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 | Not for Hindus ... just kidding. Random thoughts, comments on anything that takes my fancy. Strictly a my opinion only & if you do not like, don't read, agree to disagree & go away happy. No flames, (flamers OK), request for photo/green card/webcam action etc please. |
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| Tales From the Cafe 3 |
Feb 1, 2008 8:33 pm
Mood: Still Knackered & Annoyed, 444 Views | You leave for just a couple of days and things go awry.
In the midst of my uncle's fine problem, we came back to learn that someone had stolen from the cafe. Apparently, at around 6am in the morning, some idiot had decided to steal a couple of the hanging fabric lanterns adorning the back walkway to the cafe.
We were not particularly fussed about the loss of a couple of old lanterns which we received as a "I can't sell this so why don't you have it" gift from a neighbour. To be honest, no one had even noticed they were gone.
What perturbed us was the fact the thief actually cut the wires to and removed our entire CCTV camera facing the lanterns so we could not find out which Einstein had stolen them.
The lanterns probably cost a measly $60 between them. The camera costs us $200 to replace.
So we had a second visit with the police. This time we were the plaintiffs. For a case involving the theft of some fabric lanterns and a $200 CCTV camera, they sent 5 policemen.
Two took notes, two walked around the back of the cafe and one just stared at the posters and menu.
When they asked if we wanted to file a report, we said we were more concerned about the sudden criminal element that had entered the quiet, neighbourly street. And when my uncle asked, "Will it make a difference if we did file a report?", there was just sheepish smiles and downcast eyes.
I am not impressed. | |
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9 Comments | |
| Tales From the Cafe 2 |
Feb 1, 2008 8:07 pm
Mood: Knackered & Annoyed, 426 Views | I had to rush back to the cafe yesterday evening, having just departing a couple of days ago, after receiving an urgent call for aid from the uncle.
But it had to be done so I made the insane flight over and flew back out again to arrive back at my hotel at 7.30am today. Now I am too knackered to sleep.
What could be so urgent that I would fly over for a scant few hours? Well, in one word ... stupidity.
He'd been travelling an unbelievable amount the last year and had just moved to another house last month. Somehow a parking fine from the authorities had been imposed on him but was sent to the old address.
Since he had not received any notification being disinclined to check his mail at the old house because of the simple fact he's not even in the country, this fine apparently lapsed for months before the authorities put out a warrant for his arrest.
Which no one knew of since the police notice was also sent to the previous address.
So imagine my poor uncle's astonishment when he tried to make some other payment to the authorities only to be told that he was going to be arrested.
He called the police to ask what he should do to sort it out. The police told him that he had to turn himself in at the police station, with a bail bondsperson above 21 years of age to pay his bail. They would give him a statement, and he would have to go to the relevant authority to pay the fine which had lapsed, take the receipt and return to the police station, whereupon they would cancel the warrant of arrest and return his money.
This entire process would take a couple of days. Which he did not have as he was supposed to depart this afternoon for yet another business trip.
He asked, could he not pay the fine at the police station and was told no. He asked if he could pay the fine at the relevant authority and they send a letter to the police to withdraw the warrant. They said no. He asked could he just turn at up the police station without a bondsperson and just pay his own bail before going to pay his fine. The answer was no. He asked what would happen if he decided not to pay the fine till he returned three weeks later. They said they would have to go to the cafe to take him in in handcuffs, bring him to Night Court and pay his fine.
My uncle paused. And asked, "So if I get arrested now, I go to Night Court tonight, pay the fine and then I am released in the morning?"
"Yes."
"But if I do as the procedures asks, I have to go find a bail bondsperson, go to you, pay the bail money & get a statement. Rush to the relevant authorities building before close of business day, which is almost impossible as it's 3.30pm now. Pay the fine and get a receipt probably tomorrow. Go back to you and get the warrant voided and collect my money back. And all this will take at least 2 days?"
"Yes."
"What time are you coming to arrest me please?"
Unfortunately most of the close relatives had gone to Thailand for a cousin's wedding. The rest were scattered all over the place. I was the nearest person around. Everyone else left were either untrustworthy (to him anyway) or would not be able to resist spreading the goss about his brush with the law to the rest of the extended family & complete strangers.
So I flew over, call the family lawyer and off we went to sort out the mess, hopefully before he had to fly out in the afternoon.
We did not have to go to prison or be in handcuffs. We did not have to pay bail. We only had to go pay the fine because it was pointed out by our lawyer that it was the authorities' fault for not updating the address or sending such important missives like fine and police notices by registered mail.
But you know what the kicker was?
The parking fine was for $40.
