Friday, July 28, 2006

Execution of a teenage girl.

Execution of a teenage girl
This is absolute madness! "Her death sentence was imposed for "crimes against chastity". "
This is not even 7th century madness it is here and now! Alive and well posing as a religion of peace... Make your own judgement, I have and it this religion falls short from the words of my Saviour;
"LOVE ONE ANOTHER!" John 15:12

Thursday, July 27, 2006

claudiclauds The neice that blogs!

claudiclauds Yep she's one of moi's neices... and she does it well too... enjoy your weekend!

Thursday, July 20, 2006

The Jawa Report: Why The Jawa Report Was Banned in India and Why it Matters

The Jawa Report: Why The Jawa Report Was Banned in India and Why it Matters - An excellent post by the esteemed Dr.
I will be re-reading it, although I doubt I could have much more to add to such a well thought out article...

While putting this post up I wanted some graphics for the posting. Here is a button for my sidebar as the banner I snipped from the original was too wide... and I learned something doing that. So in learning why the banning was bad I also learned how to do some button making... Thanks Dr. Rusty! and no I am not hotlinking to his graphics... sheesh I am not that low!

The Linkbutton that works...


The image that was too big...





While I was about it I linked to LGF as well, had to do some image doctoring for a button as well, here is a LFG Linkbutton...


Friday, July 14, 2006

This Friday's Dumass Award goes to...

The idiots who cooked up the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers the last few weeks... Talk about tweaking the Lion's tail...
As well as the brave leaders of Syria and Iran... for wanting Armageddon... you may just get it but I fear you have been consulting the incorrect manual...

Imagine...

Two comments over at Ace's place are worth mulling over as the world teeters on WWiv (WWiii was the Cold one). I am posting them as they have amazing relevance to the goings on of our world.

If the Palestinians were not radical Muslims...Gaza would have casinos and bikini-clad hotties drinking umbrella drinks on their beautiful beaches...

"I never once thought I'd read something that would make me think MEastern violence was an even bigger waste than it is." Posted by: Nathan Wazoo on July 14, 2006 01:02 AM

and...

Imagine there's no jihad
It's easy if you try
No Islamic Republics
No virgins in the sky
Imagine all the people

Riding buses without fear

Imagine no televised beheadings
It isn't hard to do
No mullahs to kill or die for
The Taliban in a zoo
Imagine all the women
Unbeaten and unveiled

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
Any more crap from Ahmaninejad
And I'm buying me a gun

Imagine no suicide bombers
I wonder if you can
No more Wahibis
Food in the Sudan
Imagine all the muslims
Just getting along

You may say that I'm a dreamer ...

Posted by: Tom on July 14, 2006 09:17 AM
Yeah... Imagine...

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

So much fuss over yellow

How the Yell can YelloWikis be confused with Yell.Com... actually I am confused that Yell.Com is not Yellowpages.com... wonder why?




I hope YelloWikis does not back down because I think this is just rediculous and another example of a greedy corporate grabbing all remotely related domain names for themselves...
I for one do not think that YelloWiki has anything at all to do with the yellow pages... by the way who in their right mind wants to use Yell.com to search the internet with whgen we have Google and Clusty!
Now if Yell.com would make an acceptable offer for the domain and help YelloWikis with transferring their service to another domain, that would be acceptable and show that they have some respect for other Netizens.
Oh and another thing... a commercial company should not have a .org domain either... Double shame on Yell.com and their megalomaniac executives.

As long as it is yellowish...

Your Aura is Orange

You're a bit of a loner, but you're never lonely. You know how to entertain yourself.
Whether you're trying an extreme sport or a new weird food, you always live on the edge.

The purpose of your life: testing limits - both physical and mental... and then telling people about it.

Famous oranges include: Timothy Leary, David Blaine, Tony Hawk, Carey Hart

Careers for you to try: Snowboarder, Circus Performer, Undercover Agent
What Color Is Your Aura?

Found this over at It's a Raggedy Life not exactly my favourite colour but it has enough yellow to make me keep it!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Microcosm

I found this little world between two rocks on my botanical garden trip last week... again it is the small things that amaze me...

