Friday, August 28, 2009
The New Religion?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Six Degrees of Separation And More...
A friend of mine (DJ) sent me an email where he told me he was reading a book about the Spandau Seven (possibly this one - not sure - but I a reading this one) held at Spandau Prison (more info here). As a follow up I recommended a book and the whole interchange cascaded from there... below is the edited transcript of our internchange... As a side note, I am not normally into this type of book but when I was living in Germany I realised that I knew so little about the war and Germany in general. So I started reading... I actually had an apartment in Munich that overlooked that originally occupied by 'the man with the bristly mustache' or 'Herr Schicklgruber ' as my German friends referred to Hitler. Incidentally, the latter name; Hitler's father, Alois Schiklgruber was born out of wedlock to Marie Anna Schicklgruber who later married Johann Georg Heidler. Heidler was also variously spelled Hitler. I don't recall if Johann Georg was Alois' father, but he gave him his family name, thus he (Hitler's father) became Alois Heidler or Hitler. Alois' second marriage, to Klara Poelzl, resulted in six children, of which Adolf was the fourth. The original Schicklgruber family were itinerant millers. Now you know.
"Well you could do the 'prequel' (sort of) of the book by reading "The Nuremberg Interviews" and other associated reading (The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is considered the best of this type of book as Shirer was actually there at the time. Incidentally, you just sparked off a thought for some future reading for myself. Some time back I did a psychology course. One of the areas we studied was obedience and this was based upon a study by Stanley Millgram who got students to ask other people questions. The 'other people' were actually actors. When the person asked the questions got the answer wrong or did not answer the person asking the question was instructed to give them an increasingly strong electric shock. Out of 40 people, 37 of them continued to give ridiculously high levels of electricity to the 'other people' even though they could hear them screaming and saying things like "NO, NO, No. I have a heart condition" or could clearly be heard gagging, moaning, or failing to answer after having 'received' a massive blast of electricity. Actually, there was no electricity involved.
This is the same guy who did the research/theory after seeing a play of the same title by John Guare on the "six degrees of separation" which is still questioned as the study was never properly completed scientifically but appears to work. It is on this basis that things like LinkedIn and social networking sites work because every one is six steps away from knowing everyone else and why. See the section on computer networking and follow up some of the links at the bottom as this is a truly fascinating subject area with particular relevance to computers, email, networking etc. It is why you get those stupid chain mail letters that threaten to have a cat drowned or you will have bad luck if you do not send them on to 10 other people, and also how pyramid marketing schemes work. Similarly the whole thing regarding synchronicity, causality, and the butterfly effect are related. Also, did you know of the "Pauli Effect"? It is a belief (by scientists) that certain people break equipment. Now you know why some people cannot get their computers to work for them or that they keep going wrong...
Where all of this is truly fascinating is how it creeps in to the general public mind set through media. e.g., Will Smith's first mainstream movie? Six degrees of separation. Peter Gabriel (he of Biko and Genesis fame) has a song which I think is called 'We do as we are told (Millgram's 37)".
There are thousands more like this but my all time favourite is "Dark Side of the Rainbow" (available at a torrent site near you but make sure you get the correct one - check the comments for this. It is difficult to find the REAL one so check carefully. ). It is really, really odd to watch 'The Wizard of Oz' that is synchronised with Pink Floyds 'Dark Side of the Moon' and how eerily the story lines match up. Spook!... Similarly, the Floyd album 'Wish you were here' matches beautifully with 'Blade Runner' (the non-directors cut that is)...
"Well you could do the 'prequel' (sort of) of the book by reading "The Nuremberg Interviews" and other associated reading (The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is considered the best of this type of book as Shirer was actually there at the time. Incidentally, you just sparked off a thought for some future reading for myself. Some time back I did a psychology course. One of the areas we studied was obedience and this was based upon a study by Stanley Millgram who got students to ask other people questions. The 'other people' were actually actors. When the person asked the questions got the answer wrong or did not answer the person asking the question was instructed to give them an increasingly strong electric shock. Out of 40 people, 37 of them continued to give ridiculously high levels of electricity to the 'other people' even though they could hear them screaming and saying things like "NO, NO, No. I have a heart condition" or could clearly be heard gagging, moaning, or failing to answer after having 'received' a massive blast of electricity. Actually, there was no electricity involved.
This is the same guy who did the research/theory after seeing a play of the same title by John Guare on the "six degrees of separation" which is still questioned as the study was never properly completed scientifically but appears to work. It is on this basis that things like LinkedIn and social networking sites work because every one is six steps away from knowing everyone else and why. See the section on computer networking and follow up some of the links at the bottom as this is a truly fascinating subject area with particular relevance to computers, email, networking etc. It is why you get those stupid chain mail letters that threaten to have a cat drowned or you will have bad luck if you do not send them on to 10 other people, and also how pyramid marketing schemes work. Similarly the whole thing regarding synchronicity, causality, and the butterfly effect are related. Also, did you know of the "Pauli Effect"? It is a belief (by scientists) that certain people break equipment. Now you know why some people cannot get their computers to work for them or that they keep going wrong...
