Thursday, January 29, 2009
News
Michelle overslept and was late for work for the first time in three years this morning. She was adult about it and told the truth without feeble excuses and found that people were pretty understanding. The truth has a certain ring to it and Managers would rather know the truth because if they suspect they are being lied to they lose confidence in the person. They were OK about it because it hasn't happened before and she was professional about it.
She has joined Weight Watchers and I am going to follow the diet with her as I feel grotesque. I hate being so fat and recently I have put on a load of extra weight so my clothes don't fit and I feel ugly. It is Sean's 70th birthday in March and I can't embarrass him by looking the way I do. I will do my best, but I am on two medicines that have weight gain as a side effect, plus I am peri-menopausal and it is normal to gain weight at this stage. It isn't so bad if you were slender to start off with, but I haven't been slender in decades. I realise these factors, combined with the problems involved in exercising, it will be difficult. Difficult yes, but impossible, no.
My Mum is starting to feel better now that the Dr has put her on an antibiotic for a respiratory infection she had before she went to South Africa. As she has had the bug for so long it will take a while for her to be back to her old self, but at least a sensible start has been made. She took Wendy swimming this morning, and Wendy has learned delaying tactics. My Mum gives her a warning that it is nearly time to stop swimming so the request to get out doesn't come as a surprise. After 5 min or so, she says "we have to get out now" and Wendy says "Coming!" but doesn't. My mum has to tell her again, and gets the same response. "Coming!" but doesn't. Then the bribery/blackmail starts. "Do you want us to come swimming again?" "Yes" "Well then, you must get out now or I won't bring you again". Actually, the only real hassle my mum has with her is that she can't get herself dried and dressed at the same time as Wendy, who is apt to wander off, so its a bit tricky. Wendy and my Mum enjoy each other's company so much. Its good for my mum's general fitness and well being, its good for Wendy to have a bond with her great grandma and its good for Caelyn to have a break. Wendy is a real livewire and, being pregnant, Caelyn is very tired. Wendy is very lovely and sweet but she is exhausting. She has a lively curiosity and you can't take your eyes off her for a minute.
A Fransiscan Missionary priest in Evander, Father Tony Thouard, once told me that children are brought up by the 3 B's - Bribery, Brutality and Blackmail. I was mildly shocked and took it as a witticism, but after all these years have passed, I think Fr Tony had a point. I wonder how he is and where he is. God Bless you, Fr Tony. Your kindness and gentleness are remembered with affection.
Sean was in London today for a dental appointment and it went well, as it jolly well ought, considering it cost him an arm and a leg. He had a pub dinner with a neighbour, Colin. He also had a blast by his brother in law who, most unusually for him, wasn't being quite fair. Sean had a disturbed night last night so I hope he will be able to settle tonight as a family quarrel can stop someone sleeping. Sean really feels it if he doesn't have enough sleep, so I hope natural exhaustion will win out. This is undoubtedly a storm in a teacup, but these things are upsetting until they blow over.
She has joined Weight Watchers and I am going to follow the diet with her as I feel grotesque. I hate being so fat and recently I have put on a load of extra weight so my clothes don't fit and I feel ugly. It is Sean's 70th birthday in March and I can't embarrass him by looking the way I do. I will do my best, but I am on two medicines that have weight gain as a side effect, plus I am peri-menopausal and it is normal to gain weight at this stage. It isn't so bad if you were slender to start off with, but I haven't been slender in decades. I realise these factors, combined with the problems involved in exercising, it will be difficult. Difficult yes, but impossible, no.
My Mum is starting to feel better now that the Dr has put her on an antibiotic for a respiratory infection she had before she went to South Africa. As she has had the bug for so long it will take a while for her to be back to her old self, but at least a sensible start has been made. She took Wendy swimming this morning, and Wendy has learned delaying tactics. My Mum gives her a warning that it is nearly time to stop swimming so the request to get out doesn't come as a surprise. After 5 min or so, she says "we have to get out now" and Wendy says "Coming!" but doesn't. My mum has to tell her again, and gets the same response. "Coming!" but doesn't. Then the bribery/blackmail starts. "Do you want us to come swimming again?" "Yes" "Well then, you must get out now or I won't bring you again". Actually, the only real hassle my mum has with her is that she can't get herself dried and dressed at the same time as Wendy, who is apt to wander off, so its a bit tricky. Wendy and my Mum enjoy each other's company so much. Its good for my mum's general fitness and well being, its good for Wendy to have a bond with her great grandma and its good for Caelyn to have a break. Wendy is a real livewire and, being pregnant, Caelyn is very tired. Wendy is very lovely and sweet but she is exhausting. She has a lively curiosity and you can't take your eyes off her for a minute.
A Fransiscan Missionary priest in Evander, Father Tony Thouard, once told me that children are brought up by the 3 B's - Bribery, Brutality and Blackmail. I was mildly shocked and took it as a witticism, but after all these years have passed, I think Fr Tony had a point. I wonder how he is and where he is. God Bless you, Fr Tony. Your kindness and gentleness are remembered with affection.
Sean was in London today for a dental appointment and it went well, as it jolly well ought, considering it cost him an arm and a leg. He had a pub dinner with a neighbour, Colin. He also had a blast by his brother in law who, most unusually for him, wasn't being quite fair. Sean had a disturbed night last night so I hope he will be able to settle tonight as a family quarrel can stop someone sleeping. Sean really feels it if he doesn't have enough sleep, so I hope natural exhaustion will win out. This is undoubtedly a storm in a teacup, but these things are upsetting until they blow over.
More Slides
I am trying to get a picture site up and running, but find myself without the time and energy. I have started one but its nowhere near ready for publishing yet. I find working with images soothing. I'm first going to post the original photo that the slideshow with its different effects came from.
Now you have seen the original, not very good photo, see where digital art software can take you.
Now you have seen the original, not very good photo, see where digital art software can take you.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Brakkie in Winter Slideshow.
These slides are all the same basic picture, but treated differently in digital art programs. Can you see why I find this an absorbing hobby?
Yet my Blogger account has nearly reached its permitted picture allowance, so I'm looking at alternatives. I might put photos somewhere like Piczo and keep the blog mostly for text work. That might be a good thing for people with slow internet connections because without pictures, a web page loads faster.
Yet my Blogger account has nearly reached its permitted picture allowance, so I'm looking at alternatives. I might put photos somewhere like Piczo and keep the blog mostly for text work. That might be a good thing for people with slow internet connections because without pictures, a web page loads faster.
Apt Definitions
ADULT:
A person who has stopped growing at both ends
and is now growing in the middle.
BEAUTY PARLOR:
A place where women curl up and dye.
CANNIBAL:
Someone who is fed up with people.
CHICKENS:
The only animals you eat before they are born
and after they are dead.
COMMITTEE:
A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours.
DUST:
Mud with the juice squeezed out.
EGOTIST:
Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation.
HANDKERCHIEF:
Cold Storage.
INFLATION:
Cutting money in half without damaging the paper.
MOSQUITO:
An insect that makes you like flies better.
RAISIN:
Grape with a sunburn.
SECRET:
Something you tell to one person at a time.
SKELETON:
A bunch of bones with the person scraped off.
TOOTHACHE:
The pain that drives you to extraction.
TOMORROW:
One of the greatest labor saving devices of today.
YAWN:
An honest opinion openly expressed.
WRINKLES:
Something other people have.
You have character lines.
A person who has stopped growing at both ends
and is now growing in the middle.
BEAUTY PARLOR:
A place where women curl up and dye.
CANNIBAL:
Someone who is fed up with people.
CHICKENS:
The only animals you eat before they are born
and after they are dead.
COMMITTEE:
A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours.
DUST:
Mud with the juice squeezed out.
EGOTIST:
Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation.
HANDKERCHIEF:
Cold Storage.
INFLATION:
Cutting money in half without damaging the paper.
MOSQUITO:
An insect that makes you like flies better.
RAISIN:
Grape with a sunburn.
SECRET:
Something you tell to one person at a time.
SKELETON:
A bunch of bones with the person scraped off.
TOOTHACHE:
The pain that drives you to extraction.
TOMORROW:
One of the greatest labor saving devices of today.
YAWN:
An honest opinion openly expressed.
WRINKLES:
Something other people have.
You have character lines.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Mel and Chloe
My sister Mel has a Cornish Rex cat, Chloe, who is loved dearly and spoiled rotten, just as cats should be.
The collage was created with Picasa 3, a free download from Google.
The collage was created with Picasa 3, a free download from Google.
Women's Institute Survey
Hi all
Please take a few minutes to have a look at this, and pass it on to as many women as you can.
Even if you have not been subject to violence, they still want to hear your views.
THE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE - Violence against Women UK Survey
As part of its Violence Against Women Campaign, the Women's Institute Has commissioned research from the University of Bristol to look at the needs of women in rural and urban areas. Melanie McCarry and Emma Williamson have produced an on-line survey which is available now and until the 14th February 2009. This has the potential to be the largest survey of women's views in the UK.
Please complete the survey, and forward to as many women in your networks as possible, family, friends, and colleagues, especially those in rural areas who might not always be consulted on these issues.
Preliminary results from the survey will be launched on International Women's Day, March 8th 2009, with a more detailed report available from the WI website by the end of April 2009.
Click THIS link to go to the survey
Please take a few minutes to have a look at this, and pass it on to as many women as you can.
Even if you have not been subject to violence, they still want to hear your views.
THE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE - Violence against Women UK Survey
As part of its Violence Against Women Campaign, the Women's Institute Has commissioned research from the University of Bristol to look at the needs of women in rural and urban areas. Melanie McCarry and Emma Williamson have produced an on-line survey which is available now and until the 14th February 2009. This has the potential to be the largest survey of women's views in the UK.
Please complete the survey, and forward to as many women in your networks as possible, family, friends, and colleagues, especially those in rural areas who might not always be consulted on these issues.
Preliminary results from the survey will be launched on International Women's Day, March 8th 2009, with a more detailed report available from the WI website by the end of April 2009.
