Gung Ho

William Wallace You scored 79 Wisdom, 69 Tactics, 65 Guts, and 54 Ruthlessness!

Like William Wallace, chances are you have no problem charging a larger, better trained, better equipped, better armed and armored English army with a band of naked drunken Scotsmen. I'm not contesting that you have balls. It's your brain function I'm worried about. Scottish soldier and national hero. The first historical record of Wallace's activities concerns the burning of Lanark by Wallace and 30 men in May, 1297, and the slaying of the English sheriff, one of those whom Edward I of England had installed in his attempt to make good his claim to overlordship of Scotland. After the burning of Lanark many joined Wallace's forces, and under his leadership a disciplined army was evolved. Wallace marched on Scone and met an English force of more than 50,000 before Stirling Castle in Sept., 1297. The English, trying to cross a narrow bridge over the Forth River, were killed as they crossed, and their army was routed. Wallace crossed the border and laid waste several counties in the North of England. In December he returned to Scotland and for a short time acted as guardian of the realm for the imprisoned king, John de Baliol . In July, 1298, Edward defeated Wallace and his army at Falkirk, and forced him to retreat northward. His prestige lost, Wallace went to France in 1299 to seek the aid of King Philip IV, and he possibly went on to Rome. He is heard of again fighting in Scotland in 1304, but there was a price on his head, and in 1305 he was captured by Sir John de Menteith. He was taken to London in Aug., 1305, declared guilty of treason, and executed. The best-known source for the life of Wallace is a long romantic poem attributed to Blind Harry, written in the 15th century.

Every drop counts... a gift of life.

One of my favourite places to visit every 60 odd days for a pint and cookies... You guessed it... I am a donor! Next visit will make 50 odd, although I do not think I will ever reach the grand total of some donors but at least the last 2 years I have averaged 5 donations per year, next year I am going to try and squeeze in 6, it all depends on when I donate my first for the year... My challenge to the blogosphere (those that cannot due to medical reasons or are under age are exempt.) is Donate Blood! As a former recipient I know how important this simple act of giving is.

The Gift - C Heusmann - performed by Gregorian Masters of Chant.
Forgive is a word I am learning
If only to pass the time
I love you for all your weakness
I love you for all your lies
Will you grow
Will you understand
The damage you caused in time
The past is behind we are facing
A punishment for the crime

The gift you gave me
Our sweet encounter
Became so fragile and flew with the night
I will be witness
I will not falter
Till we are risen again to the light

Would you forgive me
My heart was broken
But I will mend I will be as before
Just give me one chance
To make it better
Uhh let me be yours

Without you I'm weak and I'm listless
Without you I find I'm blind
I watch you alone, are you dreaming
Of happines left behind
Do you drift in your heart at night
Walk through the rooms of your mind
Open the door I'll be waiting
Remember this is your life

Chorus

At least donating blood is less painless than the ending quote...
**Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.**
Gene Fowler

Dumbass award - Zuma demands...

Zuma wants State to pay fees! The temerity of the man... He will probably cite the Wouter Basson case... what he forgets is that Basson was charged in officio, not ex officio... a slight diffrence.

UPDATE: 26/10/2006
He got his wish... unbelievable!

Valiant

This looks like a great animated movie! I Love the Sarge!

There used to a UK comic called Valiant, way back in the 1970's, my favourite was Captain Hurricane, a real action hero if ever. Looking back I realise he was a sort of role model both in my military career and my life. Honour with righteous rage and leading by example. Funny how something like this can inlfuence one's life without one really realising that. I must say I am looking back a lot these days an doing some self analasys, must be the effect of seeing a therapist!
So as I bravely face the future I go out with these words from the Corrs.
Baby be Brave - The Corrs
Maybe deep down inside, you don’t believe it
Your wailing wall, it isn’t weeping at all
And you’re not worthy of adoration
You’re scared that somebody somewhere’s gonna find the burst pipe
And as fast as they bow down they’ll leave you behind
But baby be brave cause what’s the point of it all
What’s the point of it all yeah
Baby don’t blow it, tell me what’s it all for
If you’re not terrified to fail
Are you terrified to fail?

Way far down below you don’t feel it
Yeah everyone knows but we don’t believe it
The pain of a pop star you’re breaking my heart

But baby be brave ‘cause what’s the point of it all
What’s the point of it all yeah?
Baby don’t blow it, tell me what’s it all for
If you’re not terrified to fail

(Confide in me, tell your story)
Are you terrified to fail?
(It’s your fear that makes you worthy)

I know what you’re doing ‘cause
God I’ve been tempted, you are
Drowning the special to
Immortalize the rise
And what’s the point of it all

Baby be brave ‘cause what’s the point of it all
What’s the point of it all yeah?
Baby don’t blow it, tell me what’s it all for
If you’re not terrified to fail

(Confide in me, tell your story)
Are you terrified to fail?
(It’s your fear that makes you worthy)
I am terrified to fail
(Confide in me, tell your story)
Are you terrified to fail?
(It’s your fear that makes you worthy)
I may have done these lyrics before, seems like the search ain't working so well, in any case they go with the sentiment of the day...
"Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come."
William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), "Julius Caesar", Act 2 scene 2

Modern potato had roots in Peru

So that means "Pom de Frites/French Fries" should be called Peruvian Fries?
I know that Peru has done extensive research on the spud and has noted where most of the variaties of "wild" spuds are found so as to keep a genetic reserve for the future.

Dumbass Award of the week goes to 'Scrap crime records' suggestion.

This surely must be the dumbest thing I have heard this week. Congratulations minister... you make the case for vigilantism so much stronger.

Henceforth I will be posting a Dumbass of the Week on Fridays... I will not say much, just point in the general direction while I roll around laughing.

Dangerous and moving, getting all Wiki-d.

Forget their image, listen to the music... t.A.T.u. have done it again with their latest CD - Dangerous and moving, due out tomorrow... I have had a sneak listen to some of the track clips and I like it a lot... One for the xmas wishlist... The single with the same title has been availabe since 1 September by the way. Checking out the Wiki about them I am quite surprised on the one hand but otherwise not surprised to see who has lent a hand in the production of this album. Sting and Richard Carpenter feature in the credits! As I said... forget the stage and video image... listen to the music... Some people wrote them off as a gimmick but I believe they have the voices to deliver serious music. Even if they do fade as t.A.T.u. I am certain they would make a sucess as individuals.
You may have noticed I have linked a lot of the names etc. to the respective Wiki pages, Wiki is getting so good these days that almost any subject has a page, most Wiki pages have lots of links as well so why re-invent the wheel when I can just send you the viewer there? (Call me lazy if you like.) So henceforth I will be Wiki-d from time to time in my blogs...
"Believe me! The secret of reaping the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to live dangerously!" Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)