30th June 2012 The Squirrel Who Thinks He's A Cat

A baby squirrel has been adopted by a cat called Tita, and become best friends with her kitten. The unlikely pals cuddle up together with "mum" Tita in Envigado, near Medellin,
Colombia.

The two baby animals suckle on Tita's milk, scamper about the house and even share a cuddle from time to time.

The squirrel was rescued by Ruben Gaviria who found him injured in a local park. He has been nursing the little rodent back to health with the help of his feline companions.

Tags: cat, squirrel

Prev: 30th June 2012 Dancing With Crutches (With Video)

30th June 2012 Tin Cars by A True Artist

People from Broken Hill will remember from their younger days this Icon of the City. He used to go to all the public functions...especially the picture theatres. And always carried a Sugar Bag to collect empty bottles and cans.


His name was Albert (Tapper) Torney Everyone thought he was a bit eccentric and kids would tease and hassle him. But it was discovered he was very talented and only sold the empty bottles and some of the cans.


After he died in 1998 (aged 86) His large collection of Model Cars he made from the Aluminum Cans was discovered. This goes to prove..."You Shouldn't Judge A Book by its Cover", or a Sculptor by his sugar bag.

Here are some of his collection of tin cars ---

30th June 2012 Dancing With Crutches (With Video)

The Canadian company of contemporary dance is presenting an unusual spectacle in El Mercat de Las Flors, Barcelona. What is unusual is the very special choreography, demonstrating the amazing flexibility & extreme limits a human body can achieve. The 10 dancers all dance with harnesses, walking sticks, canes, rods and crutches.

With music of Louis Dufort and Johann Sebastian, choreography and directed by Marie Chouniard, will be on for 3 days, as part of the Grec Festival of Barcelona.

This reminds me of another dance several years ago, one of the most unforgettable, the most beautiful and the most emotional performed by 2 Chinese dancers. You have to see to believe it. I am quite sure you will enjoy the video I put below.

30th June 2012 Maturity - Handled With Care

As I mature ...

* I've learned that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.

* I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in.

* I've learned that one good turn gets most of the blankets.

* I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people are just jackasses.

* I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.

* I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to others -- they are more screwed up than you think.

* I've learned that depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

* I've learned that it is not what you wear; it is how you take it off.

* I've learned that you can keep vomiting long after you think you're finished.

* I've learned to not sweat the petty things, and not pet the sweaty things.

* I've learned that ex's are like fungus, which keeps coming back.

* I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are celebrities.

* I've learned age is a very high price to pay for maturity.

* I've learned that artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

* Finally, I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity - I enjoy it!

Tags: insanity, maturity

Prev: 29th June 2012 Weird Sense Of Humour

29th June 2012 Weird Sense Of Humour

** I have kleptomania, but when it gets bad, I take something for it.

** Follow your dreams. Except that one where you're naked in church.

** Sometimes too much to drink isn't enough.

** Kinky is using a feather. Perverted is using the whole chicken.

** Heaven is where the police are British, The chefs are Italian, The mechanics are German, The lovers are French, an d it's all organized by the Swiss.

** Hell is where the police are German, the chefs are British, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss and

it's all organised by Italians.

** My short term memory is not as sharp as it used to be. Also my short term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.

** Welcome to Utah. Set your watch back 20 years.

** A Bartender is just a pharmacist with a limited inventory.

** I maybe schizophrenic, but at least we have each other.

** I am a nobody. Nobody is perfect. Therefore I am perfect.

** Kentucky, five million people, fifteen last names.

** I am not your type. I am not inflatable.

** Dyslexics have more Nuf.

** Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch.

** Reality is only an illusion that occurs due to a lack of alcohol.

** Red meat is not bad for you. Fuzzy green meat is bad for you.

** I am having an out-of-money experience.

** Don't sweat the petty things. Don't pet the sweaty things.

** Corduroy pillows are making headlines!

** I want to die while asleep like my grandfather, not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.

** I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

In Memoriam With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person, which almost went unnoticed last week. Larry LaPrise, the man who wrote "The Hokey Pokey", died peacefully at age 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started.