Click THIS link to go to the survey
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Our Little Love
I mentioned FotoSketcher in a previous post. These slides are all from the same photo and treated in different ways in Fotosketcher. It has its limitations, but for a freeware program, it is brilliant.
The slideshow was a free application in Photobucket.
The slideshow was a free application in Photobucket.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
STOP PRESS!
CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHELLE!
Michelle sent me a text saying that she has been promoted to Health and Safety Officer. I haven't spoken to her yet because I can't call her at work, but when I know more, I will let you know.
She is a good worker, that Michelle, and I'm delighted that she is getting the recognition she deserves.
Family and Friends
Nigel
Nigel has been very unwell and he had a big exam to write today, so I hope it went well.
Wendy
Wendy is a little cow after certain sweets, so they have been banned. When she doesn't have them, she is her normal lovely self. She doesn't get the wrong sweets very often, so the change in her behaviour is very noticeable.
Michelle
Michelle is feeling a lot better after being put on to day shifts, although she is dreading the effect on her pay packet. Her NVQ is due to be handed in on 2 February so she is pegging away at that. There is a lot of work to do, but she has done most of it.
Melanie
Melanie is going through a tough time with the last of her teenagers. He has been behaving very badly, as teens do when they get into a strop. If parents are honest, even the best of them will admit to trying times with their teens. My kids nearly drove me mad, and at times I felt like running away from home. They grew out of it, as kids do, and are lovely young women now. I asked Caelyn what she would do if Wendy did the same things she did and Caelyn said 'I'd kill her!' Not literally, of course. But grounding her until she is 40 sounds like a good idea ;)) Mel's oldest child is a nice young adult now, and the two younger ones will get there too in the end. The added complication is that she has remarried, and feels loyal to her husband, so she is torn. When her kids are being awful and husband gets annoyed, even if she agrees that he is right, in her gut she is a mother who wants to defend her children even when she knows they are in the wrong. This is entirely normal but not easy to live through.
Josie
I am very unsatisfied with my mother's state of health. She is very tired and can't concentrate, and she has a fair bit of pain. Day to day life is a struggle for her, although we hope she will feel better once her thyroid medication is at the right dose. She is having regular blood tests and her medication is being increased incrementally depending on the results of the blood tests. Michelle and Caelyn are worried about her too. She was here yesterday after her blood test. Lisa was here to cut my hair and Josie dropped her off at home when it was done. Michelle got back from work in time to have a good time chatting to Lisa.
Sean
As Sean is self employed, he is keeping a worried weather eye on the economic downturn as it will affect his business. He seems to be in a cycle of worry about that and about domestic matters, and it is affecting his sleep. I wish I could make it all OK for him, as I wish for the rest of the family too. I would like everyone to be healthy, happy and well and without financial or other worries. I'm sure everyone wishes that.
Nigel has been very unwell and he had a big exam to write today, so I hope it went well.
Wendy
Wendy is a little cow after certain sweets, so they have been banned. When she doesn't have them, she is her normal lovely self. She doesn't get the wrong sweets very often, so the change in her behaviour is very noticeable.
Michelle
Michelle is feeling a lot better after being put on to day shifts, although she is dreading the effect on her pay packet. Her NVQ is due to be handed in on 2 February so she is pegging away at that. There is a lot of work to do, but she has done most of it.
Melanie
Melanie is going through a tough time with the last of her teenagers. He has been behaving very badly, as teens do when they get into a strop. If parents are honest, even the best of them will admit to trying times with their teens. My kids nearly drove me mad, and at times I felt like running away from home. They grew out of it, as kids do, and are lovely young women now. I asked Caelyn what she would do if Wendy did the same things she did and Caelyn said 'I'd kill her!' Not literally, of course. But grounding her until she is 40 sounds like a good idea ;)) Mel's oldest child is a nice young adult now, and the two younger ones will get there too in the end. The added complication is that she has remarried, and feels loyal to her husband, so she is torn. When her kids are being awful and husband gets annoyed, even if she agrees that he is right, in her gut she is a mother who wants to defend her children even when she knows they are in the wrong. This is entirely normal but not easy to live through.
Josie
I am very unsatisfied with my mother's state of health. She is very tired and can't concentrate, and she has a fair bit of pain. Day to day life is a struggle for her, although we hope she will feel better once her thyroid medication is at the right dose. She is having regular blood tests and her medication is being increased incrementally depending on the results of the blood tests. Michelle and Caelyn are worried about her too. She was here yesterday after her blood test. Lisa was here to cut my hair and Josie dropped her off at home when it was done. Michelle got back from work in time to have a good time chatting to Lisa.
Sean
As Sean is self employed, he is keeping a worried weather eye on the economic downturn as it will affect his business. He seems to be in a cycle of worry about that and about domestic matters, and it is affecting his sleep. I wish I could make it all OK for him, as I wish for the rest of the family too. I would like everyone to be healthy, happy and well and without financial or other worries. I'm sure everyone wishes that.
The Brak
Yesterday morning, I took the Brak to the Vet. It was the same Vet his previous owner June used to take him to, and the receptionist remembered her. He took great exception to the Vet cutting his nails, the great Wuss! She was such a nice Vet too. He is fine except that he needs some dental work under anaesthetic, and that will cost £200.
On the way home we were caught in a heavy sleet shower but I couldn't see a suitable place to take shelter, so we pressed on. And wouldn't you know it, as soon as we were within a block of home, it stopped!
On the way home we were caught in a heavy sleet shower but I couldn't see a suitable place to take shelter, so we pressed on. And wouldn't you know it, as soon as we were within a block of home, it stopped!
Great Little Freeware Program
Last night I downloaded a freeware program called FotoSketcher and its great! Its simple and uncomplicated and produces stunning effects. I will post a few of my preliminary attempts, but as I learn more about the program, I expect even better results.
All these were done with one or two clicks, and the program is intuitive to use.
Click HERE to go to their Gallery.
All these were done with one or two clicks, and the program is intuitive to use.
Click HERE to go to their Gallery.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Mothers
MOTHERS
Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough
doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what
the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
and get their answer when a little
voice says, 'Because I love you best..'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth
is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...
The Images of Mother
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman can be seen in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!
Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough
doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what
the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
and get their answer when a little
voice says, 'Because I love you best..'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth
is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...
The Images of Mother
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman can be seen in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!
Family Catch Up
Michelle
Michelle was off duty yesterday and got a lot of work done for her NVQ. It has to be handed in complete by 2 February.
Wendy has been difficult lately, and Michelle found out that she could possibly be acting out natural jealousy of the unborn baby. Michelle thought that Wendy might feel that she wasn't wanted or needed any more and that the new baby was to replace her. It seems that is the case because we decided to give extra attention, cuddles and stickers to reward good behaviour, and she was much easier to handle today. We will welcome the new baby, but Wendy will always be our First Born.
Caelyn
Caelyn had a good appetite today and I'm glad about that as she had been losing weight. She had had some rest too and looked all the better for it.
Nigel
Nigel's Crohns disease has been playing up again, plus he has a bad cold. He has been doing extra Wendy duty because he knows how tired Caelyn was. He brought his girls round here today and we sent him off to bed while we played with Wendy and cooked dinner. Wendy had her Auntie Michelle on all fours being a "horsey". He didn't look too well when he got up but he still helped with Wendy anyway. He has a big exam on Wednesday and he finds this year's tutor difficult and unhelpful. Plus Nigel is tired and unwell, and not in the best state to be writing serious exams. He works so hard that he deserves to do well.
Josie
Josie is really not herself. Her thyroid is still not functioning properly and the Dr is still working up to the optimal dose for her. It can't be done all at once - its dangerous - but in the meantime, she isn't having much of a life. She wakes up desperately tired, then goes back to sleep again. The sleep is unrefreshing though, so she feels just as bad no matter how much or how little she sleeps. The knock on effects of that are more aches and pains, more digestive difficulties, low mood, poor concentration and a general feeling of unwellness. She said she couldn't even stand up in Church today. It is hard for her because she has always been able to do as she wants to do or to concentrate when she needs to think something over, and now her body won't let her. I know how annoying it is, and I'm desperately sorry for her. I wish I could help, but I can't. She will have to sit it out until her dose of thyroid replacement is up to its optimal level for her. She is less mobile too as a result of the injury to her right knee when she fell heavily onto it at Heathrow Airport. She has been having a lot of falls, and I don't like it.
Sean
Sean spent the weekend in Cambridge with his sister. They had dinner with some old friends yesterday and lunch with some interesting people today. They went to Mass at the Cambridge Catholic Chaplaincy and Sean really enjoyed it.
Wendy
Wendy was her usual sweet self today, although a couple of tantrums were headed off by distraction and reassurance. They are using Sticker Charts to reinforce good behaviour. She sat on the countertop and "helped" her mum with the mushrooms. She passed them to Mum who peeled and chopped them. She ate well, listened to some nursery rhyme songs and watched Lion King on the computer.
Sue
Sue is very sad thinking of the anguish Jan is going through at the loss of Pip. Last week she was planning a wedding, and this week she is planning a funeral instead. No one should go through that!
All the same, I think I have caught up with my sleep and feel quite a lot better.
Michelle was off duty yesterday and got a lot of work done for her NVQ. It has to be handed in complete by 2 February.
Wendy has been difficult lately, and Michelle found out that she could possibly be acting out natural jealousy of the unborn baby. Michelle thought that Wendy might feel that she wasn't wanted or needed any more and that the new baby was to replace her. It seems that is the case because we decided to give extra attention, cuddles and stickers to reward good behaviour, and she was much easier to handle today. We will welcome the new baby, but Wendy will always be our First Born.
Caelyn
Caelyn had a good appetite today and I'm glad about that as she had been losing weight. She had had some rest too and looked all the better for it.