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7 Comments | |
| What Dreams May Come |
Jan 31, 2008 7:08 am
Mood: contemplative, 475 Views | I awoke from a dream tonight. They say we dream in black and white but mine are always in vivid tecnicolour and I often awake with clear, complete recall.
I was transported to some other faraway place. Somehow I knew it was a strange land even for me but how I knew, I do not know. I sensed vague chaos as if through a fog of complacency or deliberate ignorance.
Before my innate curiosity could seep in, I realised there was an insistent warmth on the right side of my body. I turned my head.
A little boy sat on my right lap. I felt and somehow knew his little legs were wrapped comfortably around my waist as I supported his light weight against my hip.
I felt a mild sort of surprise. Not unpleasant or startled. Just vaguely confused. I smiled at him and he broke into a winsome, coy smile.
I looked at his pretty, round eyes and his slightly rounded, bulbous nose. His dusky brown skin. His rather full, rosebud lips. He was a pretty child but there was something wrong with him. In my haze I could not figure out what it was.
Was it his face? Something seemed a little twisted but I just could not identify it and my head started to hurt a little as I tried.
A fey look cast a shadow over his face. He gave me another winsome smile but there was now an almost adult intent behind his regard. A creeping unease came over me.
His lips did not move but somehow I heard him ask me to touch him as he took my left hand and started patting himself with it on his head.
There was something wrong with his head. I could not see but the knowledge claimed me regardless. He now seemed almost taunting. "Touch my head," he said. "Feel that?"
There was a slight dampness on his scalp. It felt uneven. He dipped his head downwards. "See?"
I saw. His scalp was all bumpy and disfigured. Patches of scant follicles over traumatised scalp vied for attention with verdant chunks of lush hair. There were sores on his scalp.
I realised he was a very sick, little boy indeed. I also understood why he now sported that slightly provocative smile, taunting me to reject him as others had. To perhaps throw his little body off me in horror.
There was anger in such a little child. So young and so hurt. Not just physically but spiritually. Mentally. Emotionally.
I felt woefully inadequate. I thought, "Why me?"
I had no choice. I must not show pity as that is not productive and will injure him more than rejection.
I did the only thing I knew. I smiled gently and said, "Yes, I see. I feel it."
And I slowly, carefully hugged him to me and kissed his cheek.
I awake. Very sad. And thoughtful.
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12 Comments | |
| Bite Your Tongue |
Jan 30, 2008 11:13 pm
Mood: Grossed Out, 432 Views |  | It's a good thing I'd already had my lunch as this article puts a foul taste on my mouth.
They always say hospital food is terrible but in Slovenia, it is not just a tongue in cheek statement.
A doctor was having a bite to eat in the hospital canteen when he spotted a strange piece of meat in his chicken risotto. Can I just say here that is is quite a marvel that he could identify it as "strange" as I have always been unable to sort out the mystery meat objects in hospital canteens.
Anyway, he complained about it and after some intense bickering, where the doctor insisted that it was not chicken, they actually sent it for tests. I certainly hope that it was not a state hospital as the idea that tax funds could be used so arbitrarily for expensive tests on mystery meat objects in hospital canteens ... well, I'll just bite my tongue.
When the tests came back, they were horrified to discover that it was part of a human tongue.
Much tongue wagging later, they concluded that a doctor must have accidentally dropped it into the food.
Raises hand. Question: Why would a doctor be walking around the canteen with a human tongue? Oh oh, and why was he so near the kitchen? Is there a Dr Hannibal at the hospital? There are more questions at the tip of my tongue but we'll leave it here.
Inspectors have since closed the canteen in Izola, southern Slovenia, to review hygiene standards. I think they should also go around reviewing who's missing a tongue as well.
A hospital spokesman insisted: "I can say clearly that we have never used patients' parts in any of our dishes."
Yes, you can mate since you're not the one missing a tongue.
Speechless indeed.
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4 Comments | |
| We're Not in Kansas Anymore, Are We ... er, Homie? |
Jan 30, 2008 9:30 pm
Mood: amused, 327 Views |  | I'm not quite sure what to think really. Obviously, parental support and good taste are mutually exclusive.
In a CNN report from Topeka, Kansas, a young man by the name of John Sebelius, 23, has released a board game entitled "Don't Drop the Soap".
As expected from such a lubricous title, the board game is prison-themed and comes from a class project at the Rhode Island School of Design.
According to the marketing material, the fame touts fun activities such as,
"Fight your way through 6 different exciting locations in hopes of being granted parole"
"Escape prison riots in The Yard, slip glass into a mob boss' lasagna in the Cafeteria, steal painkillers from the nurse's desk in the Infirmary."
Just like Monopoly, Don't Drop the Soap features cute little tokens like a bag of cocaine, a handgun and three character tokens - wheelchair-using 'Wheelz," muscle-flexing "Anferny" and business suit-clad "Sal 'the Butcher."'
