniffing the air, and I carefully walked past them, in case they tried something...
True story. My wife was there.
- Doris said...
- I can imagine that Gerald Ford and I can imagine it was quite intimidating!
Minx I'd be happy to share "my" Space Blogger with you! ;-)
Anji Congrats to you too then for that time 18 years ago when you did the deed. I can't say that my daughter is more capable than me at this age but at least she is much happier. We live next to a park and so have squirrels walking along our wall all the time. Strange to think that your local population just died off or disappeared.
Cheryl Thanks! :-)
Steggie I think it is a great way for the incredibly wealthy to spend their money - helping to fund the space programme. Now to earn the first $20 mill!
Atyllah Thank you re daughter. Wow - squirrels actually in the house? Now is this the real house or the house of the alien chicken.... I get confused at times ;-) But either way I quite believe it is a nuthouse! ROFL
- Britmum said...
- Great post Doris. I liked how you set it up too.
Take care xx
Thursday, 14 September 2006
An act of faith
This will be news to those few people who know me in real life. Things have happened so quickly and that's the way things tend to happen round here.
Although I am committed to the idealogy of home education my secondary year age son will be returning to a full time school environment quite soon. It was son's request as a result of peer pressure from friends who said it was an okay school and I just investigated further and arranged a visit. Getting a place is not yet in concrete and we have had a few hurdles along the way but I am quite joyful as it all feels so right.
It turns out that the local rubbishy school wasn't so bad after all and had a lot of bad press. In fact the local school is wonderful to the point I want to cry at how lovely it is on both a pastoral, educational and even architectural level.
Then we find out that son can't have a place after all so I am to go through appeals. A few phone calls later and I already have references sent to the school who call at the end of the school day with some reassuring noises, that son is to attend on Monday for the usual testing procedure, and that one way or another they will squeeze him in.
The act of faith happened earlier today just after the initial refusal (from the council offices and by post - the school do not deal with their own admissions!) and I went into town to get a copy of the guidance for making an appeal. A bit further down the road is the uniform shop where I bought a school tie and sweater in son's size. Buying these essential items showed that I knew he would be going to that school. But I didn't show him until the call from school. He is happy and I am happy.
It has been an interesting wonderful day. This afternoon daughter brought home her A level exam artwork which she gave her permission for me to put up. One piece is appropriately in the breakfast room as it has kitchen connotations which she revealed the colours were based on our own kitchen which she liked. And the other piece which is Klimt in style, I put up over the fire place in pride of place in our parlour. She had no idea and thought I was going to put it up in the hall. She's just come home and seems secretly surprised where I have placed it.
It would be safe to say I am feeling quite smug with today.
Original Comments:
Although I am committed to the idealogy of home education my secondary year age son will be returning to a full time school environment quite soon. It was son's request as a result of peer pressure from friends who said it was an okay school and I just investigated further and arranged a visit. Getting a place is not yet in concrete and we have had a few hurdles along the way but I am quite joyful as it all feels so right.
It turns out that the local rubbishy school wasn't so bad after all and had a lot of bad press. In fact the local school is wonderful to the point I want to cry at how lovely it is on both a pastoral, educational and even architectural level.
Then we find out that son can't have a place after all so I am to go through appeals. A few phone calls later and I already have references sent to the school who call at the end of the school day with some reassuring noises, that son is to attend on Monday for the usual testing procedure, and that one way or another they will squeeze him in.
The act of faith happened earlier today just after the initial refusal (from the council offices and by post - the school do not deal with their own admissions!) and I went into town to get a copy of the guidance for making an appeal. A bit further down the road is the uniform shop where I bought a school tie and sweater in son's size. Buying these essential items showed that I knew he would be going to that school. But I didn't show him until the call from school. He is happy and I am happy.
It has been an interesting wonderful day. This afternoon daughter brought home her A level exam artwork which she gave her permission for me to put up. One piece is appropriately in the breakfast room as it has kitchen connotations which she revealed the colours were based on our own kitchen which she liked. And the other piece which is Klimt in style, I put up over the fire place in pride of place in our parlour. She had no idea and thought I was going to put it up in the hall. She's just come home and seems secretly surprised where I have placed it.
It would be safe to say I am feeling quite smug with today.
Original Comments:
- Atyllah said...
