20 things you didn't know about body

The human body is a machine that is full of wonder. This collection of human body facts will leave you wondering why in the heck we were designed the way we were.

Scientists say the higher your I.Q. the more you dream.

-The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the
male sperm.

-You use 200 muscles to take one step.

-The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.

-Your big toes have two bones each while the rest have three.

-A pair of human feet contain 250,000 sweat glands.

-A full bladder is roughly the size of a soft ball.

-The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades.

-The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as the Encyclopedia
Britannica.

-It takes the food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.

-The average human dream lasts 2-3 seconds.

-Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver
than men with hair.

-At the moment of conception, you spent about half an hour as a single cell.

-There is about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet.

-Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water
to a boil.

-The enamel in your teeth is the hardest substance in your body.

-Your teeth start growing 6 months before you are born.

-When you are looking at someone you love, your pupils dilate, they do the same
when you are looking at someone you hate.

-Blondes have more hair than dark-haired people.

-Your thumb is the same length of your nose.

Now I KNOW you are placing your thumb on your NOSE, aren't you?



Kindly e-mailed by Cousin Michael in France

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

A friend of mine, Esther de Angelis, has this as part of her e-mail signature:



“People aren’t lazy or unresourceful, they simply are uninspired in life – that is they don’t have a potent vision of themselves”.

It's Wednesday and it's still raining.

when will it end. Or is the end?

More media coverage

Managed to get into the latest issue of Focus. This is the quarterly magazine from Breast Cancer Campaign

The printing is a bit on the small side (so click the image to enlarge) and highlights my exploits in Tanzania in February. More on this here

Another Blogroll Change

Got bored with *LGF. So they've been consigned (temporarily) to my Room 101. Instead have replaced them with another US web/blog - Daily Shvitz

* LGF do a grand job of highlighting Arab terror, rarely reported by the pro-Arab BBC, like this

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Terror Attack in East Jerusalem

The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, terrorist wing of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas’ “moderate” Fatah party, has perpetrated a sneak attack against Israeli border guards in East Jerusalem: 4 injured in J’lem shooting attack; 2 gunmen killed.

Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at border patrol police in east Jerusalem late Saturday, injuring four, police said. Israeli border police at the scene fired at the attackers, killing both of them. Emergency services said four Israelis were injured and evacuated to hospital, one of whom was in serious condition.

The shooting took place in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheik Said, near the security fence. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a joint patrol of Israeli border police and civilian guards along the barrier. Channel 10 reported that the patrol was ambushed by the Palestinian shooters.

An offshoot of the violent Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, which is affiliated with the Fatah Party of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, claimed responsibility for the shooting attack, according to the Palestinian news Web site Maan.

Blog of the Week

Improve your understanding of English at:

Separated by a Common Language

What are you doing about Darfur?

This evening I attended an excellent talk arranged by the JCC. The meeting, which discussed the genocide in Darfur, was chaired by former MP, Stephen Twigg, who represented the Aegis Foundation. His guests were Ruth Messinger, President of the American Jewish World Service, Clive Lawton from the charity Tzedek and Dr. Mukesh Kapila, former head of the UN mission in Sudan.

The event was supported by the Pears Foundation who issued a booklet outlining the background to this first genocide of the 21st century. Their Executive Chair, Trevor Pears wrote this introduction:

Since 2003, the government of Sudan and their proxy militia, the Janjaweed, ( roughly translated means Devils on Horseback) have been waging a genocidal campaign against black African tribes in Darfur, western Sudan. Up to four hundred thousand men, women and children have died. A further two million people have fled their homes, with 200,000 living in refugee camps in Chad and the remaining languishing in camps for internally displaced persons in Darfur.
Trevor Pears' introduction went on to outline how Jewish communities could respond.

In the audience there were members of the Darfurian community in London. One of their members thanked the Jewish community for raising awareness and the state of Israel for managing to provide refuge for many of his people.

These facts were mentioned:

1. The British Government is considering repatriating asylum-seekers of Darfurian background back to Khartoum, the Sudanese capital.

2. The Sudanese air-force paints some of its aircraft in UN livery. Then uses the same aircraft to attack civilians.

3. Pressure should be placed on the Chinese government who purchase oil from Sudan. 70% of the income derived from this trade is spent on arms.

All who attended were urged to write to their MP's. Can I ask the same of UK bloggers? Here's a sample letter:

Dear.......