Nigel
Nigel's Crohns disease has been playing up again, plus he has a bad cold. He has been doing extra Wendy duty because he knows how tired Caelyn was. He brought his girls round here today and we sent him off to bed while we played with Wendy and cooked dinner. Wendy had her Auntie Michelle on all fours being a "horsey". He didn't look too well when he got up but he still helped with Wendy anyway. He has a big exam on Wednesday and he finds this year's tutor difficult and unhelpful. Plus Nigel is tired and unwell, and not in the best state to be writing serious exams. He works so hard that he deserves to do well.
Josie
Josie is really not herself. Her thyroid is still not functioning properly and the Dr is still working up to the optimal dose for her. It can't be done all at once - its dangerous - but in the meantime, she isn't having much of a life. She wakes up desperately tired, then goes back to sleep again. The sleep is unrefreshing though, so she feels just as bad no matter how much or how little she sleeps. The knock on effects of that are more aches and pains, more digestive difficulties, low mood, poor concentration and a general feeling of unwellness. She said she couldn't even stand up in Church today. It is hard for her because she has always been able to do as she wants to do or to concentrate when she needs to think something over, and now her body won't let her. I know how annoying it is, and I'm desperately sorry for her. I wish I could help, but I can't. She will have to sit it out until her dose of thyroid replacement is up to its optimal level for her. She is less mobile too as a result of the injury to her right knee when she fell heavily onto it at Heathrow Airport. She has been having a lot of falls, and I don't like it.
Sean
Sean spent the weekend in Cambridge with his sister. They had dinner with some old friends yesterday and lunch with some interesting people today. They went to Mass at the Cambridge Catholic Chaplaincy and Sean really enjoyed it.
Wendy
Wendy was her usual sweet self today, although a couple of tantrums were headed off by distraction and reassurance. They are using Sticker Charts to reinforce good behaviour. She sat on the countertop and "helped" her mum with the mushrooms. She passed them to Mum who peeled and chopped them. She ate well, listened to some nursery rhyme songs and watched Lion King on the computer.
Sue
Sue is very sad thinking of the anguish Jan is going through at the loss of Pip. Last week she was planning a wedding, and this week she is planning a funeral instead. No one should go through that!
All the same, I think I have caught up with my sleep and feel quite a lot better.
Jesus Wept
Jesus Wept
Jesus wept.
How odd to think of those words,
that you,
our Lord,
our comforter,
our king,
would know the pain
that tears at the heart
and brings the tears,
one by one
trickling down the cheeks,
but you are Emmanuel,
God With Us,
who knows our pain,
who has drunk the cup of grief,
who knows the sorrow
of hearing of a friend's loss,
the aching separation of saying goodbye to a parent,
the hurt that rings so much of life.
O Lord who walks with us
and knows our sorrows,
be with those in grief today,
those who will lose a loved one,
see tragedy,
know their child will choose the dark,
be left to pick up the shatters of bad luck,
bad choice,
hard situations.
Lord,
we give you so much grief and pain,
thank you for giving back your love.
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
http://www.catholicmeditations.com/cathmedblog/2004_07_25_archive.html
Jesus wept.
How odd to think of those words,
that you,
our Lord,
our comforter,
our king,
would know the pain
that tears at the heart
and brings the tears,
one by one
trickling down the cheeks,
but you are Emmanuel,
God With Us,
who knows our pain,
who has drunk the cup of grief,
who knows the sorrow
of hearing of a friend's loss,
the aching separation of saying goodbye to a parent,
the hurt that rings so much of life.
O Lord who walks with us
and knows our sorrows,
be with those in grief today,
those who will lose a loved one,
see tragedy,
know their child will choose the dark,
be left to pick up the shatters of bad luck,
bad choice,
hard situations.
Lord,
we give you so much grief and pain,
thank you for giving back your love.
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
http://www.catholicmeditations.com/cathmedblog/2004_07_25_archive.html
Another ME death. RIP Pip.
I've had an Internet relationship with a very ill couple called Pip and Jan. Jan has relapsed and has been mostly bed bound, needing a carer to help her sit in a chair for short periods. She and Pip lived together like brother and sister. He too was very ill with ME but his function was better than Jan's. They were planning a wedding.
Pip had a virus and the after hours doctors saw him a couple of times. His temp was sky rocketing, and Jan looked after him as best she could. As she was in severe pain, the Dr gave her an analgesic. Jan accepted it because she thought if her pain was under control, she would be better able to help Pip. Well, it knocked her out, and when she woke up, Pip had collapsed and died in the bathroom. It is common for ME sufferers to be unable to control their body temperature as the part of the brain that controls it is usually affected by ME, which is a neurological illness (meaning of the brain and nervous system).
Pip's adult daughter Susie died last year.
Jan is distraught and blaming herself for sleeping after having the analgesic. She only took it to be strong enough to look after Pip.
I am so sad for her. How will she make arrangements when she can't get to the bathroom unaided? Will she have to move? If so, how on earth will she find a suitable place to live? She was dreadfully ill before this bereavement, so its hard to see how she could get much worse, but unfortunately that is possible.
Some people are asked to bear so much.
She is devastated and does not have a supportive family. Please keep her in your prayers.
Pip had a virus and the after hours doctors saw him a couple of times. His temp was sky rocketing, and Jan looked after him as best she could. As she was in severe pain, the Dr gave her an analgesic. Jan accepted it because she thought if her pain was under control, she would be better able to help Pip. Well, it knocked her out, and when she woke up, Pip had collapsed and died in the bathroom. It is common for ME sufferers to be unable to control their body temperature as the part of the brain that controls it is usually affected by ME, which is a neurological illness (meaning of the brain and nervous system).
Pip's adult daughter Susie died last year.
Jan is distraught and blaming herself for sleeping after having the analgesic. She only took it to be strong enough to look after Pip.
I am so sad for her. How will she make arrangements when she can't get to the bathroom unaided? Will she have to move? If so, how on earth will she find a suitable place to live? She was dreadfully ill before this bereavement, so its hard to see how she could get much worse, but unfortunately that is possible.
Some people are asked to bear so much.
She is devastated and does not have a supportive family. Please keep her in your prayers.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Animal Prayers
To me, these Prayers of the Animals capture the very essence of their natures. They were written in French by Bernos de Gasztold who lives in a French Abbey. They were translated into English by Rumer Godden, who is one of my favourite authors.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sophia Mirza
Some time ago I wrote in outrage and despair at the terrible and unnecessary death of Sophia Mirza. After she died, her spine was sent away for special post mortem examination by neurologists, and it was found to be severely inflamed. Her mother and sister put a website together that documents the medical torture they were put through and it is painful and uncomfortable reading. Sophia became the first person in the UK to have ME listed as Cause of Death on her death certificate. What they went through is frightening, appalling and disgraceful. This young woman and her iatrogenic death must mot be forgotten.
This is the website http://sophiaandme.org.uk/
Her mum, Criona Wilson, has a short, factual and unemotional interview on youtube.
This is the website http://sophiaandme.org.uk/
Her mum, Criona Wilson, has a short, factual and unemotional interview on youtube.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Will you finish Strong?
This guy has such an inspirational and heartwarming message that I thought I'd post it as it deserves to be seen by lots of people. It is a short but very powerful message, so get the tissues ready and prepare for a challenge.
To see this short video, click here
To see this short video, click here
Excellent Article in Irish Independent
There is an excellent article in the Irish Independent called The silent pain of ME.
It was written by Sarah Spendiff and the article does a case study of one person. It is very rare to get an article of this quality in the popular press.
To read the original article, click this blue text
Just in case it disappears from the original site, I will paste the article below:
The silent pain of ME (Irish Independent, 12 January 2009
For Corina Duyn, the loneliness is the worst aspect of her illness. The former doll maker and teacher from Lismore in Waterford has spent nearly a decade alone in her bedroom unable to leave due to her debilitating ME.
Astonishingly, Corina is one of the lucky ones as many others with this condition fail to even get a diagnosis of what's wrong with them. Corina says: "I feel so alone in this illness at times. Nobody really understands what it is like to have this mysterious disease and those that do don't know how to help me. I am sad for myself and sad for the position that I and lots of other people are in, who find themselves at the mercy of the health service."
Up to 12,000 people suffer from ME/CFS in Ireland although, due to the difficulty in diagnosing it, the number could be much higher. ME stands for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and has been around since the 1930s, but in the 1980s it became a media topic with the disease being given the unwelcome moniker of 'yuppie flu'.
This was due to the flu-like symptoms sufferers reported and because many of those who became ill were high flyers so it was considered a kind of burn-out.
To this day many sufferers find it difficult to be taken seriously and even when they are, there is little the medical profession can do for them because there are few credible treatments available.
However, a UK survey revealed that 50pc of GPs do not believe the condition exists and although many Irish patients say their GPs are sympathetic they are also told there is very little they can do for them.
One of the issues is that there is no diagnostic test to determine if a patient has ME, which leaves some sufferers in a medical void.
For those who are diagnosed after a long process of eliminating any other possible condition, the first line of treatment is often therapy, known as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), or gentle exercise called Graded Exercise Therapy (GET), -- although some patient organisations think anti-virals or other medication would be better.
Another reason for this situation is that, in 1988, ME was reclassified as ME/CFS to include chronic fatigue syndrome and is now an umbrella condition incorporating illnesses such as fibromyalgia, fatigue and even depression. For people with those disorders, the recommended treatment of CBT might be useful, but for others with chronic pain and immobilising fatigue who are at the extreme end of the ME/CFS spectrum, they find the suggestion of therapy instead of medicine and science insulting.
Tom Kindlon of the Irish ME/CFS Association says: "ME sufferers in Ireland are largely ignored. Nobody wants to take responsibility for them. There have been no scientific studies into the condition in Ireland for over a decade.
"Part of the problem with ME is that a lot of the suffering is invisible."
In the UK, following on from a report from the CMO (Chief Medical Officer), £8.5m was made available for treatments to help those with ME/CFS. However, the treatments have followed the lines recommended by psychiatrists and tend to be CBT.
Tom says: "Our members have consistently told us that any exertion beyond what they are capable of produces a serious deterioration in their health. The idea that you could gradually get better through exercise is so seductive that most patients have tried it.