Tags: weirdhumour

Prev: 29th June 2012 Someone Loves Me

29th June 2012 Someone Loves Me

Someone Loves Me ~

I wouldn't like to meet this dog, but I bet it's someone's beloved pet.

I think you'd either love or hate this dog picture

Laddie & Eddie ~

I caught on TV news that on Monday, and had a glimpse of Uggie, one of the protagonist (definitely) that appeared in the Oscar winning film 'The Artist', shown with his paws in the cement and became the first ever dog star reaching the career height of being immortalized in Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

I began to wonder what exactly are the qualities any star must possess as well as having so demonstrated to win the honour. I do think Uggie was wonderful as 'actor' in that film, but so was Laddie in the old movies and Eddie in the TV series 'Frazier', and several other canines in other programmes. Why hadn't any of them won anything?

Tags: laddie, eddie, uggie

Prev: 28th June 2012 The Most Proclaimed & Acclaimed Orgasm

28th June 2012 The Most Proclaimed & Acclaimed Orgasm

I ought to add also the most publicised, the most memorable and certainly my favourite orgasm, on the movie screen I mean. Everyone would have heard by now that Nora Ephron had just passed away at the age of 71, defeated by Leukaemia.

It was Nora Ephron, journalist and cinematic script writer who, after a decade regularly working on films and television, created what's to be her most outstanding success, the film script of 'When Harry meets Sally', with the most celebrated sex scene without sex like the orgasm of Meg Ryan in a restaurant, to show her table companion (Billy Crystal), how a woman can fake or simulate an sexual orgasm with no problem at all, between mouthfuls of sandwich. With the wonderful added punch-line of another woman in the same restaurant, right after the orgasmic exhibition, asking the waiter to bring her the same food Meg Ryan had. 

That scene of hers wraps up the woman's cunning, or kindness depending on how you view it, to preserve the male pride, fulfilling his macho fantasy of being a powerful, competent and ideal lover; and the woman's wisdom and resilience, or resignation, feigning the orgasm.

 

Throughout the ages, women had always been striving to complete multitude of rolls in domestic as well as professional fields. To be the red hot lover in bed, seductive, eager and responsive, easily pleased and showed her appreciation with screaming pleasure. She is also expected to be an ideal housewife, providing a clean, comfortable and cosy home for all the family, combining often with a full time job, never forgets to attend the parents day meetings with the teachers of the children, makes the best meat loaf and Angels' cake just like grandma's, and able to stretch the tight budget like a magician so no family member is short of anything.

Little wonder she can't resist the request to the waiter of the restaurant to bring her the same food that was served to Meg Ryan. We all need a little help at times, and some optimism to cope. Even feigning it.

Tags: orgasm, noraephron

Prev: 28th June 2012 Would You Call This A Joke?

28th June 2012 Would You Call This A Joke?

This is supposed to be a funny-ha-ha joke. I don't find it either funny or a joke. Do you?

A man is taking a walk in Central park in New York. Suddenly he sees a little girl being attacked by a pit bull dog. He runs over and starts fighting with the dog. He succeeds in killing the dog and saving the girl's life. 

A policeman who was watching the scene walks over and says, 'You are a hero, tomorrow you can read it in all the newspapers, 'Brave New Yorker saves the life of little girl'. 

The man says, 'But I am not a New Yorker!'

'Oh ,then it will say in newspapers in the morning, "Brave American saves life of little girl",' the policeman answers. 

'But I am not an American either!' says the man. 

'Oh, what are you then?'
'The man says: - 'I am a Saudi!' 
 
The next day the newspapers says, 'Islamic extremist kills innocent American dog.' 