-
Sounds like the gods, the creative forces et al, have all been on your side today. Isn't it so nice when life turns out well. Why doesn't it happen more often, I wonder...
- ella m. said...
-
Well if they are working this hard to get him admitted, I'm sure they'll also do a lovely job educating him
- Anonymous said...
-
A result! :-) I both envy you and am very pleased for you all. :-) Enjoy! :-)
- Anonymous said...
-
PS That was me, Astryngia!
- jane said...
-
Your reaction to your son's request about going to a public school sends him such a positive message. It shows him that he does indeed have valuable ideas & that, as an adult, you find them worth considering. How happy you must be making him by granting him this.
I hope it all works out for the best. - Anji said...
-
nothing can make us feel more happy than our children.
- Britmum said...
-
I am so glad that today turned out to be a wonderful day. You sound like you have some brilliant children.
Take care xx - Gerald Ford said...
-
Good with your son going to school. :)
Tuesday, 12 September 2006
I don't care!
It could be the two generous glasses of red wine that are doing that. Though I'd rather think it was the most fantastic braised beef dish that I have made. Skirt of beef browned off first, with onion, garlic, celery, carrot, potato, pearl barley, bay leaves, sage, stock and red wine. Utterly fabulous and succulent and satisfying.
Dinner was late so I didn't make everyone sit down for dinner so Mr Doris sat as his desk to eat and I on the chaise longue. Son decided he didn't like the dinner and refused it and daughter is a born again "for the umpteenth time" vegetarian. I don't think Mr Doris realised he hasn't been his usual attentive self and didn't acknowledge the lovely food. Me? I'm just in heaven with this gorgeous and sumptuous meal. I have no cares it has not been acknowledged, nor eaten by the kids. Tough. Their loss.
Another busy day. Loads of work, helped a local kid with his grammar which re-instated my confidence as a good educator, and possibly agreed to send son back into a full time school environment at his own request.
But the best bit of today was dinner :-)
Original Comments:
Dinner was late so I didn't make everyone sit down for dinner so Mr Doris sat as his desk to eat and I on the chaise longue. Son decided he didn't like the dinner and refused it and daughter is a born again "for the umpteenth time" vegetarian. I don't think Mr Doris realised he hasn't been his usual attentive self and didn't acknowledge the lovely food. Me? I'm just in heaven with this gorgeous and sumptuous meal. I have no cares it has not been acknowledged, nor eaten by the kids. Tough. Their loss.
Another busy day. Loads of work, helped a local kid with his grammar which re-instated my confidence as a good educator, and possibly agreed to send son back into a full time school environment at his own request.
But the best bit of today was dinner :-)
Original Comments:
- Stegbeetle said...
- *stomach rumbles*
Sounds good to me. Would it travel well in the post, do you think?
- Atyllah said...
- Food sounds delicious - think you should post the recipe!
- jane said...
- Oh Doris, that sounds absolutely delicious. You made my mouth water. Hey, what the kids don't want is more leftovers for you & hubby. ;)
- Luke Riemenschneider said...
- Like the sound of that briased beef doris! Just like my Patsy makes!
Friday, 8 September 2006
Satyagraha - 9/11
11 September 1906 was the beginning of Satyagraha.
Wikipedia says that Satyagraha is "the philosophy of nonviolent resistance most famously employed by Mohandas Gandhi in forcing an end to the British Raj and also against apartheid in South Africa".
At the meeting on 11 September 1906 it was Sheth Haji Habib, a Moslem, who had a huge impact on Ghandi [see the first link], and so began the effective process of "non violent resistance" which became the main force of the Indian Independence movement.
Over the years many still lost their lives but Satyagraha shows that there is a way other than terrorism and war.
Original Comments:
Wikipedia says that Satyagraha is "the philosophy of nonviolent resistance most famously employed by Mohandas Gandhi in forcing an end to the British Raj and also against apartheid in South Africa".
At the meeting on 11 September 1906 it was Sheth Haji Habib, a Moslem, who had a huge impact on Ghandi [see the first link], and so began the effective process of "non violent resistance" which became the main force of the Indian Independence movement.
Over the years many still lost their lives but Satyagraha shows that there is a way other than terrorism and war.
Original Comments:
- Atyllah said...