Where all of this is truly fascinating is how it creeps in to the general public mind set through media. e.g., Will Smith's first mainstream movie? Six degrees of separation. Peter Gabriel (he of Biko and Genesis fame) has a song which I think is called 'We do as we are told (Millgram's 37)".
There are thousands more like this but my all time favourite is "Dark Side of the Rainbow" (available at a torrent site near you but make sure you get the correct one - check the comments for this. It is difficult to find the REAL one so check carefully. ). It is really, really odd to watch 'The Wizard of Oz' that is synchronised with Pink Floyds 'Dark Side of the Moon' and how eerily the story lines match up. Spook!... Similarly, the Floyd album 'Wish you were here' matches beautifully with 'Blade Runner' (the non-directors cut that is)...
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Frank Zappa
Many people dismiss/ed this guy and miss out on such gems as this. Worth 4:46 of anyone's ear time. From Joe's Garage...
Monday, August 24, 2009
Why not just give them REAL vegetables?
This product, 'Pegetables', has to be the most ridiculous one I can think of. Another factor is their incredibly bad pronunciation guide to how you should say the name - pej'te-bels. They bin need sum learnin'...
Well actually no, I think Cool Claws is more so. Taking a look at the ingredients of Cool Claws might just be enough to prove the point:
"Water, dried whey, whole egg, chicken fat preserved with BHA, natural and artificial flavors, calcium carbonate, guar gum, mono and diglycerides, cellulose gum, polysorbate 80, calcium sulfate, carrageenan, vitamin E, B12, D3, A supplements, niacin, zinc oxide, manganese sulfate, thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1), potassium iodide, taurine. "
I am not doubting for one minute the benefits of some or even all of these under the right circumstance or application. There are perhaps some issues relating to what many other 'normal' uses they are applied to. Let us take 'carrageenan'. Got you thinking? Perhaps a little searching regarding the calls to have it removed from ice cream and other food products might be of benefit to you. Check out the Wikipedia entry here. I particularly noted the entry "Lambda carrageenan is used in animal models of inflammation used to test analgesics, because dilute carrageenan solution (1–2%) injected subcutaneously causes swelling and pain."
BHA? Check what is said about putting it on human skin here. Its hazard rating is 10 out of 10!!!
As far as I can establish from the ingredients 'Pegetables' do contain "real" vegetables along with a whole host of ingredients of indeterminate origin, quality, or real benefit. Here are the ingredients for the 'carrot' Pegetable:
"U.S.A. hydrolyzed wheat protein, glycerin, dehydrated carrot, natural flavor, powdered cellulose, sunflower oil, mono and diglycerides, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, flax oil (source of omega 3 fatty acid), vitamin mix (vitamins A, D3, E, and B12 supplements, riboflavin, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, folic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, pyridoxine, thiamin, biotin), yellow 6 lake, preserved with sodium metabisulfite and mixed tocopherols, beta-carotene"
Again, searching for what these are can turn up some disturbing information and facts. If my understanding is correct, the ingredient list is in percentage of content (why is there no requirement for including the percentages themselves?). As far as I can see with regard to this specific product (and the others) it should really be called "Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein with Gluten (and some dried carrot)".
Caveat emptor from their site (note the "may"):
"The real carrot content in Pegetables may provide the following benefits:"
The whole issue of what is fed to our animals in the guise of "food" is disturbing. It is also a nasty indicator of what food producers could/would/do do with food for human consumption. The Environmental Working Group has some big concerns regarding what goes into pet food. See this article here.
Further reading can be done in this PDF here. It is pragmatic and very down to earth regarding what is wrong with the pet food industry. A single quote from a vet:
"The stench of stale blood, dung and pus emanating from the mouths of so many of my patients has finally provoked this eruption of dissent."
Even before the melamine in dog kibble problem (another link here) we chose to make our own dog food. It is not difficult, it can take some time, and advance preparation and a freezer can and do help.
Search this blog for "How to make your own dog food" which I will make as a separate posting. In the meantime, here are some other good dog food recipes as well as cat food recipes. Enjoy your pets and take care of them.
A Turn of Phrase
Every country has idioms and expressions that often have plausible and relevant origins. Here are some from England...
=================
In the 1500s:
They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all
pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & sold to the
tannery.......if you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor"
But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even
afford to buy a pot...........they "didnt have a pot to piss in" and
were the lowest of the low.
Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in
May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they
were starting to smell . .. . brides carried a bouquet of flowers to
hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when
getting married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the
house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other
sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the
babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone
in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath
water!"
Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood
underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the
cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it
rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and
fall off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This
posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings
could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a
sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy
beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt.
Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would
get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on
floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added
more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start
slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way.
Hence: a thresh hold.
(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that
always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added
things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much
meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot
to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew
had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme:
Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine
days old.
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special.
When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off.
It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They
would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around
and chew the fat.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid
content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead
poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the
next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of
the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the
upper crust.
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would
sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking
along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial.
They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the
family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they
would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.
England is old and small and the local folks started running out of
places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the
bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these
coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the
inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they
would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the
coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would
have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to
listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was
considered a dead ringer...
=================
In the 1500s:
They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all
pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & sold to the
tannery.......if you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor"
But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even
afford to buy a pot...........they "didnt have a pot to piss in" and
were the lowest of the low.
Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in
May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they
were starting to smell . .. . brides carried a bouquet of flowers to
hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when
getting married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the
house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other
sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the
babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone
in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath
water!"
Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood
underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the
cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it
rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and
fall off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This
posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings
could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a
sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy
beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt.
Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would
get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on
floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added
more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start
slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way.
Hence: a thresh hold.
(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that
always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added
things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much
meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot
to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew
had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme:
Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine
days old.
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special.
When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off.
It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They
would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around
and chew the fat.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid
content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead
poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the
next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of
the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the
upper crust.
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would
sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking
along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial.
They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the
family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they
would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.
England is old and small and the local folks started running out of
places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the
bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these
coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the
inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they
would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the
coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would
have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to
listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was
considered a dead ringer...
Arnie - Then and Now
My brother in law works on Cape Cod in a high-end restaurant and delicatessen. The other week, at the time of JFK's sisters funeral, he was working in the deli when in walks Arnie. He was looking for the restaurant and so P guided him through. I think he resisted the temptation to ask "Will you be back?"
Edinburgh Fringe Comedy and much more...
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival has a 'Best Joke of the Festival" Award.
Here are the winners. For those who do not know, Rose West was the wife of Fred West. The event itself (much covered by the British media) inspired jokes such as:
===============
"Fred West is at the pearly gates. St Peter addresses him "Sorry mate I
think there's been a bit of a mix up, you should be at the other end if
you get what I mean, have a seat while I sort things out. While you
waiting would you like a drink?"
Fred West goes "You know, I could murder some Tennants...."
===============
The variant of this:
Guard: "What would you like?"
Harold Shipman: "A nice whiskey would be great"
Guard: "What would you like?"
Myra Hindley: "I'd love some red wine"
Guard: "What would you like?"
Fred West: "I could murder some Tennants"
===============
Fred West could have gotten away with it so easily...
If only he'd thought to tell the police he got his topsoil in Lockerbie.
===============
There's some good in everyone, say what you like about Fred West, but he knew how to lay a good a patio.
===============
I just read that Fred and Rose West's old house is coming up for sale again.
I can't see anyone in their right mind wanting to live there... it's in Gloucester.
===============
When Fred West got caught, he told police that there were 16 more
bodies buried under his house. The police went to check and found 25
bodies. "What's the idea", the police asked him. "There were 25 bodies,
not 16".
Fred replied, "I'm in the building trade, the figure of 16 was just an estimate".
===============
What's pink and smells of rose?
Fred West's cock!
===============
The youngest West kid and two other children are playing wild at playgroup.
One kid runs up the climbing frame. "Hahahahaha! I'm the bestest! I've got a Thomas the Tank Engine Bedroom."
The second one jumps into the sandpit. "Hahahahaha! I'm the bestest! I've got a Bob the Builder Playroom."
The West Kid looks bemused then says in an adamant voice "Wait 'til you see my Funnybones Basement!"
===============
Frederick West is in the shower, but has run out of shampoo. "Oh no, Rose, I'm unable to wash me hair!"
"Ah don't worry Fred", came the reply. "There are plenty of Head and Shoulders in the basement".
===============
A neighbour sees Fred West digging a hole in the flower garden so goes to investigate.
"What are you up to Fred?" he asks. Fred West replys " Not much, just putting the kids to bed"
===============
If someone says to you, which famous person do these titles make you
think of? 'kiss from a rose' 'crazy' or 'killer' You would think, Seal,
right?
Me, I'd think Fred West.
===============
FRED WEST
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
If you want the best. try West!!!
We make no bones about it, we put body and soul into our properties
Don’t have grave doubts most of Fred’s family have been into patio’s, bathrooms, fireplaces, etc. for years.
Wife and kids under your feet?
Why not try a West special extension
We knock all competition dead!
Contact: WEST HOME IMPROVEMENTS
25 Cromwell Road
GLOUCESTER
(References available from Gloucester C.I.D.)