Tags: dog, islamicextremist

Prev: 28th June 2012 A Cat's Diary

28th June 2012 A Cat's Diary

Day 84 of my captivity.

My captors continued to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from clawing the furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another house plant.

Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded. Maybe I should try this at the top of the stairs.

 

In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair. I must try this on their bed.

Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body in an attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little kitty cat I was. This is not working according to plan.

 

There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary confinement throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the food. More important, I overheard that my confinement was due to my powers of inducing something called "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit.

 

The bird, on the other hand, has got to be an informant. He speaks with them regularly, and I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. But I can wait.

It's only a matter of time.

Tags: cat, diary

Prev: 27th June 2012 How Can You Tell When Someone Is An Idiot?

27th June 2012 How Can You Tell When Someone Is An Idiot?

Clear signs that He is an idiot ~

** Sends a fax with a postage stamp on it.

** Tries to drown a fish in water.

** Trips over a cordless phone.

** Thinks socialism means partying.

** Studies for a blood test and fails.

** Takes a ruler to bed to see how long he slept.

** Sells the car for gas money.

** Misses the 44 bus, and takes the 22 twice instead.

** Drives to the airport and sees a sign that said, "Airport left", he turns around and goes home.

If you are still not sure, here are some more examples: ~

** Postman: I have had to walk 5 miles to deliver this packet.

He: Why did walk so far? You could have posted it.

** He visits an art gallery: I suppose this horrible looking thing is what you call modern art?

Art dealer: I beg your pardon sir, that is a mirror.

** He goes into the kitchen and opens the cookie jar. He looks inside and closes it. His wife observes the whole episode and says nothing. Again He enters the kitchen and does the same thing.

His wife asks: ' Why are you doing that?'

He replies, 'The Doctor told me to check my sugar level regularly.'

** There were eleven people hanging onto a rope which was hanging from a from an aeroplane. Ten were Sardar, and one was a girl. They all decided that one person should get off because if they didn't, then the rope would break and everyone would die.

No one could decide who should go, so finally the girl said, 'I'll get off,' and she made a really moving speech.

All of the men started immediately applauding ... Ahh!

** He went into The Bank of India and asked to open a current account. The cashier was surprised when He left the building saying he would return after he had been to Delhi.

When asked why he was visiting Delhi, he retorted that the application form said: 'Got be filled in CAPITAL.'

** He was filling up application form for a job, but was not sure as to what to put in the column "Salary Expected".

After much thought he wrote : Yes, please.

** He: 'I haven't slept all night in the train.'

Friend:' Why?'

He:' I had an upper berth.'

Friend: 'Why didn't you exchange it?'

He: There was nobody in the lower bunk to change it with.

 

Tags: idiot

Prev: 27th June 2012 Friends Of The Weather

27th June 2012 Friends Of The Weather

It has been commented by fellow bloggers that I covered quite a range of different themes in my Blogs. I do so to clear my mind of the jumbled thoughts that keep piling up, often mixed & tangled that need periodic deleting or filing away. I guess the Blog serves the purpose of the latter.

That made me think of the theme which occurs to most people frequently or even daily, in any greeting or meeting between 'friends of the weather' I call them. The way they always begin any conversation by talking about the weather. Especially the English. It's almost like the obligatory beginning of any casual conversation with friends, & an unwritten rule for ice breaking with strangers. It works well I must admit but I seldom do if not never. What's the point when 2 neighbours meet in the same street & start telling each other about the weather you both under & well aware of? In the net where cyber friends could be anywhere in the world, the need for anyone to know how the weather is for me in Spain or where they are in America, Australia or wherever, is not exactly something either is dead interested in knowing. Unless you are about to visit each other.

 

After a good 10 minutes moaning, comparing & discussing the weather, just when you think it's not too rude to change the subject to finally say " So, how have you been doing?", not suspecting, that would just open the door for a 3 quarter hour detailed account of his friend's poor sister-in-law's cousin's fiance's untimely broken ankle ... while you try hard to think whether you have ever even met that friend, let alone the long chain of people attached to him.

