Russia should be ashamed of itself

Shocking to read about Peter Tatchell being beaten up by thugs in Moscow. Some societies are still very blinkered - but it is NO excuse for this sort of behavior. The police need to protect all of society, not just the bits they want to. Lets hope things improve, and that lots of people write and protest to the government about the lack of support for a lawful, legal protest.

'It was the second worst beating of my life'

Meat on toast

Healthy eating is good for you. We all like to think that we eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, and avoid "bad" foods. Yet, as a blog on the Guardian 'confessed" to, sometimes, we all revert to comfort eating, to food that we ate as poor impoverished students. The list of variations on beans and cheese in the comments is amazing, and some certainly rang a bell with me. One that didn't seem to be there though was one my husband introduced me to - and, I am ashamed to say, he still 'cooks' regularly, namely "Meat on toast". Here's how to 'cook' it!
Fling two slices of bread under the grill [these days, it is normally wholemeal, but back then he ate white, sliced!]
Open a tin of 'meat' - Spam, corned beef etc
Slice thickly
When bread has toasted on one side, remove, turn over and place slices of 'meat' on untoasted side
Worcester or brown sauce to taste
Shove back under grill until brown
Eat


Homage to crap food

NHS underspend

I am really cross at the news today that the NHS has underspent by £500m. I have loads of student nurses and midwives who were unable to find a job at the end of their courses, because the NHS Trusts claimed they had no money. Nationally, there are thousands of newly graduated health care workers unable to find employment, due to Trust cutbacks. Will they now put the surplus into jobs for these new graduates? I hope so - otherwise the knock on effect will be that students won't apply for courses in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, midwifery etc, as they can't be sure of paid employment afterwards.

Unions furious at cuts as NHS surplus revealed

Territorial

Just because European Eagle owls are breeding in the UK, it doesn't follow that they will be tame. Reports of a breeding pair in Lancashire attacking dog walkers are to be expected. Parent birds will defend their nest and chicks - so the temporary ban on walkers on the path near the nest is totally justified. Lets hope the owls manage to successfully rear chicks, and that they expand their territory, to give more of us a change to see these wonderful birds in the wild [and I promise that I will leave Ferret and Silk at home!]

Eagle owl attacks close Pennine path

What a hassle!

I forgot my sign-in for google to get into this blog. Oops. I must write it down for next time!

Be brave

The Czechs are having a few problems with the design for their new national library. The design has been described as "a nine storey green and purple blob", and has been nicknamed the 'Octopus'. A new library is always controversial - but why not push the boat out? Most libraries are not that exciting - architecturally speaking - just think of how boring the British Library is to look at, squashed into an awkward site between two main line stations! - so perhaps this an opportunity to push the boundaries that little bit further. Having worked in an upside down pyramid when a practicing librarian - I would enjoy going to work in a jelly mould, and it would certainly not give out the wrong impression that libraries are stuffy places to visit and study in. I look forward to visiting Prague in the future and seeing this alien rooted firmly next to the castle.

'Octopus' library stirs up Czechs

Goodbye Tony Blair

After what must be the longest, worst kept farewell in history, Tony Blair returned to his constituency today to announce his resignation as leader of the Labour Party. So, after June 27, a new leader. I wonder who that might possibly be?! Whoever it is, will have a hard act to follow, as, whatever Blair's faults, and whatever people think of his actions, he was, and still is a charismatic character, and has done a lot to liven up the usual, stuffy image of what a prime minister should be, and has dragged Britain from being a marginal to a main player in the EU.

Blair to stand down on June 27

New look for the Guardian online

It was a shock looking at the computer this morning - I thought I had broken it - but no, it was just the new front page of the Guardian online. Looking briefly at the comments, I was taken aback by the vehemence of some of them - they were NOT happy bunnies that the site had been re-designed. Get a life people! Its only a newspaper online. I like it, although I have to look for the links - but give me a few days and it will be as if its always been like it!

Guardian Unlimited: your emails and comments

Tumbleweeds

Dale Chihuly makes wonderful stained glass. This piece is called 'Tumbleweeds', and is at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh. I adore the vibrant colour and the way it spreads through the foliage.

24 hours in pictures

OMG - he did it AGAIN!

Will somebody please get rid of this twit? He is supposed to be an educated man - how can he get the date of the bicentennial celebrations wrong? He is supposed to be in CHARGE of one of the most powerful nations on earth. I wouldn't trust him to button up his fly correctly. On the other hand, it was good to see that they had used a lower lectern for the Queen, as last time she was there, all you could see of her was her hat peeping over the podium - as they had forgotten to give her a box to stand on!

Bush in gaffe during Queen visit

Men in uniforms...

Loved the story about the firemen who were mobbed by a group of women when they were called out to an incident. The women were expecting a 'full monty', but all they got was cold water!

Firemen mistaken for strip show

All a-twitter in Washington DC

The queen is currently on a state visit to the USA, and the President is holding a white tie dinner for the occasion. Lets hope that this time he manages to avoid some of his previous gaffes, such as swigging his water from the bottle and eating with his mouth full!! Apparently, Mrs Bush is more concerned about her outfit, and to make sure it doesn't clash with what HM is wearing - perhaps she should concentrate on her husband, and check he doesn't wear his jeans or cowboy boots with his white tie. [Will that be one he puts on with elastic at the back, or do you think he will get somebody to tie it for him?!]


For Queen and First Lady, Bush Will Try White Tie

Only in Italy...

The city of Palermo in Sicily, faced with a potential shortage of bus drivers recruited 110 new ones, of whom more than 100 did not even hold a licence. Having seen Italian driving standards for myself - I'm not totally suprised by this - but it does nothing to encourage belief in the impartiality of Sicilian politics!

Demolition

The chimney in my kitchen is currently being taken out. Steve is attacking it with his bolster chisels and hammer, as it has to be taken out brick by brick to prevent the whole lot tumbling through the roof and ending up on the floor! Hard work - and the dust is going everywhere. To think that this is just the start of my extension - I am going to have to toughen up, and get used to mess [even more mess than the dogs!] over the next few months.

Long gap

Since I last blogged. Lots of reasons, but I will try to blog more often from now on.

What an Oppurtunity!

I go past this 'For Sale" board every day on my way to work, and it annoys me every time. Ironic that it is the education department that is selling this old school!