-
Would that some others would realise that! But perhaps "They" have a darker purpose...
I came across this recently:
"The welfare of the people in particular has always
been the alibi of
tyrants, and it provides the further advantage of
giving the servants of
tyranny a good conscience" (Albert Camus) - jane said...
-
Another of Gandhi's practices was Ahisma. "Ahisma = Non-violence in a very broad meaning, including truthfullness and loving. Ahisma is a negation of hisma, meaning violence in a broad meaning"
As sophisticated as we're supposed to be, I am dumbfounded that the supposed "wisest amongst us" are stupid enough to believe that peace can possibly be derived via war.
Someone in the media here is finally speaking out about the injustices of the present regime here. If only for them, I hope there is a God & he isn't merciful or forgiving towards them on judgement day.
Sunday, 3 September 2006
911 Cover up?
I am not one for conspiracy theories.
So many people died and were terrified in the events of 9/11, and so many more across the world since then as a direct consequence of 9/11. That is a fact and without a doubt.
I have just watched 911 Cover Up - 2nd Edition Recut which is online on Google video and is one hour 29 minutes. It is a compelling documentary.
On their website www.loosechange911.com it honours and respects those that have died. It encourages you to do your own research and to come to your own conclusions.
My thoughts after watching are:
- how many people must be involved if there was a conspiracy and perhaps you can keep 20 people quiet but the number to be involved in planning and planting explosives in one of the World Trade Centre towers alone must be enormous - someone must have a conscience
- there will always be different descriptions of what was seen, or different views after the events of what was possible, and that discrepancies of reports can not be seen as evidence one way or the other
- sometimes the bizarre happens in life such as the flight recorders being irrecoverable whilst a paper passport survives
- the 6 second collapse of WTC building 7 is beyond bizarre
- the fact that three buildings collapsed with almost perfect precision is almost unbelievable but that is what they did
- if those planes with passengers that flew into the Pentagon; and Flight 93 that was brought down; were not the ones then where are the passengers now
- it is most irregular that there is no consistent plane debris at the Pentagon nor the other crash site
Original Comments:
- Doris said...
-
There may be problems posting - could be to do with having upgraded to Beta Blogger that has an impact on some others. I certainly had problems myself. Some have managed to post OK so hopefully it will resolve soon enough.
- Anonymous said...
-
Another question is this:
If the planes did not hit their targets, then what became of the passengers?
How were they removed from the equation? If the theory of missiles being used instead of planes is true, then whats to stop a whole contingent of 'soldiers' being eradicated the same way?
Mad B in hope - Anonymous said...
-
yay I can comment on a beta blog as long as I call myself a nonny mouse.
- Doris said...
-
You can also call yourself Other and put in a link to your blog.
*******************************
The matter of the people on the planes is either a major flaw in the "conspiracy theory" or else too horrific to contemplate their fate.
I am not sure, but there seems to be enough evidence from families that civilians were on those flights and that they did not survive/come home.
There are too many loose ends to support the conspiracy theories but there are also too many questions over the events. - Curly K said...
-
Doris, must play catch-up with all your posts but just wanted to say love your new look, how good are you to get is looking so good so quick when the rest of us have simply stuck with basically the same format. Clever old you !
- Anonymous said...
-
You can get almost all the answers to your questions on this matter by going here and reading the 8-9 pages. This is a respected publication.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/defense/1227842.html?page=4&c=y - Doris said...
-
This is the Popular Mechanics link posted by Anon above.
- Atyllah said...
-
Great new link and will follow the link so I can provide a chicken's perspective. I wonder if I will be able to post as a blogger here or not... have had problems on other blogs switching to beta blogger - have decided not to switch yet despite invitation - I think I'll wait for all the bugs to be ironed out!
Answer to own question, Atyllah cannot post as a blogger. Sigh. I hope they get this fixed soon! - Atyllah said...
-
Damn, I meant great new LOOK!
PS doesn't help to post as "other and include name and web page" - still provides no link - you have to link your name as you would create a link in your blog.
Double sigh. - Doris said...
-
Regarding links: I don't understand what is happening. I use the *Other* option on other blogs but for some reason I have managed to log in here on my own blog OK so didn't know you can't do that here.
I've taken off the word verification thingy in case that helps for the moment. It will be back quicker than that if spam starts hitting here. - Sue said...
