Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Amway ahead of you
Valya and Volodya dropped in this afternoon to bring Tanya her Amway laundry detergent and pre-wash spot remover. That stuff sure is concentrated but it works. My mom used Amway laundry detergent and liked it. I don't ask about price. Happy is all that counts.
Another reason why I like my new dog walking path - it is uphill for the first kilometer than downhill for the remaining two km. Kind of like a roller coaster, once I hit the top, gravity takes over. Volk decided to be a dipstick and run off tonight. I will go out in a few minutes and see if he is back yet. He was back for a while, playing with the cat but took off when he saw Tanya coming to catch him. I don't blame him. I would let them both run if I could. Dog runs, cages, chains and leashes are not my thing.
The cat has been all goofy these past few days. Comes in the house, meowing his head off, follows me around. I offered him some sausage and he was too full to eat it. Rolls over for me to rub his tummy, like a pup. Likes his throat and chest scratched. Then he finds a warm spot in the sun and sleeps for hours. We were watching the Science Channel about big cats and Kuchma wasn't the least interested. Until the program changed to regular cats which meowed; then he perked up.
Speaking of big cats, I would love to get a bottle of lion urine from a zoo and go around the neighbourhood with a spray bottle marking tress and such. That would put the fear of God into every dog in the country.
I really do need to up my meds.
Another reason why I like my new dog walking path - it is uphill for the first kilometer than downhill for the remaining two km. Kind of like a roller coaster, once I hit the top, gravity takes over. Volk decided to be a dipstick and run off tonight. I will go out in a few minutes and see if he is back yet. He was back for a while, playing with the cat but took off when he saw Tanya coming to catch him. I don't blame him. I would let them both run if I could. Dog runs, cages, chains and leashes are not my thing.
The cat has been all goofy these past few days. Comes in the house, meowing his head off, follows me around. I offered him some sausage and he was too full to eat it. Rolls over for me to rub his tummy, like a pup. Likes his throat and chest scratched. Then he finds a warm spot in the sun and sleeps for hours. We were watching the Science Channel about big cats and Kuchma wasn't the least interested. Until the program changed to regular cats which meowed; then he perked up.
Speaking of big cats, I would love to get a bottle of lion urine from a zoo and go around the neighbourhood with a spray bottle marking tress and such. That would put the fear of God into every dog in the country.
I really do need to up my meds.
An Exchange of Views
I love The Economist. Partly because much of it is online and free. Partly because it is as unbiased news source as one is likely to find (ie I agree with its viewpoints more often than not). Partly because each article on their website is followed by a comments section. The comments section is sometimes more informative than the article in that information is added by readers. Sometimes it is just entertaining. The following exchange occured after an article regarding the use of private security contractors (Blackwater) in Iraq.
AW105
Seriously people? As if locating, targeting, and assassinating al-Qaeda members is wrong? I only wish they had actually followed through and carried out the program.
Ibn Khaldun
Seriously people? As if locating, targeting, and assassinating the people who set up military bases in your country and routinely invade or set up dictators in your neighbouring countries is wrong?
John Swartz
Ibn Khaldun, of course it's wrong to kill Westerners. We bear the burden of managing an incredibly complex world. We are the source of virtually all the innovation and wealth creation of the past three centuries. If we set up military bases in your country, it is to protect you. If we invade your country it is because your government is a retrograde abomination. If we establish a dictator in your country, it is because we have a low regard for your ability to govern yourself.
If you have a problem with any of that, pray to your God and see if He stops us.
AW105
Seriously people? As if locating, targeting, and assassinating al-Qaeda members is wrong? I only wish they had actually followed through and carried out the program.
Ibn Khaldun
Seriously people? As if locating, targeting, and assassinating the people who set up military bases in your country and routinely invade or set up dictators in your neighbouring countries is wrong?
John Swartz
Ibn Khaldun, of course it's wrong to kill Westerners. We bear the burden of managing an incredibly complex world. We are the source of virtually all the innovation and wealth creation of the past three centuries. If we set up military bases in your country, it is to protect you. If we invade your country it is because your government is a retrograde abomination. If we establish a dictator in your country, it is because we have a low regard for your ability to govern yourself.
If you have a problem with any of that, pray to your God and see if He stops us.
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Irish and the Ukrainians
I have always said that the Irish and the Ukrainians have a great deal in common . Both have spent much of history as colonies of not very nice neighbours.
There have been anti-government protests recently in Kyiv and one banner read "We are against everyone". Definitely Irish.
There have been anti-government protests recently in Kyiv and one banner read "We are against everyone". Definitely Irish.
Independence Day
Today, August 24th is Ukrainian Independence Day. Ukraine has been an independent republic since 1991, when it separated from the fast disintegrating USSR. My buddy, Artur, celebrated by going to his in-laws to dig potatoes. He says you are only independent as long as you have something to eat.
Tanya's cold is better (???). It is now a dry hacking cough but breathing is easier.
Lena and Roman dropped in this afternoon for a short visit. Lena brought her friend Yulia whom we had not met before. Lena raided our garden for tomatoes and Musk Melons. After tea, I drove them home and then tried to find some bread. Our usual shop was closed for the national holiday and our little neighbourhood store was out of bread. Pancakes for breakfast. Yeah!!!
