Saturday, October 29, 2005
Remember the National Geographic's Genographic Project? Well, last weekend I signed up. To my surprise the kit (mouth swabs, return envelope, maps, DVD, etc.) arrived yesterday—I'd been expecting it to take a couple more weeks. I've got everything packed up now for return to the testing centre, so I should know the migratory history of my Y-chromosome in 4–6 weeks. This should scientifically confirm my Neanderthal heritage!
Anyway, must dash—I'm off to London for a spot of light roistering with a college chum.
Anyway, must dash—I'm off to London for a spot of light roistering with a college chum.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
- Beavers are being reintroduced to the UK, 500 years after they were hunted to extinction for their fur. Six European beavers are to be released on an estate in Gloucestershire
Thursday, October 20, 2005
- The city of Liverpool has officially apologised for flooding the north Wales valley of Tryweryn in 1965 to supply water for the city.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
I'm a very happy Wombat today. Last night I asked L to marry me, and she said yes! 
So now it's all go with wedding plans.
So now it's all go with wedding plans.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Today's the day Iraqis vote on their draft constitution. If it's passed, Iraq will be defined as a federal state with the likelihood of eventual separation for the Kurds and the possibility of the same for the Shi’ites. If it's rejected, the National Assembly will be dissolved and elections for a new interim parliament will have to be held. They will then have to write another draft constitution, to go before another referendum by October 2006. Since our Glorious Leader and his master (Allah be merciful upon their souls!) have stated that they don't want Iraq to be split up, and since they want Iraq to have a normal government as soon as possible, this is clearly a lose-lose situation for them. I thoroughly expect, however, to hear ministers on the news telling us that this is a ‘victory for democracy’ whichever way it goes...
And, talking of ministers on the news, I heard Margaret Hodge (‘Minister of State at the Department for Work & Pensions with responsibility for Work’) this morning, proposing that all new immigrants to Britain should be made to learn English. This would be in addition to saluting the Union Jack and singing a hymn of praise to our Gracious Tony presumably. Anyway, her justification for this policy was that English is the language of this country. WTF?! There are over half a million Welsh speakers who might beg to differ. If only the the British had had such a policy during the period of Anglo-Saxon ‘immigration’...
And, talking of ministers on the news, I heard Margaret Hodge (‘Minister of State at the Department for Work & Pensions with responsibility for Work’) this morning, proposing that all new immigrants to Britain should be made to learn English. This would be in addition to saluting the Union Jack and singing a hymn of praise to our Gracious Tony presumably. Anyway, her justification for this policy was that English is the language of this country. WTF?! There are over half a million Welsh speakers who might beg to differ. If only the the British had had such a policy during the period of Anglo-Saxon ‘immigration’...
Thursday, October 13, 2005
I can breathe again!
Finally, I have a job! And not just any job, but an exciting one. 
I'm now an official Web Developer. Hee hee.
[Edit: title corrected (generally an infinitive is better with a modal verb than a noun...)]
I'm now an official Web Developer. Hee hee. [Edit: title corrected (generally an infinitive is better with a modal verb than a noun...)]
- Another tornado has struck Birmingham under a mile from the scene of the one earlier this summer
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
- The Welsh FA is warning clubs to be wary of a mystery Italian, who has been turning up at clubs, claiming to be on an exchange organised by the Italian FA
Monday, October 10, 2005
- Lynx bones discovered in a cave near Settle have been carbon-dated to 1500 years ago, 2500 years later than the conventional date for lynx extinction in Britain
- Geoff Jones has created a wiki index of blogs emanating from people living and or working in Cambridge
Saturday, October 08, 2005
- Helen Kelly, 25, was hit as shots were fired in a gang feud after last November's Urban Music Awards in London. The underwiring in her bra stopped the bullet doing serious damage
- David Frost is to appear on al-Jazeera International, the pan-Arab news network's new English-language channel, due to be launched next spring
Monday, October 03, 2005
Tragedy of Epic Proportions
Another one from Pater:
Donald Rumsfeld is giving the President his daily briefing. He concludes by saying: ‘Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed in an accident.’
‘OH NO!’ the President exclaims, ‘That's terrible!’ Tears form in his eyes, he sobs, then slumps forward.
His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands. Finally, the President looks up and asks..........
‘How many is a Brazillion??!’
Donald Rumsfeld is giving the President his daily briefing. He concludes by saying: ‘Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed in an accident.’
‘OH NO!’ the President exclaims, ‘That's terrible!’ Tears form in his eyes, he sobs, then slumps forward.
His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands. Finally, the President looks up and asks..........
‘How many is a Brazillion??!’