-
I always thought that the people who 'masterminded' the whole thing must have sat there dumstruck at the impact they made. "Holy Wotsits - who'd ever have expected the Towers to have imploded in that way."
And they're still shaking their heads about it today feeling that Allah had surely vindicated their aims for making it all work out so well 'beyond their wildest dreams'.
But I don't suppose they were sitting, watching either. They were onto the next thing, dugout in some hole somewhere, making sure they didn't get traced and caught.
I've expressed this colloquially to get my meaning across succinctly. No disrespect intended. - Sue said...
-
As far as I can see, it only likes Google accounts, not blogger ones.
- Doris said...
-
Sue I'm sure that there were more than a few people who felt the outcome was beyond their wildest 'dreams' though I can't imagine that regular Muslims' Allah would have condoned this atrocity.
I am not saying that this was perpretrated by anyone other than fanatics but having a major catastrophe does take ones attention off other matters or makes it easier to push forward various laws. Laws that would not have ordinarily been accepted. So, besides the terrorists, I bet that there were some people in power who found it extremely useful that the destruction was as categoric as it was.
In the UK there was a famous outcry with a government official advising another that 9/11 was a good day to bury bad news and they very nearly got away with it except the memo was leaked. Sadly, that is the way some politicans work.
Thanks for your views on this.
Here in the UK we are having programmes each evening about 9/11. Tonight's programme was about the after effects of the compensation money on some of the widows. It must only be a few so badly affected but to have families torn apart and family members denying unmaried spouses any rights to the compensation money is horrific. So sad that after the terrible events of 9/11 others could not act more kindly. Still, it is a TV program and I can't believe everything I hear.
Anon Thanks for that link to Popular Mechanics. I thought the explanation for the puffs of smoke/explosions during the collapse of the towers was most plausible that it was caused by the pressure of the floors falling down.
Also, I would have thought that if it was a triggered explosion that all those witnesses would have heard a lot more.
However, there are other areas I still don't understand. Such as how can the plane that went into Pentagon have almost dematerialised and yet there wasn't more smoke damage on the exit hole in the centre of the Pentagon. - Pookie said...
-
As always, Dear Doris, you offer something to get me thinking -- but before my morning coffee??? I just started watching the film and am trying to stay completely objective. But I will say that there always has been a lot of contradiction regarding this event.
Let me grab some coffee and keep on reading. I love the new look! And hopefully I'll be able to comment.
Hugs!
Pookie - Doris said...
-
Oh my goodness.....
This is an interview by Charles Goyette, on 9/11 Syncronicity (the 007 Episode) with Popular Mechanics' Davin Colburn.
Apparently.... the part of the Popular Mechanics article that "explains" the collapse of Trade Centre 7 (some hours after the Trade Centres collapsed) relies on classified government photographs that shows the building partly damaged in the way that Popular Mechanics describe. Otherwise, it seems there are no other photos or film which shows this damage that later led to the complete collapse of the building.
I find it most extraordinary that these photos are not released. Or some explanation as to why they are classified .... perhaps if it shows too many dead bodies then that is understandable.
There is also discussion as to how can DNA prove the hijackers were on the planes (the DNA that was found amongst the molten steel) because what DNA did they have to compare to show it was the hijackers.
Very interesting. Radio programme lasts 21 minutes.
By the way, I am still not saying I am pro-conspiracy theory on this. - Anonymous said...
-
Doris said,"I am not saying that this was perpretrated by anyone other than fanatics but having a major catastrophe does take ones attention off other matters or makes it easier to push forward various laws. ...I bet that there were some people in power who found it extremely useful that the destruction was as categoric as it was."
Doris, I agree with you completely. I wrote this on another person's blog, and if it's too long I apologize, but I thought you would appreciate this sentiment from me, an American who did NOT vote for Bushes --any of them --and who was among those complaining at the outset that this Iraq war was a lie.
"...Please forgive my rambling here if it's not terribly cohesive, but I would like to tell you that I awoke this morning to a Wisconsin Public Radio hour that was disturbing (Public Radio is our normally well-rounded radio that looks at all viewpoints). Seems a small number (growing?) of ignoramusses here are insisting the 9/11 planes were a planned thing by the govt. and that one of them was actually a missile. Horse hockey.