Dogs behaved well on their walk tonight and went home into their yard like good puppies should. I have a few fixed routes which I have walked a hundred times each. The key is to keep my dogs away from chickens, other dogs and grumpy neighbours so exploring is limited. Tonight in desperation, I walked an old route (along the marsh) from the other direction. Amazing how that changes the view, looking at it from the oposite side. The rushes are so high that they hide the trail in many places, so the humps and holes are new too. And the Russian Olive (Thanks, John) scratch me on the other side.
I am reminded of the man who had only bread and cheese to eat. Most days he ate bread and cheese. Some days he ate cheese and bread. Other days just cheese or just bread. I think I need to up my meds?
Tanya's cold is better (???). It is now a dry hacking cough but breathing is easier.
Lena and Roman dropped in this afternoon for a short visit. Lena brought her friend Yulia whom we had not met before. Lena raided our garden for tomatoes and Musk Melons. After tea, I drove them home and then tried to find some bread. Our usual shop was closed for the national holiday and our little neighbourhood store was out of bread. Pancakes for breakfast. Yeah!!!
Dogs behaved well on their walk tonight and went home into their yard like good puppies should. I have a few fixed routes which I have walked a hundred times each. The key is to keep my dogs away from chickens, other dogs and grumpy neighbours so exploring is limited. Tonight in desperation, I walked an old route (along the marsh) from the other direction. Amazing how that changes the view, looking at it from the oposite side. The rushes are so high that they hide the trail in many places, so the humps and holes are new too. And the Russian Olive (Thanks, John) scratch me on the other side.
I am reminded of the man who had only bread and cheese to eat. Most days he ate bread and cheese. Some days he ate cheese and bread. Other days just cheese or just bread. I think I need to up my meds?
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Counting the Days
We leave on the 11th, arrive in Calgary on the 12th. Today is the 23rd. There are 19 days until we leave and 20 days until #1 son and d-i-l meet us at the Calgary Airport.
Today I dragged out three suitcases; my two old black Samsonite clamshell hardsides that have been around the world with me a few times in the past 20 years and one good Canadian made softside. We have not had good luck with local made softsides. three have self destructed after one or two trips. The hardside weighs 2 kg more than the softside, meaning keeping under 20 kg is more difficult but they are indestructable.
We are starting to figure out what clothes we need to take and what we still need to buy to take with us. Like Tanya's bp meds.
Today I dragged out three suitcases; my two old black Samsonite clamshell hardsides that have been around the world with me a few times in the past 20 years and one good Canadian made softside. We have not had good luck with local made softsides. three have self destructed after one or two trips. The hardside weighs 2 kg more than the softside, meaning keeping under 20 kg is more difficult but they are indestructable.
We are starting to figure out what clothes we need to take and what we still need to buy to take with us. Like Tanya's bp meds.
You've Come a Long Way, Baby
Apparently Real Women don't want rights, only 'intellectuals' (ie those who can think?) according to this article on BBC News today.
Tens of thousands of people in Mali's capital, Bamako, have been protesting against a new law which gives women equal rights in marriage.
The law, passed earlier this month, also strengthens inheritance rights for women and children born out of wedlock.
The head of a Muslim women's association says only a minority of Malian women - "the intellectuals" as she put it - supports the law.
Several other protests have taken place in other parts of the country.
The law was adopted by the Malian parliament at the beginning of August, and has yet to be signed into force by the president.
One of the most contentious issues in the new legislation is that women are no longer required to obey their husbands.
Hadja Sapiato Dembele of the National Union of Muslim Women's Associations said the law goes against Islamic principles.
"We have to stick to the Koran," Ms Dembele told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme. "A man must protect his wife, a wife must obey her husband."
"It's a tiny minority of women here that wants this new law - the intellectuals. The poor and illiterate women of this country - the real Muslims - are against it," she added.
In another article, Iranian President Ahmadinejad, already in trouble with the moderates for allegedly fixing the election, is now in really deep trouble with the conservatives because he wants to bring three women into his cabinet.
"There are religious doubts over the abilities of women when it comes to management," said hardline lawmaker Mohammad Taghi Rahbar.
Tens of thousands of people in Mali's capital, Bamako, have been protesting against a new law which gives women equal rights in marriage.
The law, passed earlier this month, also strengthens inheritance rights for women and children born out of wedlock.
The head of a Muslim women's association says only a minority of Malian women - "the intellectuals" as she put it - supports the law.
Several other protests have taken place in other parts of the country.
The law was adopted by the Malian parliament at the beginning of August, and has yet to be signed into force by the president.
One of the most contentious issues in the new legislation is that women are no longer required to obey their husbands.
Hadja Sapiato Dembele of the National Union of Muslim Women's Associations said the law goes against Islamic principles.
"We have to stick to the Koran," Ms Dembele told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme. "A man must protect his wife, a wife must obey her husband."
"It's a tiny minority of women here that wants this new law - the intellectuals. The poor and illiterate women of this country - the real Muslims - are against it," she added.
In another article, Iranian President Ahmadinejad, already in trouble with the moderates for allegedly fixing the election, is now in really deep trouble with the conservatives because he wants to bring three women into his cabinet.
"There are religious doubts over the abilities of women when it comes to management," said hardline lawmaker Mohammad Taghi Rahbar.
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