There's also the very caring, very solicitous friend, who wishes to know EVERYTHING, what you did, been doing, will do ... covering the past 6 months & the next 6 to come.

 
Or the one who insists, each & every time you meet, that " We simply must get together to have some dinner or something. I'll call you" then hurried off, never to be heard of again, until the next time you meet, to repeat the same conversation all over, for the 5th year! That kind of friends are usually women, while men would try to corner you every chance they get to invite you out for 'dinner. That's okay if some of them don't have in mind the desert being the kind the waiter brings to the table. 

One day when you just recovered from a dreadful cold that kept you in bed for a whole week, now still with streaming eyes & a red nose, there would be this very warm & charming friend who always greets you with a huge smile, & squealed : " Mine, don't you look gorgeous! Love your hair! Oh, new blouse too, lovely!" when you hadn't washed your hair for a week & she had said the same thing when she last saw the blouse 2 years ago!

People don't seem to really communicate any more except one or double liners by occasional email. Or they do talk together but not exactly say anything! Or say things just to fill the awkward silence, without meaning them!

 

I am reluctant to, but I might have to join the majority after all, if I want to have some conversation with people. Play safe, start with the weather, If you are interested, it's a bit cloudy today in Roses, but the sun did come up this morning, then disappeared, then back again, and now... hell, I am just no good at this! Who am I to try to compete with the Weather Gent / Lady?

Tags: conversation, friends, weather

Prev: 26th June 2012 Massacre Of Talent

26th June 2012 Massacre Of Talent

Nearly everyday, I discovered, to my dismay, the fact that I am rather ignorant in many things informative, educational, or simply interesting. On the other hand, I can also choose to look at it in a more positive way, that everyday I discover and learn something new, informative, educational, or simply interesting. Same fact, viewed in different prospective. Absolutely nobody can know everything anyway.

 

Today I discovered by chance a name, an important name that should have been well regarded and remembered by everyone but is all but forgotten. In my case, I confess that I have certainly never even heard of Nikola Tesla. A true genius, brilliant scientist and inventor. He discovered alternative current, the first to send electromagnetic waves at a distance, I.e. origin of wireless transmission; the authentic inventor of the X-Ray, not Marconi, of television, the X-rays of radar, the fluorescence, of microwave, of WiFi, of tachometer of the motor induction of vehicles, even the first prototype of airplanes taking off vertically. Impressive list of talents and accomplished achievements isn't it? He died in 1943 in New York, as destitute indigent.

In his life time, he was systematically looted, robbed, belittled, exploited by large industries, the all powerful Westinghouse amongst others. He invented but the others obtained the patents, including Edison who was horrendously jealous of him, continuously making his existence bitter, sabotaged his nomination to the Nobel of Physics, twice. Since then, intellects and scientists all over the world had come out from silence and anonymity advancing from the stepping stone of the most important labour of Nikola Tesla.

 

It's a good job that the Spanish TVE-1 showed this as homage in their weekly programme 'Informe Semanal' to the most deserved forefather of such important scientific discoveries; better late than never. I only came upon it by chance, and sincerely hope I had remembered the mentioned facts right; I was too busy watching the programme and absorbing the details to take notes, didn't occurred to me at the time to write a Blog about it.

 

Tags: scientist, nickolatesla, inventor

Prev: 25th June 2012 'Tuangou', A New Way Of Shopping

25th June 2012 'Tuangou', A New Way Of Shopping

(I posted this soon after I first started blogging,in Yahoo's 360,towards the end of 2007. Naturally many things have since changed or even become obsolete, but I feel that perhaps the denominated 'Tuangou' shopping still makes a lot of sense and I just wonder whether it had continued to flourish, improved further, or what ...)

