Journal Entries
Live and learn!
Posted Feb 12, 2009
I've just discovered that a woman who sits near me at work has a degree in anthropology...and her dissertation was on bonobos.
I don't think she's the kind of person I could talk to about penis fencing, though.
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Latest reply: Feb 12, 2009
A campaign.
Posted Jan 23, 2009
Let's see how long this lasts...
In the light of the BBC's bizarre refusal to publicise the Disaster Emergency Committee's Gaza appeal
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7846150.stm
I've changed my name. Above you will either see my U number, or the URL of the site for donations.
Anyone feel like following suit?
Civilian suffering is not, as the BBC claims, a political issue. It's a humanitarian issue.
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Latest reply: Jan 23, 2009
I disgraced myself.
Posted Dec 18, 2008
Oh dear. 
Last night we went to the school Christmas concert, where my daughter was singing in the choir. Hardly a dry eye, yadda yadda. As for the instrumentalists - I'm sure that their hard work and dedication at such a young age will hold them in good stead later in life.
But...
I defy you to find me *anything* that sounds funnier than 'Jingle Bells' played by a primary school brass ensemble.
My body shook with the effort of keeping a straight face.
Tears flowed down my cheeks.
I bit clear through my tongue.
And then they started in on 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'.
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Latest reply: Dec 18, 2008
Chomskyan Bingo.
Posted Dec 12, 2008
I heard a great example of Chomskyan Bingo (http://tinyurl.com/5gznls) on R4 (http://tinyurl.com/2ntcrd) yesterday:
"They don't have a tiger, because Umberto's niece was eaten by one, but they do have an elephant that plays the harmonica."
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Latest reply: Dec 12, 2008
Babylon!
Posted Nov 27, 2008
We had the Polis in our house tonight.
To explain the circumstances...
Some of you may know that we've had a long-standing territorial pissing dispute with our neighbours over parrking. They (ie she and ex-husband and various boyfriends) object if we park our car so that it intrudes even 6" into 'their' space - ie outside her house. We, on the other hand, don't give a flying fruitbat who parks where, and parking isn't a problem on our street (there are no houses directly opposite). In the past this has led to a minor assault on me. For the sake of an easy life, we try not to encroach - but sometimes it happens. Recently, she and the current bf have been at our door at various times of day demanding that we move our car immediately when 'our' space becomes free.
Anyway...the other day, first thing in the morning, her car rolled down the hill with only her seven year old son on board and hit our car, writing it off. (before continuing and hitting two others). Hey ho, these things happen and that's why we all pay insurance. Not a word of apology, but there you have it. The police attended, and we assumed that this was because there was a child involved. What we didn't realise was at first was that the policeman was the bf who'd been called off duty to hush it up. Convenient, no? Still - no skin off our nose and we were just glad the kiddie was OK.
So we get her insurance details (but still no apology) and arrange repair and a hire car. It all got needlessly complicated - all sorts of phone calls to arrange, plus being without a car for 2 days. B ut eventually we got a hire car delivered and parked outside in 'their' space...although there was still a hassle arranging to get our car towed.
So...I got on the phone. After about 30 mins of telephone anomie, getting passed from one monkey to another, the doorbell went. C answered and there seemed to be an argument going on. It was the bf. It seemed that he was convinced that we'd parked in 'their' space in revenge for the accident and we had to move the car right there and then. I tried explaining that the car had only been their ten minutes and I was currently talking to *their* insurer and would get to it presently, but he wasn't having it. I closed the door on him. He kept ringing. I finished my call and opened it. The recovery company called, so I took that call. I asked him to please go away. He didn't. I finished the call, and he said 'Right! Will you move it now, then?' I said 'You know what? I've just been on the phone for half an hour. I'm gagging for a cup of tea.' Her rang our bell and knocked at our door and windows for forty-five minutes.
We rang the police.
They turned up and sort of *half* took statements...but basically tried to fob us off. Do you reckon they'll pursue it? Me neither! On the other hand...I don't reckon he'll have a great day at work tomorrow. Just think of how much paperwork he's given his bosses!
So why are we the ones who are left quivering like jellies?
Babylon!
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Latest reply: Nov 27, 2008
Edward the Bonobo - Gone.
Researcher U803114
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