If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?

Sorry, but I have to have a long overdue rant on politics.


The government in their wisdom have decided that people need to get off benefits.  And they are also going to make loads of people employed by the state (directly or indirectly) unemployed by making loads of job cuts.  So, at the same time as unemployment is going to increase, both help and benefits to those who are unemployed are going to be cut.  And this makes sense how?

I understand the view of many on the Labour Party that the drastic spending cuts being planned now are insane.  At a time when the economy needs to recover, sacking loads of people makes no sense.  Without money, they will no longer be able to buy things, which means that the economy will no longer be stimulated.  Let alone a progressive budget that will actually harm those who are less well off.  As noted by Ed Balls on Any Questions on Friday night, cuts that are too drastic can harm the economy, not just in the same manner as they did in the great depression, but also by resulting in a problem with the nations credit rating as has happened in Eire.  Loads of people love to talk about the deficit, but when you look at the deficit compared to GDP, the UK actually is not that bad.

RANK COUNTRY (% OF GDP) DATE OF INFORMATION

1 Zimbabwe 282.60 2009 est. 2 Japan 189.30 2009 est. 3 Saint Kitts and Nevis 185.00 2009 est. 4 Lebanon 156.00 2009 est. 5 Jamaica 124.50 2009 est. 6 Italy 115.20 2009 est. 7 Greece 113.40 2009 est. 8 Singapore 113.10 2009 est. 9 Iceland 107.60 2009 est. 10 Sudan 103.70 2009 est. 11 Belgium 97.60 2009 est. 12 Sri Lanka 86.70 2009 est. 13 Egypt 80.10 2009 est. 14 Israel 78.40 2009 est. 15 Hungary 78.00 2009 est. 16 France 77.50 2009 est. 17 Portugal 76.90 2009 est. 18 Canada 75.40 2009 est. 19 Germany 72.10 2009 est. 20 Malta 69.40 2009 est. 21 Austria 69.30 2009 est. 22 United Kingdom 68.10 2009 est.

As you can see, the UK is in a better position than many of our EU counterparts.

Anyway, time to go.  Hope you all take care.   

I used to do a lot of rock climbing when I was younger, but I was much boulder back then.

Morning all. Hope you are all well.


I am in bed with the kids. My new job while much closer to home involves me working harder. Much harder than I thought. I felt that I did more than my fair share at my old place, examples being prescriptions and covering sickness. But this place is different. The work is divided in an equal manner, but there is more of it. So today, before I moonlight this afternoon, I am going into work to do some of the backlog of work that has built up.


Which means that I will not get to spend as much time with the kids. And they only stay small for so long.


My son has learned how to get women to do his bidding. When my wife has some kids and parents over, he would tell one mother that he needed to do a poo. The thing is that he has yet to be toilet/potty trained. We try and fail. But he loved getting grown women to strip him and wait on him!


My daughter in the meantime came back from school yesterday with a plaster on her knee. She fell down in the playground. Yes she did cry (a tiny bit she now says) and got both a plaster and a bravery sticker. Next week she starts full days! My daughter has moved on to that next stage. At the moment when she talks about what happened at school she seems to forget that she is being taught things. But I am hoping it is going in.


Anyway, take care all and I hope you like this joke...


Woman - A Chemical Analysis


Element : Woman
Symbol : Wo
Atomic Weight : Accepted as 118, but known to vary 105-175.
Discoverer : Adam
Occurrence : Copious quantities in all Urban areas, with slightly lower
concentrations in Suburban and Rural areas. Subject to seasonal
fluctuations.


Physical Properties :
a) Surface usually covered with painted film.
b) Boils at nothing, freezes without reason.
c) Melts if given special treatment.
d) Bitter if used incorrectly. Can cause headaches. Handle with care!
e) Found in various states; ranging from virgin metal to common ore.
f) Yields to pressure applied to correct points.


Chemical Properties :
a) Has great affinity for Gold, Silver, Platinum and many precious stones.
b) Absorbs great quantities of expensive substances.
c) May explode spontaneously if left alone on dates.
d) Insoluble in liquids, but there is increased activity when saturated in
alcohol to a certain point.
e) Repels cheap material. Neutral to common sense.
f) Most powerful money reducing agent known to Man.


Uses :
a) Highly ornamental, especially in sports cars.
b) Can greatly improve relaxation levels.
c) Can warm and comfort under some circumstances.
d) Can cool things down when it's too hot.


Tests :
a) Pure specimen turns rosy pink when discovered in natural state.
b) Turns green when placed beside a better specimen.


Caution :
a) Highly dangerous except in experienced hands. Use extreme care when handling.
b) Illegal to possess more than one.