 

The phenomenal " tuangou " started in China less than a year ago has now caught on in a big way in Spain. The word means " Group Purchase " in Chinese. The idea or system works in several people, whatever the number, who want to buy the same product or Service on line to get together as a group, so as to get a considerable discount for themselves & a big sale for the suppliers.

It started off originally in China when a group of people met up at the agreed hour in the shop that sells domestic appliances, & the selected spokesman asked for a substantial discount for a purchase of 27 TV sets & 19 washing machines. The director of the establishment looked puzzled & stunned for just a brief moment, then the decision was made, a quick one, when he realised that he was going to make the biggest sale in his life at that very instant. 35% was granted. In most cases, according to the report, the commodity or service could result in 30% to even up to 70% cheaper.

Through word of mouth & with instant Internet connection, this " tuangou" has been multiplying in both number of people taking part as well as establishments claiming happily that they are now doing more " wholesale " than retail. The best part is, everybody is happy. A win win system.

Mr, OUyang Jixing, director of the pioneer project, & the company on line as : 020tgw.Com said that the biggest registered group has 500 people, with 10,000 having joined this iniciative in 6 months.

The possibilities are endless. Buyers organised pre-agreements with shops, transportation, deliveries, & companies responding readily include Ikea for example. From cosmetics to clothing, school & hospital uniforms, Household appliances, furniture..... The added advantage is that these discounts are all the year round, no need for buyers to wait for summer sale, end of the line sale, etc.

In Spain, Mr. Alfonso Belmonte, based in Murcia, was the first to establish the web site : www.tuangou.es 4 months into the business, instant success as predicted, has such sales in many fields, gymnasium membership, driving schools, travel agencies, including even apartments in newly built blocks. The latter considered a real boost to revitalize the declining property market.

Although this concept is not exactly new as several similar systems have been operating on line, like www.ventee-privee.com, www.buyvip.com, www.privalia.com, or www.dreivip.com But Belmonte insists that the " tuangou " is different, in that they are not exactly dealing in virtual shopping, where customers often have doubts about reliability, quality, security issues, but it's " physical " shopping directly through traditional distribution channels or points, just like shops in the street, no waiting for deliveries. One can also compare with group members & exchange experiences, to narrow down to the best product in the best shop with the highest discount.

However, there are rules & limits. Recently in China, luxury firms like Estee Lauder & Cartier, had to keep back prospective customers at their doors, explaining that all their prices are firmly fixed, no concessions. But, now this is interesting, they agreed to " negotiate beforehand, not automatically. " I translate that to be " yes, discounts, but prearranged."

Jean de la Fontaine, the famous French writer & poet said: " Any power, if not based on team effort, is weak ."

 

Tags: tuangoushopping, teampower

Prev: 25th June 2012 Truth, Lie, Hypocrisy, Flattery

25th June 2012 Truth, Lie, Hypocrisy, Flattery

Somebody reminded me today a popular saying: " If you can't find anything nice to say about someone, say nothing". I am very familiar with this of course, and most of the time I try to do just that. I am not as a rule a very talkative person anyway, Unless I am with someone in a conversation on subjects we are both extremely enthusiastic about.

 

I have to confess that I am not always too willing to obey that particular rule or guideline. I conduct my life with the firm conviction that I should always be honest, frank & truthful to others and, most of all, to myself. I hate lies, hypocrisy & flattery. That's not to say I have never lied in my life. Wouldn't that have been the biggest lie in the world anyone could ever told?

 

If I were proposed a 2nd date when I hated the 1st, I would likely say I was too busy or I didn't think it would ever work, rather than being brutally blunt that I'd rather die first! I would never ever pretend to be something or someone I am not, & I find it most annoying when someone gives me obviously insincere flattery. Therefore I myself would not give one. That's the time I would rather keep silent than to say anything.

 

In my opinion it's not always a good idea to keep silent about everything though. The ambiguous silence would accumulate misunderstandings, mistrust or even resentment over a period of time, which would take up so much space in the heart leaving no room for love & respect. On a larger spectrum, a political uproar or worst.