Sponsored by Quick Mix Cement & Pollyfilla
You just lie down. We provide the cover.
===============
The life story (note: graphic and disturbing information!!! You have been warned) of Fred West may explain (but not justify) his behaviour and actions.
One of the weirdest aspects of the whole thing is the link with Dave Glover, bass player with Slade, who at one time (2003) had planned to marry Rose West.
As a side note, I used to live in "The Black Country" and was in 'The Trumpet' pub where Noddy Holder of Slade used to drink when he comes in (like any other customer) and we spent about two hours chatting and drinking Banks's Mild. He truly is a really nice guy and person who is not spoiled at all by his fame. Cheers, Noddy
My other claims to band 'fame' also involve being in pubs where bands have either come in for a drink or been there when I arrived - Rick Wakeman (castigated by the landlord of the pub when he played the piano in case he might damage it), UB40 in a pub in Dudley, and Led Zeppelin band members in 'The Lamp Tavern' (also Dudley)
Here are the winners. For those who do not know, Rose West was the wife of Fred West. The event itself (much covered by the British media) inspired jokes such as:
===============
"Fred West is at the pearly gates. St Peter addresses him "Sorry mate I
think there's been a bit of a mix up, you should be at the other end if
you get what I mean, have a seat while I sort things out. While you
waiting would you like a drink?"
Fred West goes "You know, I could murder some Tennants...."
===============
The variant of this:
Guard: "What would you like?"
Harold Shipman: "A nice whiskey would be great"
Guard: "What would you like?"
Myra Hindley: "I'd love some red wine"
Guard: "What would you like?"
Fred West: "I could murder some Tennants"
===============
Fred West could have gotten away with it so easily...
If only he'd thought to tell the police he got his topsoil in Lockerbie.
===============
There's some good in everyone, say what you like about Fred West, but he knew how to lay a good a patio.
===============
I just read that Fred and Rose West's old house is coming up for sale again.
I can't see anyone in their right mind wanting to live there... it's in Gloucester.
===============
When Fred West got caught, he told police that there were 16 more
bodies buried under his house. The police went to check and found 25
bodies. "What's the idea", the police asked him. "There were 25 bodies,
not 16".
Fred replied, "I'm in the building trade, the figure of 16 was just an estimate".
===============
What's pink and smells of rose?
Fred West's cock!
===============
The youngest West kid and two other children are playing wild at playgroup.
One kid runs up the climbing frame. "Hahahahaha! I'm the bestest! I've got a Thomas the Tank Engine Bedroom."
The second one jumps into the sandpit. "Hahahahaha! I'm the bestest! I've got a Bob the Builder Playroom."
The West Kid looks bemused then says in an adamant voice "Wait 'til you see my Funnybones Basement!"
===============
Frederick West is in the shower, but has run out of shampoo. "Oh no, Rose, I'm unable to wash me hair!"
"Ah don't worry Fred", came the reply. "There are plenty of Head and Shoulders in the basement".
===============
A neighbour sees Fred West digging a hole in the flower garden so goes to investigate.
"What are you up to Fred?" he asks. Fred West replys " Not much, just putting the kids to bed"
===============
If someone says to you, which famous person do these titles make you
think of? 'kiss from a rose' 'crazy' or 'killer' You would think, Seal,
right?
Me, I'd think Fred West.
===============
FRED WEST
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
If you want the best. try West!!!
We make no bones about it, we put body and soul into our properties
Don’t have grave doubts most of Fred’s family have been into patio’s, bathrooms, fireplaces, etc. for years.
Wife and kids under your feet?
Why not try a West special extension
We knock all competition dead!
Contact: WEST HOME IMPROVEMENTS
25 Cromwell Road
GLOUCESTER
(References available from Gloucester C.I.D.)
Sponsored by Quick Mix Cement & Pollyfilla
You just lie down. We provide the cover.
===============
The life story (note: graphic and disturbing information!!! You have been warned) of Fred West may explain (but not justify) his behaviour and actions.
One of the weirdest aspects of the whole thing is the link with Dave Glover, bass player with Slade, who at one time (2003) had planned to marry Rose West.
As a side note, I used to live in "The Black Country" and was in 'The Trumpet' pub where Noddy Holder of Slade used to drink when he comes in (like any other customer) and we spent about two hours chatting and drinking Banks's Mild. He truly is a really nice guy and person who is not spoiled at all by his fame. Cheers, Noddy
My other claims to band 'fame' also involve being in pubs where bands have either come in for a drink or been there when I arrived - Rick Wakeman (castigated by the landlord of the pub when he played the piano in case he might damage it), UB40 in a pub in Dudley, and Led Zeppelin band members in 'The Lamp Tavern' (also Dudley)
Sunday, August 23, 2009
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