How did this young man, whom I presume has never been behind bars (or at least, not the penitentiary kind) get the kind of freedom to bring such a wholesome game to market?
Because he also happens to be the son of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Magistrate Judge Gary Sebelius.
The governor's spokeswoman, Nicole Corcoran, said both parents "are very proud of their son John's creativity and talent."
The PR flake added that John Sebelius had legal advice prior to launch to ensure he followed proper requirements. I think he should also have sought psychiatric counsel actually.
Sebelius apparently took out a loan to pay for the production of his work. No mention if the loan came from MamandPappy Bank of America.
The game is peddled for USD34.99 on John Sebelius' website (includes packaging, shipping & handling). Soap not included I presume. It goes on the loose on January 31 as well at a shop called Hobbs in the college town of Lawrence.
But beware, the game is not for everyone. Corcoran sagely cautioned that the game is meant for "mature audiences - not children" and is meant for entertainment purposes.
Bugger, I had imagined that Sebelius was trying to train a new generation of criminals in the art of springing the joint. How about a baby version like Don't Drop the Rattle involving babies trying to escape from the crib?
It would feature "Escape infant riots in play yard, slip pooh into a playschool bully's baby food in the Nursery, steal pacifiers from the babysitter's handbag in the interim." And the tokens would be a bag of dirty diapers, a rattle, and three character tokens of pram-using "Pramster", baby bottle-flexing "Bottle", and nappy-clad "Naps the Smelly".
I think it could work.
For more information, you may contact him at the governor's mansion. Corcoran said the address will change when John Sebelius moves.
To prison?
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3 Comments | |
| The Blame in Spain Falls Mainly on The ... |
Jan 30, 2008 11:27 am
Mood: Indignant, 357 Views |  | I was frankly astonished at the gall of this man. Lynching would have been too good for him.
According to CNN, a Spanish businessman *cough arsehole* in Haro, Spain, withdrew a controversial lawsuit on Wednesday against the family of a teenage boy he had hit with his luxury car.
This charming individual by the name of Tomas Delgado indignantly filed a lawsuit demanding damages of 20,000 Euros (USD29,400) for his marred Audi A-8.
Oh, by the way, the boy died.
In August 2004, 17-year-old Enaitz Iriondo Trinidad was riding his bicycle, from a neighbouring village to the campground where his family was vacationing, when Delgado ran over him like a bat out of hell.
"A traffic report said Delgado was traveling 113 km per hour (70 mph) in an area where the speed limit is 90 km (55 mph). An independent expert hired by Trinidad's family said Delgado was going 173 km per hour (107 mph)."
It must have been a pretty hard collision (obviously since the boy is dead) because the boy's father heard the screech of the car from the campgrounds, and the teen was "dragged 106 meters (347 feet) along the rural highway".
Oh, the boy was also hit from behind.
But Delgado insisted that he was a victim too. And the judge presiding over the collision case agreed as he ruled that Delgado had committed no criminal infraction. Yes, obviously hitting someone from behind while driving above the speed limit and committing manslaughter is a natural, blameless occurrence.
After the collision, Delgado's insurance company paid out 33,000 Euros (USD48,500) to the Trinidad family. But two weeks later, stewing over the injustice of it all, this gent of the highest calibre countersued them for damages to his fragile little Audi. And for car rental costs.
According to Rosa Trinidad, the victim's (the boy, not Delgado) mother, said they were given only three days to appeal the ruling but understandably were too distraught to pursue it. Their lawyer (I wonder if his surname is Delgado too) also advised them not to pursue criminal charges.
When news of the case appeared in the media, it sparked a mass outrage from every clear thinking person with half a heart in Spain. Hundreds of people descended on the courthouse in support of the beleaguered Trinidads. Delgado did not attend the hearing as his lawyer informed the court his client felt the media persecution was tantamount to a public lynching.
Media persecution does not kill, mate. Well, except for Princess Diana. But being hit from behind by a big ass car does.
The pressure must have gotten to Delgado because his lawyer announced that they were dropping the case. To the loud applause of the crowd.
But he really should have known when to leave it alone as Senor Trinidad is now contemplating filing the criminal charges against Delgado that they were bamboozled out of.
A local prosecutor is also revisiting the case to see whether authorities can file fresh charges against Delgado.
So Audi ya like that, Senor Delgado?
CNN's Al Goodman contributed to this story |
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6 Comments | |
| Cakey Question |
Jan 30, 2008 10:42 am
Mood: curious, 315 Views |  | I spotted this cake at The Sneeze.