Kay Mclaughlin (39), from Ballinteer, Dublin, says that the 'gentle' form of exercise prescribed for her by her doctor and administered through an occupational therapist nearly "finished her off altogether". The former autistic therapist, who was diagnosed with ME/CFS five years ago, says: "The woman couldn't understand that I wasn't able to do it. She would look at me as if I were mad.
"It was only small stretches and bending but after she left I found I could barely move at all and would have to stay in bed. After a few sessions, I got my husband to send her away."
There are several patient surveys that highlight how many ME/CFS sufferers find GET to have a negative affect on their recovery. Despite this, in the UK, GET and CBT are the only recognised forms of treatment for patients which are recommended by the NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guidelines. This has led to a judicial review of the guidelines being brought by two patients and supported by some medical professors and scientists.
They claim that NICE has not considered all of the information available to them when drawing up the guidelines and that the evidence they did draw on is flawed. The case will be heard next month and, according to Declan Carroll of the Irish ME Trust, the outcome will have repercussions here, too.
"Our Department of Health will generally follow the line of thinking in the UK. We believe the psychiatrists wield a disproportionate amount of power when decisions are made on what research should be funded; therefore, coping strategies which come to the fore are CBT and GET," he says.
According to Declan, after much lobbying of the previous health minister, Micheal Martin, the Health Service Executive (HSE) set up a steering group to examine the 'best care treatment pathways' for people diagnosed with ME/CFS.
"A researcher and assistant were appointed and met periodically until September 2007," Declan says. "A final draft report was compiled following interviews with ME sufferers, completed questionnaires and an examination of the international experiences in other jurisdictions. However, we were disappointed with the result.
"We felt that this report was slanted towards the psychological bias and we could not justify supporting it."
He says that without signing off on it the report, treatments remain in limbo; but he says that is better than being in hell, which would be the case if GET/CBT became the only endorsed form of treatment for ME/CFS in Ireland.
This is a point Annemarie Buckley (43), from Waterford, agrees with wholeheartedly. Having been diagnosed with ME/CFS 13 years ago, Annemarie was encouraged to exercise by her GP.
"I was delighted to do it," she says. "I joined a gym and went there with my mum. I only did a tiny bit, in about two-minute instalments, but I found that a few days later I couldn't get out of bed.
After nearly a decade in the ME/CFS wilderness, Corina Duyn is starting to regain some freedom and is now able to leave her house with assistance from a wheelchair. She says that the condition is one of the hardest and darkest the body can take but despite this she didn't let it defeat her.
"I spent so much time alone, unable to read or even to move very much, that I began to notice my surroundings in a unique way. I think it is this that inspired much of my artwork."
Having endured so much, Corina has channelled the experience into creative projects, such as short stories and paintings, that can be viewed on her website www.littlewings.org.
At its worst, the illness caused her so much pain she needed to lie on a pile of duvets on her mattress or get a friend to build a bridge with pillows over her legs so the covers didn't inflict more pain. After her stay in hospital to investigate her condition, the physiotherapist offered her a rubber band to use for exercise.
"I have lived through this disease without any essential support. A rubber band to exercise my muscles is not going to help me overcome the physical obstacles I have to face. I feel let down by the health service."
While the medical profession continues to debate the most suitable forms of treatment for ME/CFS sufferers, new research is continually throwing more light on the condition and its possible cause.
With greater understanding of the cause comes the hopeful possibility of a cure. For many in the first grip of this potentially debilitating condition, the cure cannot come soon enough.
Irish ME/CFS Association, 01-2350965, info@irishmecfs.org
Irish ME Trust, Lo-call 1890 200 912, info@imet.ie
©Independent.ie 2009
Links:
tinyurl.com/88ewvb
It was written by Sarah Spendiff and the article does a case study of one person. It is very rare to get an article of this quality in the popular press.
To read the original article, click this blue text
Just in case it disappears from the original site, I will paste the article below:
The silent pain of ME (Irish Independent, 12 January 2009
For Corina Duyn, the loneliness is the worst aspect of her illness. The former doll maker and teacher from Lismore in Waterford has spent nearly a decade alone in her bedroom unable to leave due to her debilitating ME.
Astonishingly, Corina is one of the lucky ones as many others with this condition fail to even get a diagnosis of what's wrong with them. Corina says: "I feel so alone in this illness at times. Nobody really understands what it is like to have this mysterious disease and those that do don't know how to help me. I am sad for myself and sad for the position that I and lots of other people are in, who find themselves at the mercy of the health service."
Up to 12,000 people suffer from ME/CFS in Ireland although, due to the difficulty in diagnosing it, the number could be much higher. ME stands for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and has been around since the 1930s, but in the 1980s it became a media topic with the disease being given the unwelcome moniker of 'yuppie flu'.
This was due to the flu-like symptoms sufferers reported and because many of those who became ill were high flyers so it was considered a kind of burn-out.
To this day many sufferers find it difficult to be taken seriously and even when they are, there is little the medical profession can do for them because there are few credible treatments available.
The condition hit headlines again at the end of last year after Lynn Gilderdale died of a suspected morphine overdose following a 17-year battle with the illness. Her Irish-born mother Kay was subsequently arrested and accused of her assisted suicide, having nursed her bed-bound daughter over the years. Kay has been bailed and the case will be heard later this year.
Preconceptions
Kay has campaigned for greater awareness of the condition for many years because many myths and preconceptions still exist.
Part of the problem is the issue of whether the origin of ME lies in a psychological cause or in the physical. This question has divided the medical and patient community for decades. In 1969, the World Health Organisation classified ME as a neurological disorder, which makes it a physical condition; and patient groups such as the Irish ME Trust and the ME Association also believe it is a physical condition with very real physical symptoms.However, a UK survey revealed that 50pc of GPs do not believe the condition exists and although many Irish patients say their GPs are sympathetic they are also told there is very little they can do for them.
One of the issues is that there is no diagnostic test to determine if a patient has ME, which leaves some sufferers in a medical void.
For those who are diagnosed after a long process of eliminating any other possible condition, the first line of treatment is often therapy, known as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), or gentle exercise called Graded Exercise Therapy (GET), -- although some patient organisations think anti-virals or other medication would be better.
Another reason for this situation is that, in 1988, ME was reclassified as ME/CFS to include chronic fatigue syndrome and is now an umbrella condition incorporating illnesses such as fibromyalgia, fatigue and even depression. For people with those disorders, the recommended treatment of CBT might be useful, but for others with chronic pain and immobilising fatigue who are at the extreme end of the ME/CFS spectrum, they find the suggestion of therapy instead of medicine and science insulting.
Tom Kindlon of the Irish ME/CFS Association says: "ME sufferers in Ireland are largely ignored. Nobody wants to take responsibility for them. There have been no scientific studies into the condition in Ireland for over a decade.
"Part of the problem with ME is that a lot of the suffering is invisible."
In the UK, following on from a report from the CMO (Chief Medical Officer), £8.5m was made available for treatments to help those with ME/CFS. However, the treatments have followed the lines recommended by psychiatrists and tend to be CBT.
Tom says: "Our members have consistently told us that any exertion beyond what they are capable of produces a serious deterioration in their health. The idea that you could gradually get better through exercise is so seductive that most patients have tried it.
"Some are lucky and stop fairly quickly after they realise their symptoms come back if they try to keep going. Others keep pushing themselves even when feeling bad and eventually this leads to a relapse."
Kay Mclaughlin (39), from Ballinteer, Dublin, says that the 'gentle' form of exercise prescribed for her by her doctor and administered through an occupational therapist nearly "finished her off altogether". The former autistic therapist, who was diagnosed with ME/CFS five years ago, says: "The woman couldn't understand that I wasn't able to do it. She would look at me as if I were mad.
"It was only small stretches and bending but after she left I found I could barely move at all and would have to stay in bed. After a few sessions, I got my husband to send her away."
There are several patient surveys that highlight how many ME/CFS sufferers find GET to have a negative affect on their recovery. Despite this, in the UK, GET and CBT are the only recognised forms of treatment for patients which are recommended by the NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guidelines. This has led to a judicial review of the guidelines being brought by two patients and supported by some medical professors and scientists.
They claim that NICE has not considered all of the information available to them when drawing up the guidelines and that the evidence they did draw on is flawed. The case will be heard next month and, according to Declan Carroll of the Irish ME Trust, the outcome will have repercussions here, too.
"Our Department of Health will generally follow the line of thinking in the UK. We believe the psychiatrists wield a disproportionate amount of power when decisions are made on what research should be funded; therefore, coping strategies which come to the fore are CBT and GET," he says.
According to Declan, after much lobbying of the previous health minister, Micheal Martin, the Health Service Executive (HSE) set up a steering group to examine the 'best care treatment pathways' for people diagnosed with ME/CFS.
"A researcher and assistant were appointed and met periodically until September 2007," Declan says. "A final draft report was compiled following interviews with ME sufferers, completed questionnaires and an examination of the international experiences in other jurisdictions. However, we were disappointed with the result.
"We felt that this report was slanted towards the psychological bias and we could not justify supporting it."
He says that without signing off on it the report, treatments remain in limbo; but he says that is better than being in hell, which would be the case if GET/CBT became the only endorsed form of treatment for ME/CFS in Ireland.
This is a point Annemarie Buckley (43), from Waterford, agrees with wholeheartedly. Having been diagnosed with ME/CFS 13 years ago, Annemarie was encouraged to exercise by her GP.
"I was delighted to do it," she says. "I joined a gym and went there with my mum. I only did a tiny bit, in about two-minute instalments, but I found that a few days later I couldn't get out of bed.
"There is a delayed reaction to exercising when you have ME but I think that it knocked my recovery back months. I believe that pacing is the only thing that works, which is listening to your body and not doing more than you can manage. I fought against my fatigue and that is the worst thing you can do."
After nearly a decade in the ME/CFS wilderness, Corina Duyn is starting to regain some freedom and is now able to leave her house with assistance from a wheelchair. She says that the condition is one of the hardest and darkest the body can take but despite this she didn't let it defeat her.