I am writing to you as a matter of urgency regarding the situation in Darfur. As you will be aware there has been a wave of violence over the past four years against those of black African
descent living in the area. Cautious estimates are that 200,000 have been murdered, although many humanitarian and campaign organisations suggest it is more likely that 400,000 people have been killed, with violence, gang rapes and forced displacement also taking place.

Whilst I support Tony Blair's recent staement that there is a need for a "no-fly zone" over Sudan, these words must be coupled with action. The no fly zone must be pushed at the United Nations, alongside the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force along the Chad-Darfur border. Statements are of no use to the vulnerable people of Darfur unless they are turned into a reality.

Additionally, I ask you to address the situation in the UK of detaining and deporting of asylum seekers back to to Khartoum. Not only does this put individuals in huge danger but sending asylum seekers back to Khartoum, the capital city from where the government-backed violent regime is organised, sends a message to the Sudanese government that the UK does not recognise the gravity of the situation in Darfur. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has recommended that it is too dangerous to deport Darfuri asylum seekers back to Sudan. I urge you to challenge this policy of the Home Office immediately.

Public Speaking (Fear of)

Over at my main site, I've received an interesting comment concerning the fear of public-speaking. It's all to do with of adrenalin. Take a look at Christina's remarks. It may alter your view on your fear of public-speaking.

Sheryl Crow on toilet paper

A way of "saving the environment" according to singer Sheryl Crow is to use less toilet paper. One square is all you need according to this addle-brained, dimwitted, has-been singer songwriter.
Another one of her crack-pot ideas is that everyone should live in a space no bigger than 100 sq. feet.

Green politics = mental disorder

Dreamland's slow death

Dr Simon Moores of Thanet Life posted these two photos of Dreamland at Margate. They show the huge contrast in the funfair's fortunes. Margate, like so many of Britain's seaside resorts have become almost ghost-towns. Cheap foreign holidays, English weather and poor facilities have condemned places like Margate to the scrapheap.

Successful seaside resorts like Bournemouth, Eastbourne, Brighton & Blackpool appear to have have adapted to change. Presumably, their local authorities have had the foresight to re-invent their respective towns in order to cater for modern trends. There's no reason why this couldn't have happened to my home town. Moreover, just down the road at Manston/Kent International Airport, there's the third longest runway in the country. Why can't it be London's fourth airport? Plans are underway for a fast train link to London nearby and Margate's silted-up harbour could be turned into a magnificent marina. I could go on.....

Days to Remember by Simon Moores

With summer upon us early this year, here's a photo of Dreamland in all its glory.

I can still recall the smell of the hot dogs and onions and the excitement of the rides and attractions, when as a small boy, I was allowed my annual outing to the amusement park when it was the heart of Margate's summer tourism industry.

Here also is a photo that I took more recently. Do you notice any small differences?

Altruism at Virginia Tech last week

Blonde Sagacity wrote this about Holocaust survivor Liviu Librescu, who protected students from Cho Seung-Hui and in doing so, lost his life.

She said......................

"Given that in a high pressure situation, altruism was his innate instinct… I doubt he would have allowed it to go down any other way. And I can’t help but think of the glaring divide between the fundamentalist Muslim that will blow himself up taking numerous innocents with him --and the Holocaust surviving Jew that will be killed to save the innocents... What a wonderful legacy".

Do Bloggers feel isolated?

Are you an academic, or thinking and regular Blogger?

Do you feel lonely, isolated even depressed?

In a post by my friend Gloria Moss of the University of Glamorgan, she highlights difficulties faced by "British individualism" amongst academics. Does this extend to the Blogosphere and cyberspace in general?.

UPDATE
Looks like Dr Blogstein will be isolated after his outburst directed towards Tisha. What a schmuck.

Sir Martin Sorrell (3)

Posted this about Sir Martin recently.

And the defamation case in which Sir Martin was awarded £100000 in damages finished yesterday and for some reason today's Times Online appears to have a bit of a dig. Is it their general view about these types of cases, or the huge legal bills that both sides will have to cough up?

Watch out Jeremy!!

The latest cartoon from Gaping Void says it all!!

10 top tips for maintaining a healthy weight

Whilst I'm on the subject of maintaining a healthy weight, I've decided to post 10 top tips from the Cancer Research UK website. There's tons of good advice here. When you read down the list I'm sure you'll see things that we could all do better. Like the one about watching TV whilst eating!!!