A sicko called into the radio program, in which the host was interviewing a guy from Popular Mechanics magazine. The interviewee was talking about all the scientific evidence (the physics, the mechanics, the structural integrity of steel, the architecture,etc.) regarding the collapse of the buildings...what caused it, etc...we've all seen the science TV and read the articles explaining such.
So anyway, this ignorant sicko called in (I was half awake) and ranted about how the attack was a govt. plot and he ended his tirade (actually he was cut off) by accusing the interviewee of being guilty of the mass murder of those in the twin towers that day five years ago! The poor guy writes science articles for Popular Mechanics magazine (or he was the editor, I don't know) and you can imagine how much it shook him up. The interviewer asked him if he gets many people like that responding to his articles...he shakily said, No, not like that on live radio. There's no reason for the guy to have been attacked like that in a free society, and it's a shame that such encounters might hamper him doing his job well.
I've got no moral for you here, but I just wanted to share this early-morning experience. Ignorant people--and even more educated people--are feeling so out of control regarding everything that's happening in this confusing, complicated world that it's easy to start looking for demons everywhere.
Spreading fear for political purposes: yes, it happens all the time, and that guy who called in is the ideal mark for the conmen."
Doris, I listened to most of the radio link you provided here, and I am sorry that the interviewer was so confrontational to the poor Popular Mechanics researcher. This was NOT the guy to rag on...the guy to rag on is the President of the US and his cronies. Don't blame the poor science writer who's trying to do his best.
Would you like me to see if there is a link to the Wisc. radio programme, which was much more informative and less confrontational? - Kurt Reply said...
-
Well, I hope I haven't overstayed my welcome here, but I went ahead and found the radio link for you.
http://www.wpr.org/webcasting/ideas_audioarchives.cfm?Code=jca
After going to the link, scroll down to program 08/22C. The man being interviewed is a little more knowledgeable than the one in the radio interview you cited above. He was the head of the original Popular Mechanics investigative team. - Doris said...
-
Thank you Kurt for that link which I have reproduced here
I have just listened to the full 50 minutes of the interview. There may well be hot-headed and crazy people out there ready to phone in and accuse Popular Mechanics writers of being part of the conspiracy but that is no reason to stop any questioning over the matter of 9/11.
Indeed, comparing this interview with the other one - both people being interviewed were "co-authors" this interview is less aggressive (which is good) but also less probing. Much of what was said was pretty much what can be read on the Popular Mechanics website.
I was looking across the web for some images of the WTC 7 building and in amongst it found a website or two that shows UFOs at 9/11 and pictures of the devil in the smoke.
But I also found this fascinating page that shows other demolitions and it is fascinating.
If we are to stand away from the arguments over semantics, or the conflicting statements and look at the bigger picture there are three buildings that completely collapsed on 9/11. When it comes down to it the terrorists are responsible for what they did and caused the events but I don't hear any furore about checking the integrity of all our tall buildings across the world. Are our buildings really that vulnerable? - Kurt Reply said...
-
I concur with you on all counts, Doris.
What I worry most about is the inordinate amount of time that this nitpicking regarding photos, lack of photos, evidence, lack of evidence, etc., is causing us to spend on it, over and over again...it's wasting my time, it's wasting your time, it's wasting everyone's time, and it takes our minds (and our time) away from addressing the bigger issues that caused the attacks in the first place. What a shame, I say.
As for the safety of buildings, while you can increase security, you simply cannot make them physically "safer" when it comes to an airplane flying into them at 550mph or explosives detonated at their four corners. Every single one of us takes our daily risks and hope we ourselves won't be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In the end that's all we can do.
BTW, as a science person I've watched some good television specials here in the US regarding building demolitions by a well-known family business that's hired around the country to do these controlled demos. Indeed, it's fascinating. You might try looking for it this week on TV, perhaps on the Discovery Channel or a science channel (if you get something like that in the UK.) - Doris said...
-
But is it wasted time Kurt? I agree it is an inordinate amount, and it is questionable as to what can be achieved from it but on the other hand "what if".
On the basis of 9/11 Afghanistan was invaded to get Bin Laden but "what if" the perpertrators were a completely different faction?
"What if" the War on Terror was really a smoke screen for a sort of modern day imperialism? And so forth.
