Tonight I had a nice meal of Thai rice, boiled pak choi, carrot, ginger, chicken, broccoli, and mushrooms, together with my last Japanese wine from last year, better known as sake.
Furthermore, I had the sake hot, and it was excellent for my mood, which had taken a battering at the hands of my friend who seemed at the end of her tether...dangerously so. I cannot fathom why her life is so desperately sad and bad, and have no business searching the reason, though I tried to listen, advise, and comfort as best I could. Anyway, I did my best.

Tonight I watched "Rocket Man" which I enjoyed...I don't watch much telly, if any, so to actually sit and watch something regularly is a miracle.

I still await the promised call from my hospital, as per usual, weeks late...but the new charter might give me a clue...

We have already had the Patient's Charter. It should now be the turn of NHS staff.

It is the government's wish that all staff should find their work pleasurable, fulfilling and rewarding. To this end, certain measures will be implemented so that in future, patients will not interfere with the smooth running of GP surgeries, hospital departments or wards.

1. All patients will have short, easily pronounceable surnames to which they will respond instantly when called.
2. They will attend for appointments at precisely the time requested, instead of arriving half an hour early or late and then complaining if not seen instantly.
3. They will give a simple, clear history, making the diagnosis obvious.
4. All patients to be examined will be freshly bathed or showered and will weigh not more than 14 stone (89kg).
5. Patients may not bleed, vomit or deposit any unmentionable excrement on NHS premises.
6. They will be able to climb unaided on and off the examination couch and will present unequivocal physical signs.
7. Patients will no longer require doctors to peer into unsavoury fundamental orifices and where they fail to conform to this guideline it is acceptable to insert red hot or ice cold endoscopes into delicate areas of their anatomy.
8. At the conclusion of an appointment, patients will thank all staff profusely, handing round Milk Tray (or preferably, more expensive sweatmeats), bow low and walk out backwards smiling all the while.
9. Patients will consider themselves cured at their first attendance and will not be permitted to return with similar symptoms for a period of at least two years.
10. To ensure the smooth implementation of this Charter it is proposed that additional staff, trained to educate patients in their new responsibilities will be recruited.

Inevitably, there will be some small hiccups at first but if it is anticipated that these will be easily resolved by the free and liberal distribution of gripe water, a sample of which is enclosed in this document.