What does it look like to you? |
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2 Comments | |
| Painting Nuns |
Jan 30, 2008 10:19 am
Mood: Religious, 247 Views |  | Continuing on the theme of "what on earth were they thinking", is another inappropriate ad which got the Catholic church all impassioned.
I really do not get the ad and I was in agency for donkey years. But I must say ... nice butt.
Naked-Man Ad Riles Hub Catholics
Fitness Company Says Human Body Is Art
POSTED: 1 January 30, 2008
BOSTON -- A fitness club ad running in Boston magazine that depicts nuns sketching a naked man has triggered protests among some members of the Bay State's Catholic community.
The ad for the Equinox Fitness Club is running in this month's issue and two Catholic organizations blasted the photo Tuesday, the Boston Herald reported, saying the Catholic League, the Archdiocese of Boston and the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts all decried the ad as offensive.
C.J. Doyle of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts told the Herald the ad “portrays a callous contempt for the sensibility of Catholics.
The fitness company responded with a written statement saying, "Our ad campaigns are based on personal motivation and fantasy and throughout history the body has been considered a form of art."
The company only has one gym in Boston.
Copyright 2008 by The Boston Channel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
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0 Comments | |
| Yo, MunchkinM |
Jan 29, 2008 8:37 pm
Mood: Intrigued, 317 Views | Hey, MM, I saw this and thought of you.
Interesting article even though I have issues with the writing and presentation of data but I always do with Roger Highfield's articles.
Let me know what you think.
Scientist genetically engineer socially-awkward mice
By Roger Highfield, Science Editor
28/01/2008
Socially-awkward mice have been genetically engineered by scientists that will become a valuable new tool to help them understand and treat autism.
Autism is a catch-all definition used for a wide range of conditions marked by an inabililty to recognise and show emotions, lacking social skills.
Now the gauche mice, which have faulty signalling between brain cells, may provide a new tool for studying the root causes of the wide spectrum of disorders, and suggest new ways to treat them, reports a German team.
Genetic studies suggest that autism is highly heritable and hint that it is linked with a small number of faulty genes. To investigate the role of single-gene mutations, Prof Nils Brose and colleagues genetically engineered mice lacking a protein, called Neuroligin-4, involved in forming the connections between brain cells.
"We feel that we have developed a very specific animal model for autism research - but the strongest argument in favour of our mouse model is that we a copying in mice a mutation that is known to cause autism in human patients," says Prof Brose, at the Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen.
Compared to normal mice, the mutant mice showed behaviour associated with autism, he says. The mutant mice spent less time interacting with other mice and showed no preference between another mouse and an inanimate object, such as an empty cage.
The mutant mice, as well as being much less social than their normal peers, also made fewer ultrasonic squeaks than control mice in social situations.
"We performed several other tests of social interaction (for example, testing aggressive territorial behaviour) in which the Neuroligin-4 mutants exhibited deficits."
Importantly, the team did a battery of tests to assess seeing, hearing, smelling, motor coordination (balance, distance travelled and so on), anxiety, exploratory behaviour, and memory. "In none of these tests did our mutant mice show deficits, indicating that we are dealing with a very specific behavioural deficit in social interaction and communication," says Prof Brose.
The findings indicate that single-gene mutations that disrupt the development or function of connections between brain cells may be an important cause of the disorders. The authors suggest that the mutant mice could be used to help probe the nature of the disorder and to develop new therapeutic strategies for autism.
"We think that our Neuroligin-4 mutant mouse model will be very helpful because as many as one to three per cent of autistic patients are thought to carry mutations in Neuroligin genes," says Prof Brose.
"This is a significant number that - together with the fact that genes encoding proteins that are functionally related to Neuroligins also cause autism (for example SHANK3 and Neurexin-1) - shows that we are dealing with quite a large number of autism patients whose disorder is likely to be caused by malfunction of the Neuroligin system, and concomitant deficits in signalling between nerve cells."
Around one child in every 100 - mostly males - has autism and the number of cases seems to be on the increase, though some argue that it is due to greater awareness and changes in diagnosis.
In the spectrum of conditions that count as autism, the largest groups are classic autism and Asperger syndrome. Both share features: a difficulty in developing social relationships, a difficulty in communication, the presence of unusually strong, narrow interests, and a strong adherence to routines.
They differ in that in classic autism, the person might have an IQ at any point on the scale, even in the learning disabled range, and the person invariably had a language delay as a toddler.
In Asperger syndrome, the person is always at least average in IQ, and may be well above average, and talked on time as a toddler.
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6 Comments | |
| Classy Babes |
Jan 29, 2008 7:31 am
Mood: mellow, 362 Views |  | Studies have shown that classical music helps babies sleep. |
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6 Comments | |
| To link to this blog (Whatsherface) use [blog Whatsherface] in your messages. |
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