Globe Theatre for 'As you like it'

Sean's secretaries gave him two tickets to see Shakespeare's comedy 'As you like it' at London's Globe Theatre as a birthday present.

This is the third incarnation of the Globe. The first, which Shakespeare worked in, was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt only to be vandalised by Cromwell's Puritan thugs. It has been rebuilt once more, as close to the original design as possible.

It is open air but sheltered. A canopy extends over the stage and the tiered seating for the audience is under cover too. People can buy tickets to allow them to stand to watch the performance, but they are not under a roof so they could get wet if it rained.

Here is Sean looking happy as we are about to go in.



This shows how the Globe is both open air and sheltered



The stage, with the standing audience watching


There are more photos here

Breaking News: ME Researchers discover Major Cause of ME

BREAKING NEWS: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Cause, Mechanism & Diagnostic Test Discovered, Researchers Say
Friday May 29, 2009

This could be the biggest news ever concerning chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS). Prominent ME/CFS researcher Kenny de Meirleir announced that he and his Belgian research team have uncovered a major cause of ME/CFS and a major underlying mechanism of the condition. What's more, he says they've also developed a simple and inexpensive home test kit for ME/CFS.

The Cause & Mechanism

According to Dr. de Meirleir, a major cause of ME/CFS is a high level of the chemical hydrogen sulphate (H2S). H2S can build up after antibiotic use, salmonella infection, or too much mercury exposure.

H2S is a potent neurotoxin that can cause photophobia (fear of light), noise intolerance, mitochondrial dysfunction, a depressed immune system, and an abnormally low white blood cell count. H2S production may be further increased by the interaction of certain bacteria (which previous research links to ME/CFS) and metals in the body.

H2S can lead to changes in liver mitochondria that limit the liver's ability to filter out heavy metals, especially mercury. Mercury is a known neurotoxin that can lead cells to destroy themselves (apoptosis) and interferes with the cells' ability to utilize oxygen.

The Most Disabled

Dr. de Meirleir also says the bodies of those who are most disabled by ME/CFS have begun to develop aberrant prions. Normal prions are harmless proteins, but aberrant prions can cause disease even though they're not viral bacterial or fungal. Prions are believed to be involved in several degenerative brain diseases, including mad cow, Creutzfeldt-Jacob, and possibly some cases of Alzheimer's.

Aberrant prions can spread disease, so this finding could account for reported outbreaks of ME/CFS. About 10% of bedridden patients had high prion levels in their saliva.

The Test

Dr. de Meirleir says the ME/CFS diagnostic test accurately shows whether you have high levels of hydrogen sulphate in your urine. It's a simple color-change test, similar to what's commonly used in home pregnancy tests. It will soon be available from Dr. de Meirleir's company Protea Biopharma.


http://tinyurl.com/mudk9m (Link to first page. More pages are accessed by links at the bottom of the page.)

Grandparent/Grandchild moments

A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties. "They use him to keep crowds back," said one child. "No," said another. "He's just for good luck." A third child brought the argument to a close."They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrants."

She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!" I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye...

A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story. "What's it about?" he asked. "I don't know," she replied. "I can't read."

I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last, she headed for the door, saying, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these, yourself!"

A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today." The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. "That's interesting," she said, "how do you make babies?" "It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'."

8 Days Old

Here is little Teresa Jayne at 8 days old.  Isn't she lovely?

And one with her mum and big sister

Brak and Woozle have always been good friends.



Here he is taking over responsibility for watching over Teresa too. He is fantastic with kids, but he hates adult men, especially if they wear black shoes or trainers. I have no idea why he objects to them so much, but he goes for their ankles whenever he gets a chance.

Open Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Dear Mr. Darling,

Please find below my suggestion for fixing Britain's economy. Instead of giving billions of pounds to banks that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan :

There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force. - Pay them £1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Twenty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.
2) They MUST buy a new British CAR. Twenty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.
3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.
4) They must send their kids to school / college /university - Crime rate fixed
5) Buy £50 of alcohol / tobacco a week there's your money back in duty / tax etc

It can't get any easier than that!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members of parliament pay back their falsely claimed expenses and second home allowances.