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Music: Mettle Music: Better Days (Deep Mix) ...Mettle Music are gods!
Afterlife ft. Calladine: Clear Blue Sky
PSG: Unforgettable Love

~~~

Ang mabigat ay gumagaan, kung pinagtutulungan.
A heavy burden is lightened if everyone participates in carrying it.

November 2005 was a month of two halves, the period 1st - 12th being unusually mild, with several days worthy of late summer.

The maximum of 17.5°c on the 2nd, whilst unusually warm, was considerably less than the 20.4c recorded by the late J.H. Willis at Ipswich Road, Norwich, on the 5th November 1938. The minimum of 13.8c on the 3rd was exceptional, but was eclipsed as recently as 1996 when a minimum of 14.9c was recorded, also on the 3rd at a station at Thorpe, Norwich.

The period 13th - 30th saw an abrupt change with the lengthy spell of warm southerly winds replaced by westerly and much colder northerly winds of Arctic origin.

The first ground frost of autumn occurred on the 13th, and subsequently there were 14 further ground frosts and 11 air frosts, culminating on the 30th with an air minimum of -3.6 and a ground minimum of -6.2.

Not surprisingly soil temperatures tumbled, at a depth of 10cms the 2.3c recorded on the 30th was in marked contrast to the 13.6c on the 2nd.

Rain falling on 18 days totalled 65.6mms very close to normal. Slight snow fell on 4 days but was insufficient to provide a cover.

The 'topsy turvy' nature of the month's temperature is best illustrated by dividing the month in two halves and listing their respective temperatures.

Average maximum: 1st - 15th: 14.0c 16th - 30th: 6.9c
Average minimum: 1st - 15th: 6.1c 16th - 30th: -0.3c

I have written in earlier features that there has been concern regarding a weakening in the strength of the North Atlantic drift, (Gulf Stream). This concept of warm water keeps Europe in general, and the British Isles in particular very much warmer than the average for the latitude. Scientists first noticed that the stream was showing signs of weakening in the mid-1970's, and at the close of 2003 it was reported that the reduction in flow amounted to a very significant 20%.

It is thus alarming to learn very recently that well-founded evidence indicates that this conveyor belt of warm water has slowed by a third in only 12 years. Worryingly, what has not been clarified is the fact that the flow in 1992 was already weaker than the previous average strength, which makes it likely that any further dimunition could begin to exert an influence on our average temperatures with a drop of 1c within a decade - possibly less. Even this initial fall would be sufficient to give East Anglia continental (Dutch, Danish) winters, and if the current shuts down completely winters would become much colder, frequently of Polish severity akin to 1962-63.

Total rainfall = 65.6mms
Wettest day = 16.6mms 25th
Days with rain = 18
Coldest day = 3.6 25th
Mildest day = 17.5c 2nd
Average temperature = 6.7c

Thai trees pt.II

Chaba (Hibicus rosa sinensis nalvaceae)

A shrub of scarlet red flowers, and raised by the Chinese, with many varieties of varying colours. Long ago, the punishment for an adultress was to be publicly shown with red Chaba flowers tucked above the ears, indeed convicts guilty of appalling crimes were decorated with these flowers, again behind the ears, on-route to execution, and in southern India these flowers were made into a garland around the neck for the same reason.

Takian (Hopea odorata).
Yang (Dipterocarpus alatus).

Both are tall forest trees in Thailand, not suitable for the garden, and furthermore, Thais believe these trees are home to tree spirits, of which two exist according to folklore. One being a male spirit, half "phi" and half thevada, or god, with the other being female resembling the wood nymph. The tree considered of little economic value is where the male spirit is said to reside, with the female spirit seeking a fruitful tree of greater economic value.

To this day in rural Thailand, people will avoid the cutting down of one of these great trees, for fear of upsetting such a spirit, and should a felling be necessary, then an offering will be made. However, a very large variety of these trees will never be felled. Long ago, when larger rees such as these, or other varieties were required for the building of the now famous traditional royal barge or for posts of the tall roof for the royal pyre, a royal proclamation was read at an offering, under the tree due to be felled. It also proved invaluable in protecting wanton felling. Whether or not you believe in such spirits, it is heartening to learn of ways which actually respected and protected the trees, and also utilised them too.

The Takian tree is very well-known in Thailand as the home of the female spirit, and known as "Nang Takian" or Lady Takian. In the mind's eye of the Thais, Lady Takian appears on the form of a beautiful maiden and is known to wail with a most piercing sound in the event of 'her' tree being felled, and fearful, unforeseen catastrophies will come to anyone who cuts this tree down. A Takian tree with 'airborn' roots growing into a riverbank is particularly feared by Thais, as this tree is believed to be especially fierce in Thailand. The relieving of oneself, though necessary should never be a public event, and to do so against this tree will attract ulcers. Thai Wat are the most typical habitat where these trees, Takian and Yang are found, adding to the already rich source or Thai beliefs found in such places.

[In a few hours in Thailand, it will be the King's birthday. The 5th December is His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday or วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว in Thai language, and is celebrated nationwide as Father's Day public holiday, ("WAN PHO HENG CHAT" - วันพ่อแห่งชาติ The King is regarded with great reverence as the father of all Thai people.]

by lauren6

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Music: Black Shore: Hispana el Hambra

Do you recall your history exams? Well, here are some real, (and exactly as written), student funnies from history tests and examination papers;

The government of England was a limited mockery. Henry VIII found walking difficult because he had an abbess on his knee.
Queen Elizabeth was the "Virgin Queen." As a queen
she was a success. When Elizabeth exposed herself before
her troops, they all shouted "hurrah." Then her navy went out and defeated the Spanish Armadillo.

The greatest writer of the Renaissance was William
Shakespear. Shakespear never made much money and is famous only because of his plays. he lived in Windsor with his merry wives, writing tragedies, comedies and errors.
In one of Shakespear's famous plays, Hamlet rations out his situation by relieving himself in a long soliloquy. In another, lady Macbeth tries to convince Macbeth to kill the king by attacking his manhood. Romeo and Juliet are an example of a heroic couplet.
Writing at the same time as Shakespear was Miquel Cervantes. He wrote "Donkey hote."
The next great author was John Milton. Milton wrote
"Paradise Lost." Then his wife dies and he wrote "Paradise regained."

One of the causes of the revolutionary Wars was the English put tacks in their tea. Also, the colonists would send their parcels through the post without stamps.
During the war, Red Coates and Paul Revere was throwing balls over stone walls. The dogs were barking and the peacocks crowing. Finally, the colonists won the War and no longer had to pay for taxis.

Ang gawa sa pagkabata, dala hanggang pagtanda.
What one learns in childhood he carries into adulthood.

Proverb of the Philippines

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The weather is so fine, that forgetting it was December, and that I am not in the spring of my age, I went bird's nesting this morning...
-Walpole, December 4th, 1771

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Colour: White
Music: Downbeat3: About Midnight
Loop Star: Rouge Noir

were we meant to be together
then change with the weather
when energy surged warmly
and eyes glowed surely
touch of hand the signal
heralding such heavenly jingle
embracing nations did resemble
our hearts yearning - illimitable
desire entwined, forever imbibed
love shared but never realised

étions nous avons signifié pour être ensemble
changez alors avec le survivre à
quand l'énergie a augmenté chaudement
et les yeux ont rougeoyé sûrement
contact de main le signal
annonce d'un tel tintement merveilleux
l'embrassement des nations a ressemblé
nos coeurs aspirant - illimité
le désir s'est enlaceré, pour toujours bu
amour partagé mais non jamais réalisé