http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/
Monday, 16 March 2009
Mental decline
So mental decline could begin as early as 27? Well that explains a lot then!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7945569.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/
Monday, 9 March 2009
Why The Simpson's are great
I have always loved The Simpson's, but I have never really watched The Simpson's with any form of commitment, maybe because it is always on or maybe it is because it is always on slightly earlier and so I am not always home in time, whatever. However with the help of one of the greatest invention ever, Tivo/DVR, I now have Simpson's recorded and whenever I am feeling low or I want to watch some fun TV I can always watch an episode of The Simpson's and I can fast forward the annoying commercial breaks!
With such great story lines as below (courtesy of The Simpson's website), it is amazing to me that The Simpson's is on at all, is on so early and is on the Fox Network, they are truly subversive but they do it in the best way possible; with humour and limited offence caused. So much TV nowadays tries to bend over backwards to appeal to the lowest common denominator and is so bland, I just love the fact that The Simpson's continue to provide protest and humour, and what is truly amazing it has been doing so for 20 years. The Simpson's are great, they are America's first family!
Bart mangled banner: When Bart accidentally moons the American flag and Marge accidentally says on national television that all of Springfield hates America, the Simpson family is arrested for high treason and sent to Alcatraz. They escape from prison and as they swim to shore, a French ship who takes them to France where they are free to hate Americans picks them up. Although France is lovely, they miss home and decide to return to America as immigrants.
The Monkey Suit: After visiting an evolution exhibit, Ned Flanders pushes Mayor Quimby to appoint Reverend Lovejoy as a "Morality Czar" in charge of spreading the theory of creationism. Darwin's theories are quickly outlawed and Lisa finds herself as the only supporter of the scientific theory. Lisa is later arrested for holding secret evolution classes and is forced to defend her beliefs in front of a judge. In the 11th hour, Marge stumbles across one of Lisa's textbooks, changes her view and helps her daughter to call Ned Flanders to the stand. Homer's antics cause Ned to crack under pressure and call Homer an ape which leads the judge to believe that Homer resembles the missing link that the prosecutors were basing their argument and the case falls apart.
International Women's Day
Sadly I only realised that it was International Women's Day late yesterday, but hopefully next year I will remember it and celebrate the day, March 8!
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Thank a feminist!
The following has been stuck on the wall next to my desk at work for the last couple of years – I have often quoted parts of it when talking to friends who think that feminism is nothing to do with them (both male and female friends).
I find it quite frustrating because feminism is actually fundamentally about basic human rights and freedoms, far more then most people realise – and feminism impacts on everyone all the time. Every day we need to thank feminists for the fact that our generation lives the way it does!
If…
... you can vote, thank a feminist.
... you get paid as much as men doing the same job, thank a feminist.
... you went to college instead of being expected to quit after high school so your brothers could go because "You'll just get married anyway," thank a feminist.
... you can apply for any job, not just "women's work," thank a feminist.
... you can get or give birth control information without going to jail, thank a feminist.
... your doctor, lawyer, pastor, judge or legislator is a woman, thank a feminist.
... you play an organised sport, thank a feminist.
... you can wear trousers without being excommunicated from your church/community or run out of town, thank a feminist.
... your boss isn't allowed to pressure you to sleep with him, thank a feminist.
... you get raped and the trial isn't about your hemline or your previous boyfriends, thank a feminist.
... you start a small business and can get a loan using only your name and credit history, thank a feminist.
... you are on trial and are allowed to testify in your own defence, thank a feminist.
... you own property that is solely yours, thank a feminist.
... you have the right to your own salary even if you are married or have a male relative, thank a feminist.
... you get custody of your children following divorce or separation, thank a feminist.
... you get a voice in the raising and care of your children instead of them being completely controlled by the husband/father, thank a feminist.
... your husband beats you and it is illegal and the police stop him instead of lecturing you on better wifely behaviour, thank a feminist.
... you are granted a degree after attending college instead of a certificate of completion, thank a feminist.
... you can breast feed your baby discreetly in a public place and not be arrested, thank a feminist.
... you marry and your civil human rights do not disappear into your husband's rights, thank a feminist.
... you have the right to refuse sex with your husband, thank a feminist.
... you have the right to keep your medical records confidential from the men in your family, thank a feminist.
... you have the right to read the books you want, thank a feminist.
... you can testify in court about crimes or wrongs your husband has committed, thank a feminist.
... you can choose to be a mother or not a mother in your own time not at the dictates of a husband or rapist, thank a feminist.
... you can look forward to a lifespan of 80 years instead of dying in your 20s from unlimited childbirth, thank a feminist.
... you can see yourself as a full, adult human being instead of a minor who needs to be controlled by a man, thank a feminist.
I find it quite frustrating because feminism is actually fundamentally about basic human rights and freedoms, far more then most people realise – and feminism impacts on everyone all the time. Every day we need to thank feminists for the fact that our generation lives the way it does!
If…
... you can vote, thank a feminist.
... you get paid as much as men doing the same job, thank a feminist.
... you went to college instead of being expected to quit after high school so your brothers could go because "You'll just get married anyway," thank a feminist.
... you can apply for any job, not just "women's work," thank a feminist.
... you can get or give birth control information without going to jail, thank a feminist.