 

I got myself into trouble more than a few times with my principles. Somebody may not accept my little white lie, nor allow me to keep quiet for instance. Pressed hard for a response I would eventually own up but, alas, not everyone likes to hear or face the truth.

 

I have over the years learned to accept that too. 

 

Tags: hypocrisy, flattery, lie, truth

Prev: 24th June 2012 The Travelogue I Started Writing ...

24th June 2012 The Travelogue I Started Writing ...

There was a time when I used to travel a lot, mainly for work, nearly more often away somewhere than in my hometown. After a while, I thought of starting a travelogue to keep a record of all those marvellous new countries I visited, the people I met, new scenes, culture, traditions, languages, food ... I thought it would be a shame to let time dim the lovely memories of all such new found knowledge and pleasure.

So I started jotting down first the dates of each trip, followed by names of places visited, country, city & even, or especially, those of any little villages out in the sticks, way out of touristic areas; names of each hotel & restaurant with their locations, any particular events or festivities I had witnessed or participated, any interesting or unexpected occurrences or personal experience. Always with a brief comment, or sometimes not so brief; my own observation or impression of each place, etc. I put down my own grading of each hotel, only the ones I liked & why I did. And the restaurants of course. I even wrote down any special food I tried, with detailed descriptions. I collected cards of hotels, restaurants, galleries & museums, scribbled little notes at the back of each to be entered into the travelogue later.

 

Then with my modelling assignments often came up with hardly enough time to pack my bags, & the accumulated work of my model agency & my charm school to clear up upon my return, the travel notebook got neglected, the promised made to myself that I would write later or when I was less busy forgotten. Before I realized, I had left it too long & I was several trips behind already to remember the details, or not sure whether I'd got the names or places mixed up or mistakenly matched up with the events. I was then always too busy.

Changing later to live in 4 different countries didn't help. Many little notes got mixed up or lost through all that cross country moving. My travelogue died a premature death after a couple of years.

 

Now I got all the time in the world but, alas, no more offers of paid trips!

Tags: travelogue, laketahoe

Prev: 23rd June 2012 Sunday Lunch On Saturday

23rd June 2012 Sunday Lunch For Saturday

Even though my life in Spain has been rather laid back, by choice, in the recent years, I have, for no particular reason, kept a die-hard habit of having an extra special midday meal for Sunday lunch. This also happens to fit in with the Spanish custom, that the main meal of the day is lunch not dinner. There's hardly any difference, as the Spanish are almost as obsessed with food as the Chinese are, & their dinners are nearly as huge as their lunch; same as the Chinese. The only significant difference between the Spanish & the Chinese being that we, the latter, at least the majority, will place food on top of almost everything else important in life, while the Spanish indulge mainly at meal times.

 

I think I got carried away there a bit. What I was starting to say was, that I just had a sumptuous meal even though it's not Sunday yet; baked spiced honeyed chicken (one of my favourites), sautéed baby leeks, fragrant rice with toasted split almonds, accompanied with a bit more than 2 glasses of Marques de Carceres, ( one of my favourite red wine ), 2 & a half glasses maybe. All right, more like 3. Well over my self imposed wine limit of one or maximum 2 per meal, especially on midday. So, if I make mistakes with spelling, or seem incoherent, it's not really my fault; the culprit is the wine.

I tend to give in occasionally to sudden impulses, indulging myself doing something I don't normally do. Though, given the opportunity & choice, I would have preferred to indulge in something else other than food and wine. Honest, crossed my heart.

 

While living in Hong Kong I once went out to buy a pair of shoes & came home within an hour with a bunch of keys for a new apartment I just purchased. No money left to buy shoes! In HK in those days, as long as you paid cash, or certified cheque, you are given the keys of your new property on the spot; the formalities were done at the solicitor's days after while necessary papers were being prepared.