Questions are good. It keeps everyone on their toes but that is a little naive of me to hope that was the outcome.
As for safety of buildings I still wonder.
In the past I have seen some of those demolition programmes on the cable channels and actually watch them by choice as they are fascinating. I've seen the care, time and planning needed to do their work which is one of my first points against any sort of conspiracy that the WTC was brought down by controlled explosion. And then I stand back and watch the WTC buildings fall. - Gerald Ford said...
-
This reminds me of those wonderful conspiracy theories about how the US never actually went to the moon. Instead it was all an elaborate hoax to fool the Soviets.
Screwballs. ;p - jane said...
-
"In a Scripps poll in 2006, 35% of American adults believe it is very or somewhat likely that federal officials either took no action to stop the attacks on the WTC and the Pentagon or actively participated in them "because they wanted the United States to go to war in the middle east."
I tend to go along with this train of thought. Besides the 2,996 lives lost, America has gained the most from this. I'm not saying this to dishonor any of the victims.
I don't think we'll ever know the real truth because our gov't lies. This is a good topic, Doris. It's funny cuz in the USA where "freedom" reigns & we brag about having freedom of speech. If you sa anything against the gov't. regarding 9/11 or the war in Iraq, you're considered nonpatriotic and a traitor. Isn't that just lovely? - Kurt Reply said...
-
Hi, Doris,
I just stopped in again to see if this discussion continued a bit, and it did...in the right direction. Gerald and Jane are correct.
Except, Jane, I think a few more Americans are seeing the light with regards to the blind patriotism crap. Or, maybe I am just hoping too much.
Doris, there are lots of people who didn't vote for Bush in the last election, but their votes didn't get counted because of fraudulent practices. This is not conspiracy theory, not fiction. I feel you should know that.
One more interesting radio show happened this morning which you might want to listen to if you are at all interested in what the mess is over here regarding our problems in government. This guy summed up the complicated state of affairs we have over here in the US right now. It will take years if not decades to fix--if it can be fixed.
This is that same radio link as above, but go to program 9/11C (Mark Crispin Miller). Doris, the program isn't just about election fraud as the link description suggests. It's also about a crooked government, the awful war they got us into, and the damage it's done. This is what a good percentage of Americans are thinking. I really want your British readers to know we are not all pro-war and pro-Bush.
Anyway, thanks for "listening" to me!
Kurt - Kurt Reply said...
-
Oh, I forgot to paste the link into my comment. Again, go to program 9/11C.
http://www.wpr.org/webcasting/ideas_audioarchives.cfm?Code=jca - Doris said...
-
Sorry this isn't a reply to various points brought up - just no time at the mo, but I did want to say Kurt THANKYOU for telling me about the latest radio show. I've just listened to it as I worked. If you hear any more shows that might be of interest then I would welcome you taking the time to drop me a note on this post or any latest post.
Best wishes. - kurt said...
-
Doris, it's good of you to ask me for an occasional bit I find good. My cousin just sent me this one. The conmmentary within the blog is pretty good too. This is the type of reporter we need to have again in this country.
Kurt
http://susiemadrak.com/2006/09/11/23/08/commentary/ - Doris said...
-
Thanks Kurt - much appreciated.
http://susiemadrak link - Doris said...
-
So that link commented on and linked to Bloggermann (Keith Oolbermann - A US TV host). Amazingly, he has quoted one of my favourite TV programmes from the past "The Twilight Zone" and an episode written by Rod Serling. Follow the links to read a brief outline of that episode in which is said:
"The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices, to be found only in the minds of men.
"For the record, prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy, and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all its own -- for the children, and the children yet unborn." - Doris said...
-
Offtopic! Correction: it was The Night Stalker I have fond memories of .... but I also watched some of The Twilight Zone. Rod Serling was responsible for writing the entire series of books that the TV series "The Twilight Zone" was based upon.
- Kurt said...
-
Doris,
I don't get cable so I never knew Olbermann til this week. Geez, even in print he's eloquent. Apparently he's all the talk around blogdom: saw this on a blog and thought you'd like to have the whole speech in this section for reference.