"I spent so much time alone, unable to read or even to move very much, that I began to notice my surroundings in a unique way. I think it is this that inspired much of my artwork."
Having endured so much, Corina has channelled the experience into creative projects, such as short stories and paintings, that can be viewed on her website www.littlewings.org.
At its worst, the illness caused her so much pain she needed to lie on a pile of duvets on her mattress or get a friend to build a bridge with pillows over her legs so the covers didn't inflict more pain. After her stay in hospital to investigate her condition, the physiotherapist offered her a rubber band to use for exercise.
"I have lived through this disease without any essential support. A rubber band to exercise my muscles is not going to help me overcome the physical obstacles I have to face. I feel let down by the health service."
While the medical profession continues to debate the most suitable forms of treatment for ME/CFS sufferers, new research is continually throwing more light on the condition and its possible cause.
With greater understanding of the cause comes the hopeful possibility of a cure. For many in the first grip of this potentially debilitating condition, the cure cannot come soon enough.
Irish ME/CFS Association, 01-2350965, info@irishmecfs.org
Irish ME Trust, Lo-call 1890 200 912, info@imet.ie
©Independent.ie 2009
Links:
tinyurl.com/88ewvb
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Man's Dying Wish
Man's dying wish
Three friends from the local congregation were asked, "When you're in your casket and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?"
Bob said: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader and a great family man."
Peter commented: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people's lives."
Jim said: "I'd like them to say, "Look, he's moving!
Three friends from the local congregation were asked, "When you're in your casket and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?"
Bob said: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader and a great family man."
Peter commented: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people's lives."
Jim said: "I'd like them to say, "Look, he's moving!
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Sky is the Limit
When you are teamed up with someone who loves you unconditionally, the sky is the limit. Henry David Thoreau famously said "Men only hit what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high"
The Diary of Anne Frank has just been shown on television, and it was sad, poignant and deeply moving. Prof Judith Lewis Herman of Harvard University is the internationally recognised authority on trauma. She reports that researchers studied those who survived the Nazi concentration camps and that they concluded that the unit of survival is two. What that means is that people who were on their own died, but people who were with a friend or family member survived. Obviously there are exceptions in both cases. But as a general rule, people could survive that hell if they had someone to survive it with.
The bible said as much thousands of years ago. See Ecclesiastes chapter 4 verses 9 to 12:
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
The Diary of Anne Frank has just been shown on television, and it was sad, poignant and deeply moving. Prof Judith Lewis Herman of Harvard University is the internationally recognised authority on trauma. She reports that researchers studied those who survived the Nazi concentration camps and that they concluded that the unit of survival is two. What that means is that people who were on their own died, but people who were with a friend or family member survived. Obviously there are exceptions in both cases. But as a general rule, people could survive that hell if they had someone to survive it with.
The bible said as much thousands of years ago. See Ecclesiastes chapter 4 verses 9 to 12:
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3. Are easier to train
4. Usually come when called.
5. Never drive your car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't wear your clothes
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college,
AND
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children
Dog Psychiatrist
Scent Marking for Small Dogs
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3. Are easier to train
4. Usually come when called.
5. Never drive your car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't wear your clothes
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college,
AND
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children
Dog Psychiatrist
Scent Marking for Small Dogs
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Cold Weather
It is very cold at minus 5 degrees, and there is a treacherous layer of ice on roads and pavements. Hospitals are struggling to cope with all the fractures from falls on ice. The 'flu is rampaging and doctors surgeries have been told to put 'flu sufferers in a separate waiting room, wearing surgical masks. This 'flu is severe. Most people get well spontaneously but others have complications, some of them serious. An elderly person with asthma and heart disease would suffer more than a young and healthy person. I really don't see that you can ask someone with respiratory difficulties to wear a surgical mask.
Michelle took Wendy into town for a burger today. When Wendy said she was cold, Michelle took her into George as Asda to buy gloves and ended up buying several beautiful outfits as well as the gloves. She was told that her size had blue labels and she understood and went and selected the things she wanted in her size. Then Michelle brought her home on a bus, which is her favourite means of transport. Going on a bus is an enormous treat for her and she was full of excitement and bursting with news when they got back. Auntie Michelle had spoiled her rotten and loved every minute of it.
When they went home, Wendy was dressed warmly because of the extreme cold. This is what she looked like:
Caelyn is very tired and the new baby is lying awkwardly, so she is more uncomfortable than other women at 5 months. She is so willing and she tries so hard but keeping up with Wendy would exhaust anyone, plus she is a good wife to Nigel and a good housewife. But she tires easily and she pushes herself too hard. Her body is crying out for rest that is unattainable, poor kid. And she is so good with Wendy, and talks to her so nicely - firmly when necessary and clearly, but always kindly. Wendy being a very bright little button has to be watched closely during every waking moment. She's a great kid with a natural curiosity. She wants to explore her world and experiment in it, and it isn't always safe, so she needs adult eyes on her all the time. She has blessed our family so much and we all love her to bits.
Michelle took Wendy into town for a burger today. When Wendy said she was cold, Michelle took her into George as Asda to buy gloves and ended up buying several beautiful outfits as well as the gloves. She was told that her size had blue labels and she understood and went and selected the things she wanted in her size. Then Michelle brought her home on a bus, which is her favourite means of transport. Going on a bus is an enormous treat for her and she was full of excitement and bursting with news when they got back. Auntie Michelle had spoiled her rotten and loved every minute of it.
When they went home, Wendy was dressed warmly because of the extreme cold. This is what she looked like:
Caelyn is very tired and the new baby is lying awkwardly, so she is more uncomfortable than other women at 5 months. She is so willing and she tries so hard but keeping up with Wendy would exhaust anyone, plus she is a good wife to Nigel and a good housewife. But she tires easily and she pushes herself too hard. Her body is crying out for rest that is unattainable, poor kid. And she is so good with Wendy, and talks to her so nicely - firmly when necessary and clearly, but always kindly. Wendy being a very bright little button has to be watched closely during every waking moment. She's a great kid with a natural curiosity. She wants to explore her world and experiment in it, and it isn't always safe, so she needs adult eyes on her all the time. She has blessed our family so much and we all love her to bits.
Friday, January 09, 2009
More State Snooping
The BBC reports in more detail on more state snooping.
I will copy and paste a few snippets here below:
Rules forcing internet companies to keep details of every e-mail sent in the UK are a waste of money and an attack on civil liberties, say critics.
From March all internet service providers (ISPs) will by law have to keep information about every e-mail sent or received in the UK for a year.
Human rights group Liberty says it is worried what will happen next.
Dr Richard Clayton, a security researcher at the University of Cambridge's computer lab, said the money could have been better spent. He said: "There's going to be a record of every single e-mail which arrived addressed to you and all the e-mails you sent out via your ISP. That, of course, includes all the spam."
The rules already apply to telephone companies, which routinely hold much of the data for billing. The Earl of Northesk, a Conservative peer on the House of Lords science and technology committee, said it meant anyone's movements could be traced 24 hours a day.
This degree of storage is equivalent to having access to every second, every minute, every hour of your life," he said. "People have to worry about the scale, the virtuality of your life being exposed to about 500 public authorities.
Under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, privacy is a fundamental right... it is important to protect the principle of privacy because once you've lost it, it's very difficult to recover."
The Home Office said the data was a vital tool for investigation and intelligence gathering. "It will allow investigators to identify suspects, examine their contacts, establish relationships between conspirators and place them in a specific location at a certain time.
Data can be accessed by more than 600 public bodies, such as the police and councils, if they make a valid request.
More BBC stories here
And here
This one mentions LETTERS
I will copy and paste a few snippets here below:
Rules forcing internet companies to keep details of every e-mail sent in the UK are a waste of money and an attack on civil liberties, say critics.
From March all internet service providers (ISPs) will by law have to keep information about every e-mail sent or received in the UK for a year.
Human rights group Liberty says it is worried what will happen next.
Dr Richard Clayton, a security researcher at the University of Cambridge's computer lab, said the money could have been better spent. He said: "There's going to be a record of every single e-mail which arrived addressed to you and all the e-mails you sent out via your ISP. That, of course, includes all the spam."
The rules already apply to telephone companies, which routinely hold much of the data for billing. The Earl of Northesk, a Conservative peer on the House of Lords science and technology committee, said it meant anyone's movements could be traced 24 hours a day.
This degree of storage is equivalent to having access to every second, every minute, every hour of your life," he said. "People have to worry about the scale, the virtuality of your life being exposed to about 500 public authorities.
Under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, privacy is a fundamental right... it is important to protect the principle of privacy because once you've lost it, it's very difficult to recover."
The Home Office said the data was a vital tool for investigation and intelligence gathering. "It will allow investigators to identify suspects, examine their contacts, establish relationships between conspirators and place them in a specific location at a certain time.
Data can be accessed by more than 600 public bodies, such as the police and councils, if they make a valid request.
More BBC stories here
And here
This one mentions LETTERS
A Mitzvah (or blessed Gift)
Everyone who knows me knows how much I enjoy taking snapshots and then manipulating the digital images on my computer. The other day my camera slipped out of my hand because I was concentrating on making tea and wasn't thinking about the camera in my other hand. The lens was still out and it was buckled and wouldn't retract so the camera wouldn't work. I was upset but very quickly realised that if a material thing means too much to you, you probably shouldn't have it. The bible tells us not to store up treasure here on earth where moths, rust and thieves can get them, but rather to store up treasure for yourself in heaven by doing kind deeds in secret.
Today, I took the camera into the camera shop to see if it could be repaired. It couldn't. The man said that as digital camera specifications go up and the prices come down, it costs more to repair an ordinary digital camera than to buy a new one. Of course its different for professional photographer's cameras, but the ordinary ones people like me have can't be repaired. I was quite dejected because at the moment I look like a sheepdog because I can't afford to have my hair cut, so a new digital camera would be completely unattainable. I'm expecting a new grandchild in May and couldn't see a way of replacing the camera by then.