Now where was I? What shall I have for dinner? I need to go & get something nice for tomorrow's Sunday lunch.

I found this Blog still in my Draft Box, written and should have been posted yesterday, but obviously forgotten! Told you. It's the wine's fault, not mine.

Tags: sunday, wine, saturday

Prev: 24th June 2012 Brain Exercise - Can You Read This?

24th June 2012 Brain Exercise - Can You Read This?

I've seen similar exercise done with mixed and misplaced letters, but this is the first
time seeing it with numbers. Good example of a Brain Study:

If you can read this you have a strong mind:

 


7H15 M3554G3
53RV35 7O PR0V3
H0W 0UR M1ND5 C4N
D0 4M4Z1NG 7H1NG5!
1MPR3551V3 7H1NG5!
1N 7H3 B3G1NN1NG
17 WA5 H4RD BU7
N0W, 0N 7H15 LIN3
Y0UR M1ND 1S
R34D1NG 17
4U70M471C4LLY
W17H 0U7 3V3N
7H1NK1NG 4B0U7 17,
B3 PROUD! 0NLY
C3R741N P30PL3 C4N
R3AD 7H15.
PL3453 F0RW4RD 1F
U C4N R34D 7H15. :-)

 

Tags: brainexercise

Prev: 23rd June 2012 Art, Food & Wine

23rd June 2012 Art, Food & Wine

Quite a number of Spanish restaurants are often an art gallery as well. Some would have their walls covered with paintings & drawings by known artists, or the work of those who considered themselves artists and their work is accepted by the restaurant as worthy showing. Customs can wander about in the restaurant viewing art exhibited while waiting for their food to come to the table. There's usually a small and discreet introduction of the artist under each painting, some poetic expression or background describing the work, and if it's for sale, the price.

Then there are also restaurants who have showcases artistically arranged here and there displaying sculptures, while the bigger ones are free standing on esthetically chosen spots.

 

A brand new idea was the recent event, taken place in open air, a fusion of art, food and wine not just for viewing and gastronomic pleasure, but visitors, wine glass in hand, can watch how an artist work on a blank canvas gradually being covered with seemingly effortless ease and skilful strokes, till an amazing picture appears right before your eyes. He would also be drinking wine and might even chat to you a bit while his art is forming.

This type of aptly named 'Enogastronomical' events are organised by a company with 10 years' experience of development and execution of exclusive sensorial events. This recent one is presented by Ex Ex (Exceptional Experiences), a body of artists and wineries. What a wonderful idea I thought. Both art and wine stimulate the sensorial senses, fed further by tiny but most delightful snacks and the gradually emerging art of beauty, positively enriching the sense of well being.

At work was the artist, Josep Puigmarti, with wine in hand.

 

Tags: wine, art

Prev: 23rd June 2012 The Quirky Logic - One Of My Favourites

23rd June 2012 Quicky Logic - One Of My Favourites

I am almost sure I had posted this one before, but I am too lazy to check amongst the 4060 Blogs (to date) and this one is staring me in my face saying 'Take me, take me ...' Anyway, it's good for a laugh.

 

1) English Words with Quirky Logic ~

 

* Have you noticed that there is neither apple nor pine in pineapple.

* English muffins weren't invented in England

* French fries do not originate in France.

* A guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

* And there are no hogs in Hogmanay.

* And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?

* You cannot buy boots in Boots nor virgins in Virgin. You cannot buy threshers in Threshers and the Superdrug chain is a big disappointment.

* Quicksand only works slowly

* If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth?

* If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?

* If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

* A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.

 

2) Strange Words ~

 

* There is no parlour in in parlous. (Parlous - dangerous, hazardous)

* Sweetmeats are sweets while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.

* When you are incommunicado: you are without the means to communicate.

3) The Problem with Speaking English ~

 

* Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

* Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

* Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

* Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

* Germans drink beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

* CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

 

 

Tags: quirkylogic

Prev: 22nd June 2012 The Things People Do ...!