Good wishes,
Kurt
and the MSN page it's on:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/#060911b
What Olbermann said... here it is in print:
Half a lifetime ago, I worked in this now-empty space. And for 40 days after the attacks, I worked here again, trying to make sense of what happened, and was yet to happen, as a reporter.
All the time, I knew that the very air I breathed contained the remains of thousands of people, including four of my friends, two in the planes and -- as I discovered from those "missing posters" seared still into my soul -- two more in the Towers.
And I knew too, that this was the pyre for hundreds of New York policemen and firemen, of whom my family can claim half a dozen or more, as our ancestors.
I belabor this to emphasize that, for me this was, and is, and always shall be, personal.
And anyone who claims that I and others like me are "soft,"or have "forgotten" the lessons of what happened here is at best a grasping, opportunistic, dilettante and at worst, an idiot whether he is a commentator, or a Vice President, or a President.
However, of all the things those of us who were here five years ago could have forecast -- of all the nightmares that unfolded before our eyes, and the others that unfolded only in our minds -- none of us could have predicted this.
Five years later this space is still empty.
Five years later there is no memorial to the dead.
Five years later there is no building rising to show with proud defiance that we would not have our America wrung from us, by cowards and criminals.
Five years later this country's wound is still open.
Five years later this country's mass grave is still unmarked.
Five years later this is still just a background for a photo-op.
It is beyond shameful.
At the dedication of the Gettysburg Memorial -- barely four months after the last soldier staggered from another Pennsylvania field -- Mr. Lincoln said, "we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."
Lincoln used those words to immortalize their sacrifice.
Today our leaders could use those same words to rationalize their reprehensible inaction. "We cannot dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground." So we won't.
Instead they bicker and buck pass. They thwart private efforts, and jostle to claim credit for initiatives that go nowhere. They spend the money on irrelevant wars, and elaborate self-congratulations, and buying off columnists to write how good a job they're doing instead of doing any job at all.
Five years later, Mr. Bush, we are still fighting the terrorists on these streets. And look carefully, sir, on these 16 empty acres. The terrorists are clearly, still winning.
And, in a crime against every victim here and every patriotic sentiment you mouthed but did not enact, you have done nothing about it.
And there is something worse still than this vast gaping hole in this city, and in the fabric of our nation. There is its symbolism of the promise unfulfilled, the urgent oath, reduced to lazy execution.
The only positive on 9/11 and the days and weeks that so slowly and painfully followed it was the unanimous humanity, here, and throughout the country. The government, the President in particular, was given every possible measure of support.
Those who did not belong to his party -- tabled that.
Those who doubted the mechanics of his election -- ignored that.
Those who wondered of his qualifications -- forgot that.
History teaches us that nearly unanimous support of a government cannot be taken away from that government by its critics. It can only be squandered by those who use it not to heal a nation's wounds, but to take political advantage.
Terrorists did not come and steal our newly-regained sense of being American first, and political, fiftieth. Nor did the Democrats. Nor did the media. Nor did the people.
The President -- and those around him -- did that.
They promised bi-partisanship, and then showed that to them, "bi-partisanship" meant that their party would rule and the rest would have to follow, or be branded, with ever-escalating hysteria, as morally or intellectually confused, as appeasers, as those who, in the Vice President's words yesterday, "validate the strategy of the terrorists."
They promised protection, and then showed that to them "protection" meant going to war against a despot whose hand they had once shaken, a despot who we now learn from our own Senate Intelligence Committee, hated al-Qaida as much as we did.
The polite phrase for how so many of us were duped into supporting a war, on the false premise that it had 'something to do' with 9/11 is "lying by implication."
The impolite phrase is "impeachable offense."
Not once in now five years has this President ever offered to assume responsibility for the failures that led to this empty space, and to this, the current, curdled, version of our beloved country.
Still, there is a last snapping flame from a final candle of respect and fairness: even his most virulent critics have never suggested he alone bears the full brunt of the blame for 9/11.
Half the time, in fact, this President has been so gently treated, that he has seemed not even to be the man most responsible for anything in his own administration.
Yet what is happening this very night?
A mini-series, created, influenced -- possibly financed by -- the most radical and cold of domestic political Machiavellis, continues to be televised into our homes.
The documented truths of the last fifteen years are replaced by bald-faced lies; the talking points of the current regime parroted; the whole sorry story blurred, by spin, to make the party out of office seem vacillating and impotent, and the party in office, seem like the only option.