Wendy and Sean

We picked Wendy up for the afternoon. We took her to the gardens behind my house. She and Sean played 'Catch Me', and ball, and climbing trees, and Rolly Poly, which the dog joined in. When we went home, they were playing Surgeons and cutting each others fingers off (with plastic scissors, I might add) then bandaging them up.

Sean said he didn't think he'd need to do his exercises tonight.

Few More Pics

Baby Teresa Jayne is 4 days old in these photos. She is so sweet. I pray the world will be a good place for her. God Bless you, sweetheart.

New Family Group

And this is the new family group. Wendy is ambivalent about Teresa. She is fond of her and likes her but suspects that she will usurp her place in the family, which can't happen. She will need a lot of reassurance in the next few weeks. I feel so tired I could sleep for a month, so goodness knows how wiped out Caelyn is feeling.

Teresa Jayne

This is Teresa Jayne, the newest member of the family. She sucks her fingers and looks around with one eye closed, and she likes her food.

Two days old

Getting to know you

Wendy and Teresa Jayne getting to know each other.

 

Cremora!

This blast from the past will bring a smile to my South African connections

Born with a Caul

There is a good page on Wikipedia about superstitions regarding babies being born with a caul. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caul

Here is an excerpt
Dwight Cruikshank MD, Professor and Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical College of Wisconsin states that being born with or in a caul is rare, probably occurring in fewer than 1 in 1000 births, and that he has seen fewer than 10 babies with a caul throughout his career.

In medieval times the appearance of a caul on a newborn baby was seen as a sign of good luck.[1] It was considered an omen that the child was destined for greatness. Gathering the caul onto paper was considered an important tradition of childbirth: the midwife would rub a sheet of paper across the baby's head and face, pressing the material of the caul onto the paper. The caul would then be presented to the mother, to be kept as an heirloom. Some Early Modern European traditions linked being born with the caul to the ability to defend fertility and the harvest against the forces of evil, particularly witches and sorcerers.[2]

Over the course of European history, a popular legend developed suggesting that possession of a baby's caul would give its bearer good luck and protect that person from death by drowning. Cauls were therefore highly prized by sailors. Medieval women often sold these cauls to sailors for large sums of money; a caul was regarded as a valuable talisman.[citation needed]

I was born with a caul, which was advertised for sale, in the newspapers, at the low price of fifteen guineas. Whether sea-going people were short of money about that time, or were short of faith and preferred cork jackets, I don't know; all I know is, that there was but one solitary bidding, and that was from an attorney connected with the bill-broking business, who offered two pounds in cash, and the balance in sherry, but declined to be guaranteed from drowning on any higher bargain. Consequently the advertisement was withdrawn at a dead loss ... and ten years afterwards, the caul was put up in a raffle down in our part of the country, to fifty members at half-a-crown a head, the winner to spend five shillings. I was present myself, and I remember to have felt quite uncomfortable and confused, at a part of myself being disposed of in that way. The caul was won, I recollect, by an old lady with a hand-basket.... It is a fact which will be long remembered as remarkable down there, that she was never drowned, but died triumphantly in bed, at ninety-two. (Charles Dickens, David Copperfield)

Welcome to the world, Teresa Jayne

Teresa was born at 22h07, is 34cm long and weighs 6lb3oz.  The birth
was very quick and easy but there were problems afterwards.  She lost
a lot of blood and they couldn't deliver the placenta in Dover
Hospital so they called an ambulance to take Caelyn and Teresa to the
William Harvey  to have it removed under anaesthetic.  The Dr there
eventually removed it in the ward without anaesthetic.  They are going
to decide tomorrow if she needs a blood transfusion.

It was all very 'manic' as there were 7 midwives in there when things
began going wrong, and it freaked Caelyn out a bit.  Even so, with two
people putting drips in her, someone putting in a catheter, someone
else pressing her tum etc, all Caelyn could think about was the
welfare of her baby.  And alls well that ends well.  The world is now
richer by one beautiful little scrap who already loves her food!

Incidentally, she was born with a caul and her Apgar score was
perfect.  She is a fine, healthy little lass who is alert and
wonderful and very welcome.

I'm hoping for some shut eye now, so goodnight, and Thanks be to God.

How it Began

This poem describes Frieda Hughes struggle with ME. She is the daughter of Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath. I am sorry that Frieda is ill, but I'm sure no one else could have written a poem as eloquent as this. I find it profoundly moving, and send my best wishes for a good recovery.