22nd June 2012 The Things People Do ...!

I am not sure how much fame or fortune people are awarded for being the first to achieve all sorts of incredible things, most are quite interesting, amazing, entertaining but many others are, to me, plain silly, like the the challenge of most hamburgers or hard-boiled eggs one can consume in the least minutes; some would even go as far as risking their health and even lives. At the end, only they themselves can really know whether or not it had been worthwhile. The ones who lost their lives in the attempt couldn't even know that.

 

Tags: noseless, niagarawalker

Prev: 22nd June 2012 My Passion & Woody Allen's Brain22

22nd June 2012 Imaginative Art

22nd June 2012 My Passion & Woody Allen's Brain

Every now & then somebody would ask me what's my greatest passion in life, not so highbrow as idealistic, but daily actions. At one or two occasions I answered " High quality & well prepared food is my 2nd greatest passion; the 1st one I am not telling." As expected, people always urged me to say what my first one was, no response to the 2nd as if they haven't heard that part at all. Getting no answer from me they usually offered all sorts of their own conjectures.

Today I read about Woody Allen's view that " The vocation of politicians is to make each solution a problem.", and his opinion of his own talent : " My brain is my 2nd favourite organ". None of the dozens of reporters & photographers present at the press conference asked what his most favourite organ was.

His declaration brought out loud & understanding laughter, mine a few winks & puzzled question marks. None of these is of any significance nor importance. Just voicing my disorderly passing thoughts.

 

Tags: woodyallen, passion, brain

Prev: 21st June 2012 Me - Thoroughly Modern & Stubbornly Old-Fashioned

21st June 2012 Me - Thoroughly Modern & Stubbornly Old-Fashioned

After the Eurovision Song Contest, disappointing according to general opinions all round, my own included. Most seem to coincide on one thing, it's not as it used to be, music, instead of noises made louder & more annoying still by overwhelming mix of high tech sounds, drowning all melodies & lyrics.

I classify myself as opened or even broad minded, thoroughly modern & in touch with today's ideas & trends. Yet I do have certain very old fashioned convictions & principals, not to say tastes, likes & dislikes. For instance, I often enjoy very old movies even those made way before my time; classics of the 30's to 60's, some of the music too of that bygone era, sung by obsolete crooners. 

I believe in respecting all races & cultures, traditions, religions and, especially the old, any elders, just for their age & experience. Even when they are wrong & I don't agree in what they say, I will still respect them, as I know they received their education & lived their lives in a different era & society with different values.

I prefer ballroom dancing than discotheques. How can it be better hopping & wiggling about all by yourself, knocking each others' shoulders & elbows in a tight spot on the jam-packed floor, with deafening "music" , than being held in a gentleman's arms, swaying in soft melodies, & listening to his sweet nothings whispered into your ear? And for the man too, won't you rather have your arm round her waist in a close embrace and holding her hand, cheek to cheek, moving sensually to the soothing rhythm, so close & intimate that you can actually feel her heartbeat? (Bonus: Even with her husband watching!)

 

I would go out in my mini skirt & low-cut tank top, or threadbare jeans with flip-flops, anywhere in my little town, but not to visit a church, a gallery, and in-town restaurant, or attend even a moderate village concert.

I love going to theatres, concerts, classic & modern, candle-light dinners, in my elegant & feminine dress, then maybe strolling in the moonlight on the beach bare foot, with my high heels in my hands, or his, much more than attending parties in jeans & trainers, yelling all night to your friends because the music is too loud to have a nice conversation. You leave the party with a huge headache knowing no one better than went you went in ...

 

There's a Spanish saying: "Mejor solo que mal acompañado" - Better to be alone than badly accompanied.

 

I am alone quite a lot. But my dreams are often in Technicolour.

 

Tags: dance, music, me

Prev: 21st June 2012 The Farmer, His Horse, & The Car Thief