When I got back home, I decided that if the camera couldn't be repaired anyway, I had nothing to lose by forcing the lens casing back in. Much to my astonishment and delight, it went back in, then out again. It was working!!! I took a photo to make sure, and yes, it works!! I'm thrilled to bits and very very happy. I feel blessed and spoiled and as if a wonderful and unexpected gift had been sent my way.
I couldn't be so lucky twice, so I will make a resolution to do one thing at a time. I no longer have the ability to do several things at once, so from now on my philosophy will be "one at a time is good fishing"
Today, I took the camera into the camera shop to see if it could be repaired. It couldn't. The man said that as digital camera specifications go up and the prices come down, it costs more to repair an ordinary digital camera than to buy a new one. Of course its different for professional photographer's cameras, but the ordinary ones people like me have can't be repaired. I was quite dejected because at the moment I look like a sheepdog because I can't afford to have my hair cut, so a new digital camera would be completely unattainable. I'm expecting a new grandchild in May and couldn't see a way of replacing the camera by then.
When I got back home, I decided that if the camera couldn't be repaired anyway, I had nothing to lose by forcing the lens casing back in. Much to my astonishment and delight, it went back in, then out again. It was working!!! I took a photo to make sure, and yes, it works!! I'm thrilled to bits and very very happy. I feel blessed and spoiled and as if a wonderful and unexpected gift had been sent my way.
I couldn't be so lucky twice, so I will make a resolution to do one thing at a time. I no longer have the ability to do several things at once, so from now on my philosophy will be "one at a time is good fishing"
Thursday, January 08, 2009
M.E Resolutions
[A version of this letter appeared as Battle to beat 'yuppie flu' in the Bristol Evening Post, 5 January 2009]
Our primary resolution, in 2009, for people affected by M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) is to render "Yuppie flu" as extinct as the dodo.
We resolve to make people more aware of this dreadfully disabling illness, not just once a year, on M.E. Awareness Day in May, but on every one of the other 364 days, by properly educating people, who may have had no experience as a sufferer, carer, doctor, friend or neighbour, with the facts as we know them: that it is not mere tiredness; it is certainly not laziness or malingering, in people who were previously healthy and had a good work or school record but is a serious neurological illness with a range of symptoms of varying severity, including permanent muscle pain, cognitive dysfunction and dizziness, which "chronic fatigue" alone does not encompass and we'll show you how it devastates lives, isolates people, fractures relationships, breaks hearts and even takes life itself away from some poor souls. We shall no longer be slighted by ignorance.
We all agree that we need a definitive diagnostic test - perhaps a blood test or a scan - to identify M.E. as a distinct illness and that's our goal. Since there is no public funding to conduct crucial biomedical research, we are resolved to do it ourselves, for nothing but the willing, voluntary labour of those who have some background in research and the assistance of those who may not have any experience but are keen to help. We already have some members in our team, who are skilled in experimental design and statistical analysis but we want more people of all sorts - not only boffins and eggheads - committed to serious biomedical research that is so desperately needed.
In the meantime, we resolve to provide as much support for M.E. sufferers, especially those who are isolated and housebound. You can get in touch with us in every known way: write, e-mail, phone and, now, Skype, which is mushrooming, since we launched our service especially for Christmas. Skype is free to computer broadband users. It's easy to install from www.skype.com but if you can't work it out, contact us and we'll get you started. The basics are free but for less than £20, you can add a web cam and let people see you (unless you're having a bad hair day!) and you can switch it off whenever you want. You can talk about anything you like, including this awful illness, or about any problems, such as benefits, with people who understand because they're in the same boat. If you haven't got much of a voice yourself, or feel out of your depth, with doctors or civil servants and need someone to speak for you, we'll find someone to help you through it. There'll be time for some fun too.
We'll also tell you straight what are the best things, in our experience and in the light of reliable research, to do and whether you should avoid certain treatments and questionable advice, which may do you no good, might even make you worse and will almost certainly make you poorer for no benefit to your health.
These are our resolutions for 2009 and will be for every year until we succeed, on behalf of hundreds of thousands of people in this country and millions throughout the World.
If you can help us in any way - with administration, computer work, the research, advocacy, being a listening ear, making the tea, or anything else we could use - or if you are one of the people who needs the help, get in touch today and make our resolutions become reality.
Yours sincerely
Dr John H Greensmith
ME Free For All. org
Our primary resolution, in 2009, for people affected by M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) is to render "Yuppie flu" as extinct as the dodo.
We resolve to make people more aware of this dreadfully disabling illness, not just once a year, on M.E. Awareness Day in May, but on every one of the other 364 days, by properly educating people, who may have had no experience as a sufferer, carer, doctor, friend or neighbour, with the facts as we know them: that it is not mere tiredness; it is certainly not laziness or malingering, in people who were previously healthy and had a good work or school record but is a serious neurological illness with a range of symptoms of varying severity, including permanent muscle pain, cognitive dysfunction and dizziness, which "chronic fatigue" alone does not encompass and we'll show you how it devastates lives, isolates people, fractures relationships, breaks hearts and even takes life itself away from some poor souls. We shall no longer be slighted by ignorance.
We all agree that we need a definitive diagnostic test - perhaps a blood test or a scan - to identify M.E. as a distinct illness and that's our goal. Since there is no public funding to conduct crucial biomedical research, we are resolved to do it ourselves, for nothing but the willing, voluntary labour of those who have some background in research and the assistance of those who may not have any experience but are keen to help. We already have some members in our team, who are skilled in experimental design and statistical analysis but we want more people of all sorts - not only boffins and eggheads - committed to serious biomedical research that is so desperately needed.
In the meantime, we resolve to provide as much support for M.E. sufferers, especially those who are isolated and housebound. You can get in touch with us in every known way: write, e-mail, phone and, now, Skype, which is mushrooming, since we launched our service especially for Christmas. Skype is free to computer broadband users. It's easy to install from www.skype.com but if you can't work it out, contact us and we'll get you started. The basics are free but for less than £20, you can add a web cam and let people see you (unless you're having a bad hair day!) and you can switch it off whenever you want. You can talk about anything you like, including this awful illness, or about any problems, such as benefits, with people who understand because they're in the same boat. If you haven't got much of a voice yourself, or feel out of your depth, with doctors or civil servants and need someone to speak for you, we'll find someone to help you through it. There'll be time for some fun too.
We'll also tell you straight what are the best things, in our experience and in the light of reliable research, to do and whether you should avoid certain treatments and questionable advice, which may do you no good, might even make you worse and will almost certainly make you poorer for no benefit to your health.
These are our resolutions for 2009 and will be for every year until we succeed, on behalf of hundreds of thousands of people in this country and millions throughout the World.
If you can help us in any way - with administration, computer work, the research, advocacy, being a listening ear, making the tea, or anything else we could use - or if you are one of the people who needs the help, get in touch today and make our resolutions become reality.
Yours sincerely
Dr John H Greensmith
ME Free For All. org
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Mother's Hair
My mother popped in to see me after visiting the hairdresser, and I took these photos. Unfortunately the camera broke so there won't be any more photos for a while.
And here are some edited versions. I have put my mother in a Puppet Theatre because she does Christian Puppet Shows during school assemblies.
And here are some edited versions. I have put my mother in a Puppet Theatre because she does Christian Puppet Shows during school assemblies.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Irresistible!
I was browsing through some of my older photos and came across this one of Wendy terrorising Sean (who was very kindly reading to her) with a snake. I just love the facial expressions.
Snow Queen
The temperature is currently minus 5, and if that wasn't bad enough, the wind is howling. If you ask me, the best place to be is on an electric blanket with a good book, tea, chocolate and a couple of cats. Yet one member of the family loves snow, and likes going outdoors no matter what the weather, so it is good that she has such a cosy snow suit.
The picture above this one was created from this photograph:
Doing this sort of thing with pictures is a happy and absorbing hobby for me, and I started it by accident. I'm glad I did, because it has given me a lot of pleasure over the past few years. Best of all, when my illness confines me to bed, I can do things with pictures on my laptop as the effects of the relapse start waning.
Caelyn and Nigel
Caelyn's baby must have been lying on a nerve because her left leg went from under her and she fell. Nigel has banned her from going outside in the ice and snow.
My mother picked Wendy up at 10am and took her to Kids Planet. Wendy was so upset to have to leave the place at 2pm that she had a tantrum. She will be back in nursery school tomorrow. She loves it there, and Caelyn loves having a bit of peace to rest or catch up with housework or to read a book. She should enjoy this phase of pregnancy because after the new baby arrives she will be busy even when Wendy is at school, and that busy-ness will last for several years until the new baby is ready to go to Nursery school. Having a child is a 24 hour a day job, which is why mothers of young children get tired.
Nigel is having nasty tummy troubles again and had to go to the after hours GP service at the hospital last night. Seadoc said that the condition was not sufficiently severe to warrant immediate hospital admission but Nigel has to see his GP because he needs further tests. You can see he isn't well as his face is very pale and he looks tired and unwell. Get well soon, Nigel dear. He went to college yesterday because his attendance hasn't been good due to health problems, and if he misses too much, the college won't allow him to write qualifying exams.
The reason he is studying is to plug a hole in his CV. He was fired from his last job because of sickness absence and he couldn't get another job until he had seen a Consultant and had his medical problems under control, but the waiting list to see the Consultant was almost a year, and that was for 'Urgent' cases. If you are unemployed because of health problems, you won't be able to get a job until the problems are resolved. Nigel realised this, which is why he has been studying. He hopes that his health issues will be under control by the time he qualifies so that he can get a good job. He worked consistently for years until he fell ill, and when he was working, he paid his taxes and his National Insurance monies. It is hardly his fault that gastrointestinal provision in this area is so poor. Nigel is doing what he can, but for the situation to come right, other people or organisations need to do what they ought to do, because Nigel is in an impossible situation through no fault of his own.