There was first the small sound
Of a metal wire snapping
Like a violin string inside my head
On a long drive South in Australia,
Me, a passenger.
 
The sharp, plaintive note
Snagged my attention,
It was followed by a sense of foreboding
That something was wrong.
 
When we stopped I found
That during our journey my feet
Had become welded to the floor of the car.
I tried to lift my legs at the knees
But the joints where my arms
Were hooked onto my shoulders
Had lost their point. My man
Stared in disbelief
At my immobility,
With growing fury he
Manoeuvred my limbs from the vehicle
And made me stand.
 
If I had to die in order to lie down
Right there on the pavement
I would have keeled over,
Soulless, immediately.
 
Weeks later when
This flu refused to cure
The blood tests began,
Followed by a CAT scan
And psychiatric examination
To rule out depression.
 
They found me sane as anyone could be
Afflicted by M.E.
 
I could not read or concentrate,
Or walk more than a few
Dead-legged paces, or talk;
I found it hard with wooden tongue
To fix the words in place.
 
Inertia flooded my veins,
Set like concrete,
And immobilised my working brain,
It would be almost four years
Before I read a book again.
 
Now, a single question
About sugar, or not, in tea
Could render me senseless,
And sleep was not sleep
Of rest and waking, but a mud
Of the mind's making to wade through
So that strength and cognitive ability
Were all used up
By the time my eyes opened.
 
The actions of a day
Were suspended for as long as string,
Despite my fury, and all my efforts to resist,
My life as I had known it
Ended.
 

Come to Bed with ME

Today is National ME Awareness Day

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) is defined by the World Health Organisation as a neurological illness (WHO-ICD-10-G93.3). With at least 250,000 sufferers of ME in the UK alone, many of them children, ME is estimated as costing the UK economy £3.5 billion per year. ME is five times more prevalent in the UK than HIV/AIDS. 

At present there is no medical diagnostic test for ME and no known specific treatment or cure. The lack of support provided to sufferers by the medical profession is the cause of much frustration and emotional distress. It is not unusual for someone who is feeling extremely ill to be told "just forget about it and get on with your life" - as if the ill person had a choice. 

The varying symptoms experienced by many severe ME sufferers may include: - visual problems, vocal/muscular limitations, general chronic weakness of limbs, cognitive problems such as memory loss & concentration difficulties, brain fog, problems with balance and fine motor control, muscle pain, malaise, hypersensitivity to light & noise, sleep & temperature disturbance, cardiovascular symptoms, digestive disturbances, neurological disturbances. If you are an ME sufferer, or think you might have ME, get informed by logging on to: 

http://www.25megroup.org/

http://www.ahummingbirdsguide.com/

http://www.investinme.org/

http://www.meassociation.org.uk/

http://www.tymestrust.org/

http://www.ayme.org.uk/

http://www.brame.org/

http://www.mesupport.co.uk/ 

http://www.meresearch.org.uk/

http://www.mefreeforall.org/

And here is a 6 minute video on ME in the Politics Show

Great Article!

http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/ME-sufferers-reach-out-to.5239081.jp

ME sufferers reach out to raise awareness

Published Date: 07 May 2009

By Andrew Keddie

A NEW support group has been formed to help the estimated 100-plus ME sufferers in the Borders, writes Andrew Keddie.

And it hopes to raise the profile of the neurological illness, which hits the central nervous and immune systems, at two fundraising events next week.

These will be held in Kelso on Tuesday, which has been designated International ME Awareness Day.

The group, which also holds monthly support meetings in Kelso and Galashiels, was created six months ago by Carole Carrick of Duns and Miranda Brackenbury from Greenlaw: two long-term sufferers who became close friends last year.

“The prevalence in the Borders of myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is relatively high, given that there are an estimated 240,000 sufferers in the whole of the UK,” said Carole. “So we set our minds on helping fellow sufferers and offering them the chance to meet over a cup of tea and have a chat which people who really understand this complicated and devastating illness.”

These regular drop-ins take place at the Mayfield Garden Centre coffee shop in Kelso on the second Tuesday of each month at 11am, and at Asda’s cafe in Galashiels on the fourth Monday at 2pm.

