World Food Programme

Spare a thought.  David Blane and Hunger.

 (CAFOD)

"Thanks to CAP, the average EU cow receives more support than half of the world's population. Three billion people live on less than US$2 a day, while European cows receive around US$2.20. ....

Each year, the UK receives around £3 billion in subsidies, 70 per cent of which end up in the pockets of the richest 20 per cent of farmers. The Duke of Westminster, one of Britain's richest men, receives over half a million pounds in farming subsidies.

In fact, European governments spend so much money subsidising dairy farmers that they could send Europe's entire dairy herd - that's 21 million cows - on a round-the-world trip, stopping off at Shanghai, San Francisco and Auckland along the way with £400 spending money! ..."

11:41:53 PM    

Top 100 Books of All Time

According to the Observer-

1. Don Quixote Miguel De Cervantes
2. Pilgrim's Progress John Bunyan
3. Robinson Crusoe Daniel Defoe
4. Gulliver's Travels Jonathan Swift
5. Tom Jones Henry Fielding

.... The BBC did a similar poll in April 2003.

As much as the lists themselves I enjoy the comments made of them.  Any list of favourites is personal as are rankings.  The moral indignation often expressed is highly amusing.  I wonder about the adage that one may deconstruct someone by what they read or listen to.  If in a serious and highly stressful job, why not relax with something silly and vice versa?

For myself, I suspect mine would change from time to time and vary on my mood.  For example, whenever I am feeling a bit world-weary I never pick up anything Margaret Atwood. She is so close to the quick of real life, I flinch and only feel worse.  At those times, something wry and ironic will do.  Something by Stephen Fry perhaps or Terry Pratchett.  I am also one who can re-read umpteen times.  I love cartoons, political cartoons, comics and graphic novels.  I am the reading equivalent of an industrial strength hoover.

My poor Conan Doyle covers are in tatters.  They have given me many a distraction from many a worry.  My dad is right, books are friends.

10:42:08 PM    

Rant...

That page that always follows a New York Times article link; the one that is pointedly not the article, never ceases to make me grind my teeth.  Somewhere, in my cerebrum, wee anaeurysms form each time as my blood pressure skyrockets momentarily.  Moreso now, as I will not knowingly click a link of theirs.

10:25:56 PM    

Translucent

(Photo Friday)

In my old room, this is an old paper lantern for my ceiling light.  Filled with books, journals and papers, the room is otherwise spartan. 

10:15:20 PM    

Toco Rocks

Toco Beach, Trinidad W.I.

1990s

10:03:45 PM    

Jeeves at the FO

Strangely (or at least so to my sister), Douglas Hurd's biography is on my list of 'most wanted' books.  I grew up with his rather affectionate character on Spitting Image and he reminds me of a few friends' fathers.  The job of Foreign Secretary always appealed to me, much more than that of Prime Minister. 

About the man....

"His popular image is that of a rather cold, aloof patrician. It is unfair, but it persists. I think it was a sergeant-major in the army who chastised him for holding himself like a butler on parade - he was right. There is something of the good butler about Douglas Hurd - measured, detached, correct, always a safe pair of hands. Butlers must never be inspired, emotional, passionate. One wants occasionally to find Hurd smashing china, tipping soup down a dowager's cleavage, but it never happens. ..."

To me he seems like a thoroughly decent man, something in dire short supply these days.

9:52:09 PM    

ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors)

Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals.

9:30:21 PM    

Cagle's Web Log

Eggdrops

the (future) evil resident

Doxos

Orcinus

9:24:35 PM    

Amusing.

W. C. Fields. "Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water." [Quotes of the Day]

9:13:32 PM