1. Keep to your meal routine. Try to eat at roughly the same times each day, whether this is two or five times a day. For more information, go to our Eating Habits section.
2. Go reduced fat. Choose reduced fat versions of foods such as dairy products, spreads and salad dressings where you can. Use them sparingly as some can still be high in fat. For more information, go to our Hidden Calories section.
3. Walk off the weight. Walk 10,000 steps (about 60-90 minutes of moderate activity) each day. You can use a pedometer to help count the steps. You can break up your walking over the day. For more information, go to our Walking section.
4. Pack a healthy snack. If you snack, choose a healthy option such as fresh fruit or low calorie yogurts instead of chocolate or crisps. For more information, go to our Healthy Meal Ideas section.
5. Look at the labels. Be careful about food claims. Check the fat and sugar content on food labels when shopping and preparing food. For more information, go to our Look at the Labels section.
6. Caution with your portions. Don’t heap food on your plate (except vegetables). Think twice before having second helpings. For more information, go to our Portion Caution section.
7. Up on your feet. Break up your sitting time. Stand up for ten minutes out of every hour. For more information, go to our Keep on Moving section.
8. Think about your drinks. Choose water or sugar-free squashes. Unsweetened fruit juice contains natural sugar so limit it to 1 glass per day (200ml / 1/3 pint). Alcohol is high in calories; try to limit the amount you drink. For more information, go to our Hidden Calories section.
9. Focus on your food. Slow down. Don’t eat on the go or while watching TV. Eat at a table if possible. For more information, go to our Eating Habits section.
10. Don’t forget your 5 a day. Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day (400g in total). For more information, go to our Five a Day section.

50 is the new 35

Alan Caruba over at the Anxiety Center writes about age. (I've always said 50 is the new 35):

Is 70 the New 50?

Recently I helped a friend of mine revise his resume. This gentleman, now in his early 70s, has a Ph.D. and the kind of knowledge and skills it literally takes a lifetime to acquire. But there’s a catch. Most of the people with whom he has worked over his distinguished career are no longer active.

What a waste

Because Americans are living longer, often enjoying good health late in life, the question must be asked, is 70 the new 50?

According to data from the Senior Job Bank, America’s workforce is aging. By 2006 more than 15% of the U.S. labor force was 55 or older. By 2004 there were more than 33 million people aged 65 or older living in America, representing 12.7% of the total population, about one out of every eight Americans. With every passing year, those numbers increase.

Senior citizens and aging baby boomers are the fastest growing demographic segment of the population. The stereotypes surrounding today’s senior frequently do not apply and this is especially true of those who have led vigorous intellectual lives in various professions and enterprises, and who want to continue.

Interesting point Alan raises here, he goes on...................

Old doesn’t mean brain-dead. It took the oldest President of our era to bring the Soviet Union to its knees and the senior citizen vote can determine who gets elected. A generation whose parents went through the Depression, who recall the abuse of presidential power that Watergate represents, or the folly of the Vietnam War, is not likely to be fooled by political clichés.

The irony is that, when they were born, the average life expectancy for a man was about 60 years of age. That’s why, when Social Security was introduced, one began receiving checks on reaching age 65. A lot of folks didn’t and the government, not their families, pocketed their withheld earnings.

Alan then outlines social welfare concerns in the US, before concluding

A nation that ignores a large part of its population with excellent skills is making a very big mistake. This is particularly true as we witness whole new generations that lack fundamental skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, many of whom have graduated from failed schools where indoctrination outweighs education. The cost of a college education today is truly obscene, saddling students with large debt before they even step out into the working world.

It is a fearful thing to encounter the gross ignorance of a younger generation that often seems only to know what it has "learned" from television and movies.

I am all for youth. However, until they can figure out what they’re going to do with their lives, it remains the task of older heads to insure they have a good future and I suspect that a vast treasure of people in their 70s—the "kids" who grew up preserving traditional values—are seeing their knowledge and skills wasted.

Writers like myself have a special advantage as we can work our trade well into our senior years. The age barrier, however, is very real and I suspect that many very capable seniors like my friend are encountering hardships despite being 70 and savvy.

Blogging Comments

This article appears at Todaysten.com Do you agree with the points made?