But the pair, who have each had ME for 10 years, see Tuesday’s big day as crucial in taking their initiative forward and raising funds for future meetings and advice-sharing newsletters.

So what is the impact of ME on sufferers?

“Imagine you have just woken up with a really bad dose of flu,” said Miranda. “You ache in every fibre of your being, you feel absolutely drained of energy and are totally exhausted even after a trip to the bathroom. Your head pounds, your muscles are throbbing and you feel light-headed and nauseous. All you want to do is curl up in bed and sleep until it goes away.

“This is how ME sufferers feel almost every day. Each day feels like a challenge and, on some days, you feel like you have run a marathon even without leaving your bed. It’s an overwhelming and life-changing illness that leaves many people housebound and unable to live normally.”

Carole accepts there is no specific diagnostic test – and still no known cure – for the condition.

“Research into finding a cure is obviously vital but, apart from that, all we sufferers ask is that our illness is understood and recognised because many people have to endure constant scepticism and disbelief, even although ME is classified as a neurological illness by the World Health Organisation and has actually been documented for centuries. As a result, sufferers often feel overwhelmed, isolated and don’t know where to turn.”

May 12 was chosen as International ME Awareness Day because it is the birth date of Florence Nightingale, the nurse who inspired the founding of the International Red Cross.

“It’s believed Florence Nightingale suffered from a paralysing ME/CFS-like illness in her mid-thirties and spent the last 50 years of her life virtually bedridden,” said Miranda.

“Despite her illness, she managed to found the first school of nursing and it is fitting the Lady of the Lamp now shines as a ray of inspiration and hope to modern-day victims.

“One of the most difficult aspect of having ME is that most of the symptoms are invisible making it hard for others to understand what living with the illness is really like. That is why Tuesday is so important, not only in highlighting the need for further research, but promoting a better understanding of the condition, in particular with regard to health and welfare provision. Help and support are absolutely paramount to sufferers.”

Carole revealed the supported monthly drop-ins have been well attended and many new friendships formed.

“As word spreads, we hope to reach out to more people, perhaps those who are housebound. Many people can’t make it along to the meetings due to the severity of their illness, so we propose to produce a newsletter to bridge the isolation these people feel.”

But Miranda admitted: “We urgently need funding to assist the work of the group and its team of dedicated volunteers.”

The group will hold two Kelso fundraising sessions on Tuesday at the Mayfield Garden Centre, Glebe Street, from 10am till noon, and at the Somerfield supermarket in Roxburgh Street from 2pm till 4pm.

 

Irony

IRONY AT IT’S BEST

90 people get the Swine Flu and everybody wants to wear a mask.
A million people have AIDS and no one wants to wear a condom.

Back home after Party

I had a really upsetting experience on Sunday. I was on the train. A woman with shopping bags was in the disabled section which is where they put me and my scooter. When she prepared to get off the train, she began shouting that my scooter was in the f**king way and was a f**king health and safety hazard, and how was she supposed to get out? I pointed out that there were other doors, but it made her shout even more. She said that I wasn't even f**king disabled so I shouldn't have that f***ing thing. I asked how she knew I wasn't disabled, and she said she had seen me walking to the toilet. I told her that 96% of disabilities are invisible and advised her to suck a lemon to sweeten herself up. When she got off the train, she stood on the platform still shouting at me.

I'm not proud of my reactions. I should have handled it better, on a 'soft answer turneth away wrath' basis. But the encounter really shook me up and I still feel upset about it. I'm hoping I don't see her in town because she was very threatening. There is less than a minute travelling time between Folkestone West and Folkestone Central, so it is possible that we could meet again. I'm not sure what she was doing in the Disabled section of the train in the first place. It is for wheelchairs, bicycles and people with prams, and she had none of those.

Its not as if she was a silly brat whose parents had never taught her manners - she was 60 if she was a day. And there were young children waiting for her on the platform, and I had noticed that the shopping bags contained gift wrapped presents, so I assume she was their granny. If she was, what sort of example is that to set the grandchildren?

Sean's Party

It was Sean's 70th birthday party on Saturday night. The food was excellent, and the company was great. It all went very well. His nephew Dan had come over from Canada to join in the celebrations.


Everyone enjoyed the party, even the young people


A kind neighbour Colin put some of the guests up in his house, and there was a breakfast party on Sunday morning.