Quotations for today

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes. - Mahatma Gandhi
Nearly all marriages, even happy ones, are mistakes: in the sense that almost certainly (in a more perfect world, or even with a little more care in this very imperfect one) both partners might be found more suitable mates. But the real soul-mate is the one you are actually married to. - J. R. R. Tolkien, in a letter to Michael Tolkien, March 1941
To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer. Farmers' Almanac, 1978

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It's good to talk, but we've lost the art of conversation

From the Guardian: Creativity and freedom have given way to egotism and adversarialism

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Mo Mowlam reported 'critical' in London hospital

Former Northern Secretary Dr Mo Mowlam is critically ill in hospital tonight.

Dr Mowlam previously suffered a brain tumour and has appeared increasingly frail in recent months.

The ex-MP is at London's King's College Hospital where a spokeswoman described her condition as "critical but stable".

Dr Mowlam served as the British government minister for the North from May 1997 to October 1999, during the crucial phase during which the Belfast Agreeement was signed in 1998.

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Actually, I think I may like the silly season

A story from Sky about Natwest apologising to a customer after sending him a debit card bearing the name "Dick Head".

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Good old fashioned yank and hack to fix Space Shuttle

Armed with forceps and a saw, Astronaut Stephen Robinson will attempt to remove two ceramic strips stciking out of Shuttle Discovery's heat shield. He will first attempt to pull them out with his hands, if that fails, pull them out with a forceps, and failing that, hack them off with a hacksaw. So much for technology, eh?

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The efforts some soldiers go to to avoid their letters being censored

The an intersting article on the BBC about letters written by soldiers in a time of war. "My dear/dearest/darling, I can't write much today as I am very overworked/busy/tired/lazy.
We/The Huns put up a bit of a show last night/yesterday with(out) complete/tolerable/any success. I am suffering from a slight/severe wound/shock/shell-shock.
How are the poultry including cows/potatoes/children getting on?
________________________ (Insert here protestations of affection - NOT TO EXCEED 10 WORDS)
Ever _____ (State what ever) xxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

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Don't you just hate the silly season?

Don't you just hate the silly season?, especially when you find crud like this: One of the original members of Westlife, Michael Garret, has graduated as a garda. He originally sang with the band IOU before they were turned into Westlife by Louis Walsh.

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