... your doctor, lawyer, pastor, judge or legislator is a woman, thank a feminist.
... you play an organised sport, thank a feminist.
... you can wear trousers without being excommunicated from your church/community or run out of town, thank a feminist.
... your boss isn't allowed to pressure you to sleep with him, thank a feminist.
... you get raped and the trial isn't about your hemline or your previous boyfriends, thank a feminist.
... you start a small business and can get a loan using only your name and credit history, thank a feminist.
... you are on trial and are allowed to testify in your own defence, thank a feminist.
... you own property that is solely yours, thank a feminist.
... you have the right to your own salary even if you are married or have a male relative, thank a feminist.
... you get custody of your children following divorce or separation, thank a feminist.
... you get a voice in the raising and care of your children instead of them being completely controlled by the husband/father, thank a feminist.
... your husband beats you and it is illegal and the police stop him instead of lecturing you on better wifely behaviour, thank a feminist.
... you are granted a degree after attending college instead of a certificate of completion, thank a feminist.
... you can breast feed your baby discreetly in a public place and not be arrested, thank a feminist.
... you marry and your civil human rights do not disappear into your husband's rights, thank a feminist.
... you have the right to refuse sex with your husband, thank a feminist.
... you have the right to keep your medical records confidential from the men in your family, thank a feminist.
... you have the right to read the books you want, thank a feminist.
... you can testify in court about crimes or wrongs your husband has committed, thank a feminist.
... you can choose to be a mother or not a mother in your own time not at the dictates of a husband or rapist, thank a feminist.
... you can look forward to a lifespan of 80 years instead of dying in your 20s from unlimited childbirth, thank a feminist.
... you can see yourself as a full, adult human being instead of a minor who needs to be controlled by a man, thank a feminist.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Do we need to wash the bottles when we recycle them?
I have always wondered about this questions and I have also always worried about that lime in the corona bottle so it was good to read this article in Slate.com. Now if could we could get our apartment association to agree to recycle, then we would not have to drive to our friends house to use his recycle bin every couple of weeks! Sounds hilarious but it is what we have to do!
We try to reduce our packaging, they just don't make it all that easy for you, for example I am always trying to use my re-usable bag, once I was in a big store, and the lady at the checkout tore a plastic carrier bag out and started packing my purchases into the plastic carrier bag, despite me having said twice I had my own bag. She finally got it, took the stuff out of the plastic carrier bag and went to put it in my re-usable bag. She then took the plastic carrier bag and tossed it in her bin. I was horrified and spent another two minutes explaining the concept to her, she then looked at me, a light flickered, and she said, "oh you recycle!" I wanted to hug her in gratitude, she had finally got it! It takes a while, but with a little patience they might just get it. That day the people behind me at the checkout loved me, but it was worth it, just to get through to one person. I appreciate it will take a lot more, but when even the easy stuff is so hard for so many, these minor achievements are worth the effort - for me anyway.
We try to reduce our packaging, they just don't make it all that easy for you, for example I am always trying to use my re-usable bag, once I was in a big store, and the lady at the checkout tore a plastic carrier bag out and started packing my purchases into the plastic carrier bag, despite me having said twice I had my own bag. She finally got it, took the stuff out of the plastic carrier bag and went to put it in my re-usable bag. She then took the plastic carrier bag and tossed it in her bin. I was horrified and spent another two minutes explaining the concept to her, she then looked at me, a light flickered, and she said, "oh you recycle!" I wanted to hug her in gratitude, she had finally got it! It takes a while, but with a little patience they might just get it. That day the people behind me at the checkout loved me, but it was worth it, just to get through to one person. I appreciate it will take a lot more, but when even the easy stuff is so hard for so many, these minor achievements are worth the effort - for me anyway.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Atheist Bus Campaign
Entering the fray by way of starting a religious discussion can be hazardous, especially for those who may not have a strong faith in one of the worlds more established religions. I really like the Atheist Bus Campaign, the money raised and the exposure suggests quite a few other people also like this idea.
I love that fact that they decided to err on the side of caution and stick with "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life" although I think prefer the American one, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake" and it is not because I live in America now or maybe it is because I do?
I also wonder why Australia is the only place without, is it a sign? But from whom and why?
I think atheists should try and avoid becoming dogmatic, trenched and inflexible. Tolerance is probably always the safe option. Which is another reason why I like this campaign, it gets its point across without being offensive, hateful or dogmatic it is I believe lighthearted and positive.
I love that fact that they decided to err on the side of caution and stick with "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life" although I think prefer the American one, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake" and it is not because I live in America now or maybe it is because I do?
I also wonder why Australia is the only place without, is it a sign? But from whom and why?
I think atheists should try and avoid becoming dogmatic, trenched and inflexible. Tolerance is probably always the safe option. Which is another reason why I like this campaign, it gets its point across without being offensive, hateful or dogmatic it is I believe lighthearted and positive.
Friday, 23 January 2009
a day off the booze?
this article in the Indy is quite interesting - i am not sure where I stand on the daily versus weekly limits, but I think that its so obvious that our bodies need a break from alcohol that anyone with common sense will try and incorporate a break into their week. But the truth is its not always so easy to do! thats why we should try to do it.
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