And the people who love him hate to see his pinched pale and pain filled face. He used to ask his GP about his Consultant appointment but it took so long that he became disheartened and eventually stopped asking. Perhaps the GP thought that when he stopped complaining that the matter had spontaneously resolved itself. Also, he changed GPs when the family moved so perhaps the referral is in File 13 somewhere. I'm going to start nagging now because this ridiculous situation has gone on quite long enough already.
Michelle
A while ago, Michelle asked her employer if she could do more day shifts and less 24hr sleepover shifts, and it was agreed that her new shift pattern would start from 5 January. It has started, and Michelle is pleased even though she will earn a lot less money. Money isn't everything though, and I'm glad she hasn't allowed money to be the deciding factor as she makes choices about her well being and lifestyle.
She is finishing off her NVQ and she has asked me to type it for her. If my typing school teacher could only see me now! I failed typing with the lowest possible mark of 0 to 19%! My fingers just wouldn't hit the keys in order and I was told that I was welcome to study other subjects during typing classes because the teacher and I both knew I wasn't going to pass. The condition was that I had to promise not to take a secretarial job!
My abysmal typing was the reason I was terrified of computers. I thought if I couldn't operate an old manual Olivetti, which was a simple machine, there was no way I could learn computing which was much more complicated. In 2003, I bought a computer for the kids' school work, and they tried to teach me to use it. I kept having to ask for help and they used to say "Come on, Mum, you can't be that thick. You're putting it on to wind us up". I took myself off to an Adult Education computing class and now my computer skills are better than theirs, and they ask me how to do things now.
When I learned to write, it was with a fat pencil. After a few years, we were taught to write with those wooden pens with nibs that had to be dipped into an inkwell and mopped up with blotting paper. The class Monitor would go round each morning and fill the inkwells with Stephens blue/black ink. It had such a distinctive smell and with the smell of chalk it made a typical 'school smell'. Later on we were allowed to use fountain pens but ballpoint pens were banned throughout my school career as it was thought they 'ruined your handwriting'. To get from inkwells to using a computer is major progress, isn't it?
The picture above this one was created from this photograph:
Doing this sort of thing with pictures is a happy and absorbing hobby for me, and I started it by accident. I'm glad I did, because it has given me a lot of pleasure over the past few years. Best of all, when my illness confines me to bed, I can do things with pictures on my laptop as the effects of the relapse start waning.
Caelyn and Nigel
Caelyn's baby must have been lying on a nerve because her left leg went from under her and she fell. Nigel has banned her from going outside in the ice and snow.
My mother picked Wendy up at 10am and took her to Kids Planet. Wendy was so upset to have to leave the place at 2pm that she had a tantrum. She will be back in nursery school tomorrow. She loves it there, and Caelyn loves having a bit of peace to rest or catch up with housework or to read a book. She should enjoy this phase of pregnancy because after the new baby arrives she will be busy even when Wendy is at school, and that busy-ness will last for several years until the new baby is ready to go to Nursery school. Having a child is a 24 hour a day job, which is why mothers of young children get tired.
Nigel is having nasty tummy troubles again and had to go to the after hours GP service at the hospital last night. Seadoc said that the condition was not sufficiently severe to warrant immediate hospital admission but Nigel has to see his GP because he needs further tests. You can see he isn't well as his face is very pale and he looks tired and unwell. Get well soon, Nigel dear. He went to college yesterday because his attendance hasn't been good due to health problems, and if he misses too much, the college won't allow him to write qualifying exams.
The reason he is studying is to plug a hole in his CV. He was fired from his last job because of sickness absence and he couldn't get another job until he had seen a Consultant and had his medical problems under control, but the waiting list to see the Consultant was almost a year, and that was for 'Urgent' cases. If you are unemployed because of health problems, you won't be able to get a job until the problems are resolved. Nigel realised this, which is why he has been studying. He hopes that his health issues will be under control by the time he qualifies so that he can get a good job. He worked consistently for years until he fell ill, and when he was working, he paid his taxes and his National Insurance monies. It is hardly his fault that gastrointestinal provision in this area is so poor. Nigel is doing what he can, but for the situation to come right, other people or organisations need to do what they ought to do, because Nigel is in an impossible situation through no fault of his own.
And the people who love him hate to see his pinched pale and pain filled face. He used to ask his GP about his Consultant appointment but it took so long that he became disheartened and eventually stopped asking. Perhaps the GP thought that when he stopped complaining that the matter had spontaneously resolved itself. Also, he changed GPs when the family moved so perhaps the referral is in File 13 somewhere. I'm going to start nagging now because this ridiculous situation has gone on quite long enough already.
Michelle
A while ago, Michelle asked her employer if she could do more day shifts and less 24hr sleepover shifts, and it was agreed that her new shift pattern would start from 5 January. It has started, and Michelle is pleased even though she will earn a lot less money. Money isn't everything though, and I'm glad she hasn't allowed money to be the deciding factor as she makes choices about her well being and lifestyle.
She is finishing off her NVQ and she has asked me to type it for her. If my typing school teacher could only see me now! I failed typing with the lowest possible mark of 0 to 19%! My fingers just wouldn't hit the keys in order and I was told that I was welcome to study other subjects during typing classes because the teacher and I both knew I wasn't going to pass. The condition was that I had to promise not to take a secretarial job!
My abysmal typing was the reason I was terrified of computers. I thought if I couldn't operate an old manual Olivetti, which was a simple machine, there was no way I could learn computing which was much more complicated. In 2003, I bought a computer for the kids' school work, and they tried to teach me to use it. I kept having to ask for help and they used to say "Come on, Mum, you can't be that thick. You're putting it on to wind us up". I took myself off to an Adult Education computing class and now my computer skills are better than theirs, and they ask me how to do things now.
When I learned to write, it was with a fat pencil. After a few years, we were taught to write with those wooden pens with nibs that had to be dipped into an inkwell and mopped up with blotting paper. The class Monitor would go round each morning and fill the inkwells with Stephens blue/black ink. It had such a distinctive smell and with the smell of chalk it made a typical 'school smell'. Later on we were allowed to use fountain pens but ballpoint pens were banned throughout my school career as it was thought they 'ruined your handwriting'. To get from inkwells to using a computer is major progress, isn't it?
Monday, January 05, 2009
Home for Retired Missionaries
A Care Home for retired Missionaries loses its Council funding because the management won't ask the old people about their sexual orientation.
Here is the story
I am a retired Nursing sister, and there is no way I would embarrass old people in my care by asking them things like that. It is disrespectful and emotionally abusive and I would refuse to have anything to do with such an outrage against their dignity.
If someone wanted to talk to me in a professional capacity about this sort of thing, I would listen attentively and non judgementally. But to go out of your way to ask the elderly, who grew up in a far stricter world about matters such as these, smacks of intrusive prurience and voyeurism to me.
Why is Dignity disregarded these days? Why is there no respect? Who comes up with these ideas?
Here is the story
I am a retired Nursing sister, and there is no way I would embarrass old people in my care by asking them things like that. It is disrespectful and emotionally abusive and I would refuse to have anything to do with such an outrage against their dignity.
If someone wanted to talk to me in a professional capacity about this sort of thing, I would listen attentively and non judgementally. But to go out of your way to ask the elderly, who grew up in a far stricter world about matters such as these, smacks of intrusive prurience and voyeurism to me.
Why is Dignity disregarded these days? Why is there no respect? Who comes up with these ideas?
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Spying on Citizens
We keep hearing about the Government wanting to keep records of our internet visits, emails and phone calls. I came across these two articles today. Make of them what you will:-
Government to log every phone call, email and text
The UK government is planning a huge database that would hold details of all phone calls, text messages, emails and internet use of every UK citizen.
The database is being touted as a way to combat terrorism and will be introduced in a new Communications Data Bill planned for the Queen's Speech in November.
Information would be held for 12 months and could be accessed by police and security services in possession of a court order.
"We have warned before that we are sleepwalking into a surveillance society, " said assistant Information Commissioner Jonathan Bamford.
"Holding large collections of data is always risky. The more data that is collected and stored, the bigger the problem when the data is lost, traded or stolen.
"Defeating crime and terrorism is of the utmost importance, but we are not aware of any pressing need to justify the government holding this sort of data. "
Technology companies have been quick to challenge the move, pointing out that such a vast database would be immensely difficult to manage, would be a boon to identity thieves and would do little to counter terrorism.
Jamie Cowper, a data protection and encryption expert at PGP Corporation, said: "You have to admire the government's gall in attempting to bring in yet another 'super-database' with public confidence still in tatters over recent data lapses.
"Surely it would be more logical to focus on fixing the existing databases and proving their security before introducing new ones.
"The bottom line is that information of this nature should only be held if it can be demonstrated that an appropriate system of checks and balances is in place and the security of the information being stored is of paramount concern. "
The unprecedented amount of data to be stored and analysed has raised particular concerns.
Over 50 billion text messages are sent each year in the UK, and over three billion emails are sent every day.
"The database would have to manage exponentially growing volumes of 'unstructured' data," said Chris Dean, director at independent IT consultancy DWM Group.
"The huge amount of information generated by emails, phone calls and web browsing will make the task of collating and retrieving information on demand enormous.
"Unless very carefully designed [this database] could become a white elephant because of performance problems."
The proposals will face a rough ride getting through parliament. Shadow Home Secretary David Davis has referred to the database as more of a threat than a support in stopping crime, and Liberal Democrats have pledged to fight the moves.
"Ministers have taken leave of their senses if they think that this proposal is compatible with a free country and a free people," said Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne.
"Given its appalling track record of data loss, this government simply cannot be trusted with private information. This is an Orwellian step too far."
Also see
UK government to outsource internet tracking
Official 'spying' requests top 500,000
Government May Hand Over Web-to-Phone Database To Private Firm To Cut Costs
New year, new database madness
Private firm may track all email and calls
Government to log every phone call, email and text
The UK government is planning a huge database that would hold details of all phone calls, text messages, emails and internet use of every UK citizen.
The database is being touted as a way to combat terrorism and will be introduced in a new Communications Data Bill planned for the Queen's Speech in November.