How dare you, Mr. President, after taking cynical advantage of the unanimity and love, and transmuting it into fraudulent war and needless death, after monstrously transforming it into fear and suspicion and turning that fear into the campaign slogan of three elections? How dare you -- or those around you -- ever "spin" 9/11?
Just as the terrorists have succeeded -- are still succeeding -- as long as there is no memorial and no construction here at Ground Zero.
So, too, have they succeeded, and are still succeeding as long as this government uses 9/11 as a wedge to pit Americans against Americans.
This is an odd point to cite a television program, especially one from March of 1960. But as Disney's continuing sell-out of the truth (and this country) suggests, even television programs can be powerful things.
And long ago, a series called "The Twilight Zone" broadcast a riveting episode entitled "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street."
In brief: a meteor sparks rumors of an invasion by extra-terrestrials disguised as humans. The electricity goes out. A neighbor pleads for calm. Suddenly his car -- and only his car -- starts. Someone suggests he must be the alien. Then another man's lights go on. As charges and suspicion and panic overtake the street, guns are inevitably produced. An "alien" is shot -- but he turns out to be just another neighbor, returning from going for help. The camera pulls back to a near-by hill, where two extra-terrestrials are seen manipulating a small device that can jam electricity. The veteran tells his novice that there's no need to actually attack, that you just turn off a few of the human machines and then, "they pick the most dangerous enemy they can find, and it's themselves."
And then, in perhaps his finest piece of writing, Rod Serling sums it up with words of remarkable prescience, given where we find ourselves tonight: "The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices, to be found only in the minds of men.
"For the record, prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy, and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all its own -- for the children, and the children yet unborn."
When those who dissent are told time and time again -- as we will be, if not tonight by the President, then tomorrow by his portable public chorus -- that he is preserving our freedom, but that if we use any of it, we are somehow un-American...When we are scolded, that if we merely question, we have "forgotten the lessons of 9/11"... look into this empty space behind me and the bi-partisanship upon which this administration also did not build, and tell me:
Who has left this hole in the ground?
We have not forgotten, Mr. President.
You have.
May this country forgive you. - Anonymous said...
-
hello
the problem is that the truth will never come out..
Well, anyways i really enjoyed reading your blog. In fact If I were you I would go to http://www.autosurfmonster.com and submit this blog so thousands of tohers can see it for free. I look forward to all the updates. thanks again.
Jessica
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
:-)
And the wacky leeks, garlic and kale worked too. It did for me anyway... I reckon Mr Doris was humouring me and the kids don't even bother but I don't care! Yum yum!
PS word verification = fffuff
Gosh this technology thing really blows me away!
So...the chops sound nice. Hope you and Mr Doris enjoyed them. And the wine - a big stereophonic slurp!
How did you record that soundfile thingy hon?
Jo
You're the only person yet today who sounded like I heard in my head as I read the posts. Being the only one who wasn't nervous (lovely.... measured, even tones) I'm guessing you had to do a fair bit of public speaking at some point or another.
It is a case of phoning the States! I had trouble connecting and then it flaffed me around a bit but when the bug gets you, you just perservere! And it was actually fun.
However, I am stil thinking about the whole "listening to one's own voice" thing. I feel so yucky about my own voice and can't imagine it is how Ella describes. I think I'd like to come back to that in a bit more depth.
But no leftovers - even better still!
And if everyone came round then I'd love to cook up a big dinner with all the trimmings. Or maybe a wonderful buffet with all sorts of treats.
For some reason I am not so good on the puddings though I love them. (LOL except for Tiramisu - I can do that one but have not yet done it for visitors.) My real pleasure is cooking vegetables to perfection and I suppose the "boring" but substantial stuff. I like using quality meat and generally putting love into the food. I love it when you can sit back feeling refreshed, satiated and gorgeously full. Not overstuffed though! Any takers? ;-)
Have a great day!
Peace..............
Now, whenever I read your posts I'll be seeing my friend's face... and wondering what the hell she's doing posting on your blog.
When video blogger gets up and running, I do hope you'll reprise this post, and remake that delicious meal.
You have a lovely lovely voice...
This just warms me so much.
(I will be back a few times, writing out the recipe)