I've added my two-bobs worth in bright red

Lately I have been toying with the idea of allowing comments on www.TodaysTen.com. In true TodaysTen’s Fashion, I have came up with a list. 5 reasons each for allowing or not allowing comments on TodaysTen.com. From this post on, I will be running a trial to see if comments really do increase both the quantity and quality of readership. Of course I would hope that comments will stay and make TodaysTen and me a better resource for you.

5+5 Reasons for/Against comments on Blogs

The 5 reasons TO allow comments:

1. Readers become contributors and are more engaged
-> a. Readers are smart people and they can contribute intelligent viewpoints. Give them a chance! (Yes, and attracts all types of people)

2. Allow contributors to link to their blog
-> a. I would like to get into the head of my readers. So link your blog from your comments and I will visit your blog. If you do not have a blog, consider starting one. (Agreed)

3. Allow off topic discussion that may become the focus of your next post
-> a. I plan my writing every Sunday. The week’s writing is usually planned and written before the day of posting. I like to have a buffer in case I run out of topics to write. However I might still run out of ideas. So please tell me what else you are interested in and I will do my research and write an article on it. ( But what about breaking news?)

4. Allow you to know what your readers are reading and who they are
-> a. So far this blog has been a one way conversation. What do you all think of my writing so far? What else would you like to read? (getting feedback is great - even better if you can get a testimonial)

5. Allow for self improvement through criticism
-> a. I would like readers to point out my mistakes and shortcomings. If you had been consistently reading my blog, you would have a sense that I like self improvement. One of the best ways is through CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. So please help me by commenting on my short comings and how I can improve them. (You could make this the subject of a special post)

The 5 reasons NOT TO allow comments:

6. Spam Comments
-> a. Useless comment that says “I agree/disagree”, “Good Job/lousy job” etc
-> b. Truly spam comments from bots and people who have nothing to contribute and just want to promote their obviously glaring ulterior motives ( I agree isn't a useless comment, IMHO. Agree strongly with point b.)

7. No time to response to comments that attack you
-> a. I make it a point to make a post daily. I will also make it a point to read all comments religiously but I might not respond. I don’t like arguments and it takes 2 keyboards to argue over the internet, so if I won’t participate, hopefully you will go away.(or I can just delete your comment) - Agreed

8. Comments can be hijacked by one person starting a flame war
-> a. Again, I don’t like arguments. Especially if they are started because someone personally attacked someone. Internet conversations have an uncanny ability to morph into flame wars after the 10+ post. ( You may be able to "cut-off" comments after a period of time - check your blog platform)

9. Comments are unverified information by anonymous people
-> a. Anonymous people who hit and run are the worst type. Be active and visible. Link to your blog so that other readers can see who you are and the other viewpoints that you are bringing into the discussions. ( I delete those types of comments)

10. No one reads them most of the time
-> a. Comments require a click to open. 80% of the people won’t be clicking on them. Worst…what if my blog has low reader participation. Won’t it mean to new readers that this is a blog that is still waiting to be discovered? (Not if the post is provocative enough)

So now the floor is open! Comment to your hearts’ delight and tell me what you think!


Over to you!!

Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned

A touch of light-heartedness for a Wednesday morning.

This photo, as sent to me by Michael A. is a warning (of sorts).
Ought to be the sort of thing Theo Spark, Beau Bo D'or or The Spine should post.

I love "poorly-endowed slimeball".

Shame on you Steven.

What's your worst or most embarrassing personal situation? Have you been caught whilst attempting a "knee-trembler" in the bicycle sheds? Or perhaps you've attempted to set fire to a public building where your "ex" works?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOG

Yes, March 14th, 2006 is the anniversary of my first blog post. Although CP (in name) didn't come into existence until months later, the "Barry" post was there 12 months ago.

Since then things have blossomed. I've made inumerable internet friends from Ellee and Iain Dale to Graham Jones, Yid with Lid, James Higham, Tom Paine all those at BlogLog and Technorati, ooh, the list is endless. Well not endless, it's on the left-hand side of this Blog!

There are other friends too at the Trek site and at the JJ.com website.

All in all, it's been a fantastic 12 months.


(Mustn't forget all those chaps at the 2000 Bloggers project)

How not to have safe sex

New to the Blogosphere is Mad lass and her new Blog "Diary of a Mad lass"

Her latest post is about a Romanian man and his desire not to have any more children. He clearly is unaware about condoms and their correct application.

Perhaps JJ and Amanda Chapel in the States, Tisha, Ellee and Abby Lee
have something to say on this matter.

Over to you ladies......................