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Alien Invader with a cute name - Fairy Moss

"Azolla filiculoides- Fairy Moss (Salviniaceae)
Small, free-floating aquatic fern with pinnately branched rhizomes. The frond is almost moss-like, 1/16 inch long with 2 lobes, the upper lobe floating, the lower lobe larger and submerged. Sporocarps are produced by the lower lobe. The plant is native from Washington to Mexico and South America"


View across the dam and mats of Azolla from the Bird Hide on the northen side of the dam.
Some of the weed is eaten by waterfowl but not nearly enough!
A view from the Koppie down on the lower dam near the N1 highway, which is completely covered!
Close up of the critter. Quite pretty and I can see why people would want it in a fishpond or aquarium.
A view of the main dam from the Koppie, not nearly as bad as the lower dam. The Bird hide is in the tree line on the bottom of the picture.
The plaque at the dam wall explaining what the weed is about. Excuse the bird droppings!

"Forms dense mats that choke out other species. Azolla lives in symbiosis with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), taking advantage of their ability to fix nitrogen. It is sometimes introduced and used by farmers as a natural fertilizer for this reason."
The probable source for our invader in the Botanic Gardens was aquatic gardens and aquariums.
What is interesting is that it can be used as a fertilizer/compost, the problem is finding a economic way to harvest it and at the same time control this pest in our dams and rivers. At least it is not as bad as Kariba Weed! Our cold winters save us from that horrid invader.

There goes my bonus...

Graphics cards open new Windows "Microsoft's new operating system, Vista, which is due to go on widespread release in January 2007 will make big demands of your computer's graphics capabilities."

Technical advancement is a good thing except when it goes beyond KISS... and Vista is a case in point. Why do we need this to compose reports and calculate the cost of building a skyscraper? A Pentium1 running Win 3.1 would be sufficient!
I am also not the only one to have this view hence the upsurge of Linux based software that will run on even the most rudimentary machine and the price is usually ridiculous... Free! What a concept!
Now if Bill Gates wants to be a real philanthropist he will make Vista or the Applications that use it free... that would be something...

Purple and Blue, shades of brown and green in between..

Purple Broom flowering at present in the Botanical Gardens, who said winter needs to be dull...
The new restaurant and Visitors’ Centre at Free State NBG viewed from the hill overlooking the dam. This dam was built during the Boer War to provide water to the horses of British cavalry billeted in the area...
The brown/purple edge on the water's edge is invader species that I will be commenting on my
FeXII blog...
Some close up's of berries on a Karee tree... with suntanned cheeks.


"If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It's a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it's time to reflect on what's come before."
Mitchell Burgess, Northern Exposure, Thanksgiving, 1992

Saturday, July 08, 2006

'Patriotic hackers should shut down the site'


Pray tell why exactly someones freedom of speech on a legaly registered and paid for website that is stating true facts should be attacked by "Patriotic Hackers"? This reeks of incitement to perpetrate a crimminal offence as described in our communication law... (Google it yourself.) I hope it was not Nils Flaatten of Wesgro, the article was not clear here but just had this vague 'Patriotic hackers should shut down the site' quote... if it was he should know damn well better!
Rather we should be looking into the motivation of the site... and that is our uncontrolled crime... of wich my family has been a victim of in half a dozen instances... not one of the thugs have been apprehended to date nor has the SAPS ever gotten back to report progress in the cases...
We are still waiting 9 months later for the "Fingerprint squad" to come and dust for fingerprints on the garage door that had been wrenched open to gain acess! By this time I had to have the door repaired and strengthened to prevent another break in.
I say this site should be promoted far and wide to put pressure on goverment to do their job as proscribed in our glorious Constitution...
I for one back the site 100%, way to go Neil Watson!

http://www.crimexposouthafrica.co.za

Update: I have requested clarity on the quote from Reuters ZA on their website.


Regarding a news article I read on Iol the source was given as Reuters and the reporter was Karen Breytenbach.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20060707015837571C820421
I am interested to hear exactly who said the following as quoted in the report?
"Patriotic hackers should shut down the site."
The reason being that this is an inflamatory statement and incitement to commit an offence... something I do not think Reuters would be a party to.
I hope to hear from you soon in this regard.

Thanks (me)


I may be surprised by Reuters or maybe not...

Quiche at Gecko's

The Free State National Botanical Gardens have a new place to eat...
Gecko’s Restaurant has opened and I decided to partake in a light lunch when I visited this week... not expecting much I ordered a cup of coffee and the Quiche of the day...
I was pleasantly surprised by this plate presented to me... the Quiche was Bacon and Mushroom, with a "Garden salad" with a delightfull Advocado sauce instead of the usual salad dressing... it was delicious both on the salad and Quiche!
Gecko's will be visited again! and I will be singing their praises... the service was excellent as well as the prices, not the cheapest but the quality was top class. The tables are plain but suit the setting and are adorned with indigenous blooms, depending what is flowering at the time...
I will have write up's on places I think are worth a culinary visit from time to time.
Must get that Avo sauce recipe next time...