Information would be held for 12 months and could be accessed by police and security services in possession of a court order.
"We have warned before that we are sleepwalking into a surveillance society, " said assistant Information Commissioner Jonathan Bamford.
"Holding large collections of data is always risky. The more data that is collected and stored, the bigger the problem when the data is lost, traded or stolen.
"Defeating crime and terrorism is of the utmost importance, but we are not aware of any pressing need to justify the government holding this sort of data. "
Technology companies have been quick to challenge the move, pointing out that such a vast database would be immensely difficult to manage, would be a boon to identity thieves and would do little to counter terrorism.
Jamie Cowper, a data protection and encryption expert at PGP Corporation, said: "You have to admire the government's gall in attempting to bring in yet another 'super-database' with public confidence still in tatters over recent data lapses.
"Surely it would be more logical to focus on fixing the existing databases and proving their security before introducing new ones.
"The bottom line is that information of this nature should only be held if it can be demonstrated that an appropriate system of checks and balances is in place and the security of the information being stored is of paramount concern. "
The unprecedented amount of data to be stored and analysed has raised particular concerns.
Over 50 billion text messages are sent each year in the UK, and over three billion emails are sent every day.
"The database would have to manage exponentially growing volumes of 'unstructured' data," said Chris Dean, director at independent IT consultancy DWM Group.
"The huge amount of information generated by emails, phone calls and web browsing will make the task of collating and retrieving information on demand enormous.
"Unless very carefully designed [this database] could become a white elephant because of performance problems."
The proposals will face a rough ride getting through parliament. Shadow Home Secretary David Davis has referred to the database as more of a threat than a support in stopping crime, and Liberal Democrats have pledged to fight the moves.
"Ministers have taken leave of their senses if they think that this proposal is compatible with a free country and a free people," said Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne.
"Given its appalling track record of data loss, this government simply cannot be trusted with private information. This is an Orwellian step too far."
Also see
UK government to outsource internet tracking
Official 'spying' requests top 500,000
Government May Hand Over Web-to-Phone Database To Private Firm To Cut Costs
New year, new database madness
Private firm may track all email and calls
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Odds and Ends
Sean and I went to look at a lounge suite he had seen in Folkestone, and he has ordered two new armchairs. They are hand made by a company in Stroud so there was no problem when he asked for them to be an inch higher than the showroom model.
While we were out we noticed that the puddles were still frozen. It is very cold now.
We took some stuff to the municipal Tip - an old computer, a broken vacuum cleaner, some cardboard boxes, an old pram. It is a relief to get rid of it, but I'm still feeling 'cluttered' so I will sort out more stuff that must get out of my house. At the moment, a lot of junk is piled on top of cupboards, mostly to get it out of Wendy's reach. But I am seriously fed up with junk and clutter and it will have to go.
Yesterday I felt quite unwell. I'd be up for a bit, then feel woozy and have to sit down. Even so, I got a fair bit done before Sean came. All was well until I mashed the potatoes. I kept having to stop because my arm wouldn't work. It took ages and then I had to lie down and ask Kate to serve up. I woke up today feeling that I ought to be careful, and I was, but oh dear, I feel awful now. I'm having severe nausea and stomach cramps, plus exhaustion and malaise. I will have to have a day in bed tomorrow. I feel stupid having such an extreme reaction to something as silly as mashing some potatoes! Its so annoying. I'll have to pull my activities right back and slowly build up again. Experience has shown that is the quickest and easiest way out of a relapse.
One thing I did do was this picture of Kate and Sean. I did it in bed on my laptop. The laptop has proved a godsend for times when I'm in bed.
This is the original photo the above came from:
The photo of Wendy cooking chips in the post below this one I made into a postcard and posted it to her Oupa Andy in South Africa. He will get in in a week or so. I was really encouraged by the Christmas cards he sent to the girls and I, and the parcel he and his wife sent for Wendy. Now I know that they actually get the photos, I'm more committed to sending them. Before that, I felt I was sending things into some black hole, so I didn't do it very often. They sent a sweet bear for Wendy and Kate has put it aside for when she is older because it is too good to be ruined, but the other stuff in the parcel - girlie hair stuff and that sort of thing - she loved. It was the perfect choice for her, and it was very nice of them, especially as the South African rand isn't doing too well against the pound. Proportionally, it cost them a lot of money and the gesture is very much appreciated. Annie would have had a big hand in it and it was kind of her. Annie, if you ever see this, THANK YOU. It was big hearted and generous spirited of you.
While we were out we noticed that the puddles were still frozen. It is very cold now.
We took some stuff to the municipal Tip - an old computer, a broken vacuum cleaner, some cardboard boxes, an old pram. It is a relief to get rid of it, but I'm still feeling 'cluttered' so I will sort out more stuff that must get out of my house. At the moment, a lot of junk is piled on top of cupboards, mostly to get it out of Wendy's reach. But I am seriously fed up with junk and clutter and it will have to go.
Yesterday I felt quite unwell. I'd be up for a bit, then feel woozy and have to sit down. Even so, I got a fair bit done before Sean came. All was well until I mashed the potatoes. I kept having to stop because my arm wouldn't work. It took ages and then I had to lie down and ask Kate to serve up. I woke up today feeling that I ought to be careful, and I was, but oh dear, I feel awful now. I'm having severe nausea and stomach cramps, plus exhaustion and malaise. I will have to have a day in bed tomorrow. I feel stupid having such an extreme reaction to something as silly as mashing some potatoes! Its so annoying. I'll have to pull my activities right back and slowly build up again. Experience has shown that is the quickest and easiest way out of a relapse.
One thing I did do was this picture of Kate and Sean. I did it in bed on my laptop. The laptop has proved a godsend for times when I'm in bed.
This is the original photo the above came from:
The photo of Wendy cooking chips in the post below this one I made into a postcard and posted it to her Oupa Andy in South Africa. He will get in in a week or so. I was really encouraged by the Christmas cards he sent to the girls and I, and the parcel he and his wife sent for Wendy. Now I know that they actually get the photos, I'm more committed to sending them. Before that, I felt I was sending things into some black hole, so I didn't do it very often. They sent a sweet bear for Wendy and Kate has put it aside for when she is older because it is too good to be ruined, but the other stuff in the parcel - girlie hair stuff and that sort of thing - she loved. It was the perfect choice for her, and it was very nice of them, especially as the South African rand isn't doing too well against the pound. Proportionally, it cost them a lot of money and the gesture is very much appreciated. Annie would have had a big hand in it and it was kind of her. Annie, if you ever see this, THANK YOU. It was big hearted and generous spirited of you.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Happy New Year
Well, the New Year has arrived and many people are apprehensive due to the economic climate. Things look grim, yet the world has survived worse. We must remember to count our blessings each and every day. It is too easy to focus on the difficult part of life and we must resist that temptation by taking charge of our thought life. This is what St Paul says about it:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)
My mother arrived back from South Africa on Wednesday, and she had wheelchair assistance at both Airports. Then she had to get out of the wheelchair to get to the parking area, and she fell down on all fours by the escalator and couldn't get up. The man who was picking her up had to help her. She had a minor cut on her arm and she hurt her knee. When she got home she turned the heating on and got a blanket and she and her cat Jenny had a very pleasant and restful afternoon in her armchair. It will be a while before she catches up with herself though.
Wendy wanted to see her so she came over yesterday afternoon. Wendy was very excited; she had been waiting outside for her. Mum bought Christmas presents and one of the things was a set of toy saucepans. Wendy filled them with crisps and crushed them, then began spoonfeeding my Mum until she felt sick. I had had some crisps and dip earlier and I shouldn't have done that because it upsets my digestion every time. So my poor old mum was spoonfed dip, yukky flavoured crisps, potato skins, chocolate and heaven alone knows what else. Makes me queasy just thinking about it.
Here is a pic of my mum in her suffering:
Wendy loves that steering wheel, by the way. But most of all she wanted the stuff that would allow her to go swimming - a bright towel, a swimming bag, a ball, arm bands etc. Woozle can't wait to go swimming again. She will have to wait a few days for her Great Grandmother to recuperate from her flight.
And here is our little Woozle mixing those crisps in the toy saucepans ready to feed Josie with them. Just typing about it makes me feel rather green. I need to get off the computer now because I have a house to de-Woozle and clean because Sean is coming this afternoon. He has spotted a lounge suite he wants a closer look at.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)
My mother arrived back from South Africa on Wednesday, and she had wheelchair assistance at both Airports. Then she had to get out of the wheelchair to get to the parking area, and she fell down on all fours by the escalator and couldn't get up. The man who was picking her up had to help her. She had a minor cut on her arm and she hurt her knee. When she got home she turned the heating on and got a blanket and she and her cat Jenny had a very pleasant and restful afternoon in her armchair. It will be a while before she catches up with herself though.
Wendy wanted to see her so she came over yesterday afternoon. Wendy was very excited; she had been waiting outside for her. Mum bought Christmas presents and one of the things was a set of toy saucepans. Wendy filled them with crisps and crushed them, then began spoonfeeding my Mum until she felt sick. I had had some crisps and dip earlier and I shouldn't have done that because it upsets my digestion every time. So my poor old mum was spoonfed dip, yukky flavoured crisps, potato skins, chocolate and heaven alone knows what else. Makes me queasy just thinking about it.
Here is a pic of my mum in her suffering:
Wendy loves that steering wheel, by the way. But most of all she wanted the stuff that would allow her to go swimming - a bright towel, a swimming bag, a ball, arm bands etc. Woozle can't wait to go swimming again. She will have to wait a few days for her Great Grandmother to recuperate from her flight.
And here is our little Woozle mixing those crisps in the toy saucepans ready to feed Josie with them. Just typing about it makes me feel rather green. I need to get off the computer now because I have a house to de-Woozle and clean because Sean is coming this afternoon. He has spotted a lounge suite he wants a closer look at.
We have a new baby to look forward to this year.
We would like to wish all our friends and family many blessings and much happiness in 2009.
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