Update: 03/09/07 - Seems like the place is now closed. When KatieB and I were here in July it was all shut up and the sign board was missing as well.

This Friday's Dumbass award goes to...

Ted Stevens for taking the Internet down the Tubes...
How Ignoramii like this get elected in a developed country like the USA beats me...

Friday, July 07, 2006

Wild beans

The Man went to the Botanical gardens and saw a lot of Wild beans as well as a lot of flowers... he showed me these two...
A Tiptol in the tree...






and a Yellow Mongoose(Cynictis penicillata). I asked the man why he giggled when he typed the word Mongoose... he said he remembers a Simpsons episode...
Homer: "Release the mongoose!"
"Stupid mongoose! Get the snakes! The snakes! Do I look like a snake? Ow! Ow! Why isn't he listening to me? Ow! Ohhh. Show's over! Show's over! Next show at eight o'clock and ten!"

Red Hot...

Pokers or Kniphofia... in all their glory, this was me testing my camera at dusk...
Since my daughter is in the States and also having other family and friends there these flowers will always remind me of the Fourth of July... coincedentally I shot them on the same date!
Today's quote seems to fit in with the theme of the week...
"The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas-a trial of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish and the ideals to which we are dedicated." Ronald Reagan (1911 - 2004)

What country 2010?

My view... someone did not have the flag handy when they laid it out... the colours are incorrect for one.
The Red must always be antecedant... here it is laid out in the obverse... I hope it is not a forecast on the event in less than 3 and a half years time..

Update: 11/07/2006.
I was wrong! Here is the correct way to display the flag... thanks SicParvis...

National flag
When the flag is displayed vertically against a wall, the red band should be to the left of the viewer with the hoist or the cord seam at the top. When it is displayed horizontally, the hoist should be to the left of the viewer and the red band at the top. When the flag is displayed next to or behind the speaker at a meeting, it must be placed to the speaker's right. When it is placed elsewhere in the meeting place, it should be to the right of the audience.

However as I mentioned, the colours used are wrong as well as other Vexillological errors

Textile colours:
Green - CKS 42 c Spectrum green
Black - CKS 401 c Blue black
White - CKS 701 c National flag white
Gold - CKS 724 c Gold yellow
Red - CKS 750 c Chilli red
Blue - CKS 762 c National flag blue
Approximate Pantone equivalents:
Green - 3415 c
Gold - 1235 c
Red - 179 c
Blue - reflex blue c
The colours used are not quite correct but that is probably because of the following!!
Treat your flag with respect;
The National Flag must at all times be treated with dignity and respect. In the Regulations Regarding the Flying of the National Flag, published just before the flag was adopted in 1994, the dos and don'ts are clearly spelled out. The flag must never:
Be allowed to touch the ground or floor.
Be used as a table cloth, or draped in front of a platform.
Be used to cover a statue, plaque corner stone etc. at unveiling or similar ceremonies.
Be used to start or finish any competition, race or similar event.
Be manufactured or used as underclothes, bath and floor mats or any similar demeaning application.
Be used for any commercial advertising in a manner that will distort or show disrespect to the flag.
I am sorry but to me this logo is still just wrong...

One of the best...

I read that the President had a good day and enjoyed his birthday trip to Iraq as well...






Personally I think it is time for the Chicks to retire... Oh no link? Well y'all know how to use Google dont'cha? I'm not going to put up a link to that unpatriotic bunch... and I am not even American!
Sometimes those that have such a hatred for the current president should pause to consider these words...
"Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president." Theodore Roosevelt (1858 - 1919)

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Fowl from afar...

This is a flock of Guineafowl at a distance of around 100m with x3 zoom... Next time I will try to sneak closer and use the tripod.
I am on leave at the moment and have been around Campus to see what is worth photographing and am amazed at how much wildlife we have wandering around.

Whatchadoing?

Watchadoing there Dutchess?
Me intently watching what The Girl's cat Dutchess is doing under the cars in the carport... I may just pounce on her to surprise her...

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Unfaithfull? Me?

Recognising a flaw in one's Psyche is painfull... and enlightening as well as unfettering... today was one of those Lightbulb moments. Sometimes being unfaithfull is not what you think it is... yet being uninvolved or detached sounds so much less hurtfull however I realise now it is the same as being unfaithfull... so how do you fix it? When I listened to Rhianna's song Unfaithfull it was explained to me thus... words reworked to suit.

Story of my life
Searching for the right
But it keeps avoiding me
Sorrow in my soul
cause it seems that wrong
really loves my company

She's more than a girl
and ther is more than love
the reason that the sky is blue
the clouds are rolling in
because I'm gone again
and to her I just can't be true

and I know that she knows I'm unfaithful
and it kills her inside
to know that I am happy with some other gal
I can see her dying

I don't wanna do this anymore
I don't wanna be the reason why
Everytime I walk out the door
I see her die a little more inside
I don't wanna hurt her anymore
I don't wanna take away her life
I don't wanna be...
a murderer

I feel it in the air
as I'm doing my hair
preparing for another day
A kiss up on my cheek
she's here reluctantly
as if I'm gonna be out late
I say I won't be long
Just hanging with the guys
A lie I didn't have to tell
Because we both know
where I'm about to go
and we know it very well

cause I know that she knows I'm unfaithful
and it kills her inside
to know that I am happy with some other gal
I can see her dying

I don't wanna do this anymore
I don't wanna be the reason why
Everytime I walk out the door
I see her die a little more inside
I don't wanna hurt her anymore
I don't wanna take away her life
I don't wanna be...
a murderer

Her trust
I might as well take a gun and put it to her head
Get it over with
I don't wanna do this
Anymore (anymore)

I don't wanna do this anymore
I don't wanna be the reason why
Everytime I walk out the door
I see her die a little more inside
I don't wanna hurt her anymore
I don't wanna take away her life
I don't wanna be...
a murderer (a murderer)

No no no no

Yeah yeah yeah

So yeah... now to start the fixing... you see... sometimes Music is better thann therapy! What with Blogging and listening to music things become clearer every day... I still feel like a dog though...

"This is pretty much what journals are all about, at least to me. I knew as I wrote them that even though they provided an excellent place for brain (and heart, and psyche) dump, they were mainly a map of me." Colleen Wainwright, communicatrix, 03-23-2006

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

While we were sleeping...

America celebrated Independence Day and Dutchessmisses The Girl over there in the USA...
while I do what I like best...

We have Liftoff... Independence day 2006

Mission STS-121 is launched on Independence Day... the best fireworks ever for NASA... It may be 3 days later than scheduled but I think one should never overlook coincidences.
We wish the crew Bon Voyage and a safe return, may this be a sign of more success in the future for NASA and all the people that strive to further the exploration of our Universe.

Why Independence is not cheap...

Dan's work is amazing... hope he does not mind me putting this up as a tribute to both him and the people that ensure that Freedom reigns. Happy Independence Day Yanks!

"America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens." George W. Bush (1946 - ), Inaugural address, 2001

However from the quote for the post I chose I realise that this is what America is demanding from its citizens at present...

Independence does not come cheap...

Dan's work is amazing... hope he does not mind me putting this up as a tribute to both him and the people that ensure that Freedom reigns.
Happy Independence Day Yanks!












Crossposted at One Reality 一真 Kazuma and here are words spoken that are apt for today...
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." Ronald Reagan (1911 - 2004)

Monday, July 03, 2006

I'm getting famous... and sleepy...

I see that Canberra BK's posting about me is the first link you get when you do a GoogleSearch for "myoo cat", Thanks BK!
I was very sad to read about Tiffy... The Man was so glad he could give me a home... Sometimes he is very sad when he hears about Beans treating cats and other animals badly... he says he can judge a persons character by how they treat Furrybeans...

Ummm as it is very late I think I will take a nap now...

Every drop counts... 50 and counting!

My 50 donations medal and lapel pin... thanks for the Cookies SANBS!
Now for the next 50, I hope I get that done in 10 years not 25!
As a donor and former recipient I am glad to get to donate every 65 odd days... I really hope I can still be doing my bit when I am old and bent...



And this says why we donors do it!

Amber in pensive mood.


My older sister looking very pensively at the passing scene from the patch of lawn...

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Seeing the little things...

I am so happy with my new camera... Took some pictures around and about the flat today and while viewing them saw something amazing. This flower is about life size in the first picture and the image is reduced -75% from the original Jpeg to fit here... then I notice this tiny black speck on the base of the flower...
with some cropping... turns out to be an Ant! This was just cropped out of the original Jpeg image and not enlarged at all... amazing clarity!
I had not even noticed it when taking this picture in Macro mode... Expect more from me crawling around with camera in hand.

"An ant is over six feet tall when measured by its own foot-rule." Slovenian proverb.