Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Pedantics...
The royal family costs every tax payer 62p. Now, what can you buy more useful than the royal family for 62p?
-62 penny sweets
-2 and a half loaves of bread
-2 bags of onions
-2 and a bit bags of pasta
-Pick me up and 2 penny sweets
-2 packs of chewing gum
-a can of pop and a bit
-about 5 pens
-a notebook
-a couple of stamps
-3 postcards to send to people
-a newspaper-which cn then be turned into paper chains, hats, ships, very good for lighting fires, wrapping fish...
You get the idea. Ok so I dont pay tax yet, but Id rather have one of the above than the royal family...
-62 penny sweets
-2 and a half loaves of bread
-2 bags of onions
-2 and a bit bags of pasta
-Pick me up and 2 penny sweets
-2 packs of chewing gum
-a can of pop and a bit
-about 5 pens
-a notebook
-a couple of stamps
-3 postcards to send to people
-a newspaper-which cn then be turned into paper chains, hats, ships, very good for lighting fires, wrapping fish...
You get the idea. Ok so I dont pay tax yet, but Id rather have one of the above than the royal family...
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Bless...
Tips if you're worried
More information
Click here for our tips on staying safe
Click here to find out how schools are kept safe
If you're worried because of something you've heard in the news:
Always check the facts if you hear a nasty story - it might not be true or it could be exaggerated.
Remember that things in the news are often in the news because they don't happen very often.
Discuss the news with your parents or friends, or chat about it on a message board. You'll be reassured that you're not the only one worried.
You could also talk to your teacher about it - maybe you could have a class discussion which would help you understand the issue better.
More information
Click here for our tips on staying safe
Click here to find out how schools are kept safe
If you're worried because of something you've heard in the news:
Always check the facts if you hear a nasty story - it might not be true or it could be exaggerated.
Remember that things in the news are often in the news because they don't happen very often.
Discuss the news with your parents or friends, or chat about it on a message board. You'll be reassured that you're not the only one worried.
You could also talk to your teacher about it - maybe you could have a class discussion which would help you understand the issue better.
In the news...
Being watched 'improves honesty'
Participants were nearly three times as likely to act honestly
The feeling of being watched makes people act more honestly, even if the eyes are not real, a study suggests.
A Newcastle University team monitored how much money people put in a canteen "honesty box" when buying a drink.
They found people put nearly three times as much in when a poster of a pair of eyes was put above the box than when the poster showed flowers.
The brain responds to images of eyes and faces and the poster may have given the feeling of being watched, they say.
Writing in the journal Biology Letters, the team say the findings could aid anti-social behaviour initiatives.
The experiment made use of a long-running honesty box scheme based in a canteen at Newcastle University.
It does raise the possibility that you could get people to behave more co-operatively or pro-socially by putting up pictures of eyes
Dr Melissa Bateson
Newcastle University
Over the course of 10 weeks, an A5 poster listing hot drink prices was placed at eye-level above the honesty box.
Each week the poster featured different images of either flowers or a pair of eyes looking directly at the observer.
At the end of every week, the team calculated the total amount of money collected and the amount of drink likely to have been consumed.
Processing faces
Dr Melissa Bateson, a behavioural biologist from Newcastle University and the lead author of the study, said: "We found that people paid 2.76 times as much money when we put a notice on the wall that featured a pair of eyes as opposed to when the image was of some flowers."
She believes this happens because the eyes on the poster may affect people's perception that they are being watched by other people.
"Although it was just a photocopied black and white poster, we know that people's brains are set up to process faces and eyes, and that is probably because it is very important for us to know if we are being watched by other people."
The scientists believe their findings may have applications in initiatives to curb anti-social behaviour or for law enforcement.
"It does raise the possibility that you could get people to behave more co-operatively or pro-socially by putting up pictures of eyes," said Dr Bateson.
"It would work particularly in instances where people have to make a choice between whether to behave well or badly."
She said CCTV or speed cameras might be a possible application.
Professor George Fieldman, an evolutionary psychologist from Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, said: "This paper beautifully demonstrates that people behave better when being watched.
"It would be interesting to know how one can apply these sorts of findings more generally in organisational structures and in society in general to maximise upon honourable and altruistic behaviour."
Participants were nearly three times as likely to act honestly
The feeling of being watched makes people act more honestly, even if the eyes are not real, a study suggests.
A Newcastle University team monitored how much money people put in a canteen "honesty box" when buying a drink.
They found people put nearly three times as much in when a poster of a pair of eyes was put above the box than when the poster showed flowers.
The brain responds to images of eyes and faces and the poster may have given the feeling of being watched, they say.
Writing in the journal Biology Letters, the team say the findings could aid anti-social behaviour initiatives.
The experiment made use of a long-running honesty box scheme based in a canteen at Newcastle University.
It does raise the possibility that you could get people to behave more co-operatively or pro-socially by putting up pictures of eyes
Dr Melissa Bateson
Newcastle University
Over the course of 10 weeks, an A5 poster listing hot drink prices was placed at eye-level above the honesty box.
Each week the poster featured different images of either flowers or a pair of eyes looking directly at the observer.
At the end of every week, the team calculated the total amount of money collected and the amount of drink likely to have been consumed.
Processing faces
Dr Melissa Bateson, a behavioural biologist from Newcastle University and the lead author of the study, said: "We found that people paid 2.76 times as much money when we put a notice on the wall that featured a pair of eyes as opposed to when the image was of some flowers."
She believes this happens because the eyes on the poster may affect people's perception that they are being watched by other people.
"Although it was just a photocopied black and white poster, we know that people's brains are set up to process faces and eyes, and that is probably because it is very important for us to know if we are being watched by other people."
The scientists believe their findings may have applications in initiatives to curb anti-social behaviour or for law enforcement.
"It does raise the possibility that you could get people to behave more co-operatively or pro-socially by putting up pictures of eyes," said Dr Bateson.
"It would work particularly in instances where people have to make a choice between whether to behave well or badly."
She said CCTV or speed cameras might be a possible application.
Professor George Fieldman, an evolutionary psychologist from Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, said: "This paper beautifully demonstrates that people behave better when being watched.
"It would be interesting to know how one can apply these sorts of findings more generally in organisational structures and in society in general to maximise upon honourable and altruistic behaviour."
On this day...
1957: Smoking 'causes lung cancer'
The link between smoking and lung cancer is one of 'direct cause and effect', a special report by the Medical Research Council has found.
The report, published today, studied the dramatic increase in deaths from lung cancer over the past 25 years and concluded the main cause was smoking.
But tobacco firms have rejected the findings saying they are merely a 'matter of opinion'.
The government has indicated that an educational campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of smoking will be launched via local health authorities.
Shares unaffected
The report states that in 1945 the mortality rate from lung cancer was 188 deaths in every million. Ten years later the figure had almost doubled to 388 in every million.
The report, which looked at evidence from 21 investigations in six countries, found cigarette smoking to be the predominant cause for this rise.
Mr Vaughan-Morgan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health said: "The government feels that it is right to ensure that this latest authoritative opinion is brought effectively to public notice, so that everyone may know the risks involved."
But he made it clear that people, armed with the facts, would be able to make up their own minds and smoking would not be banned.
The prohibition of smoking in theatres, cinemas and public transport is not on the agenda, he added.
It is estimated that between £600m and £620m in revenue is generated by the sale of cigarettes.
The Conservatives have questioned what alternative taxes the government would introduce to cover that figure should cigarette smoking now be eliminated.
Members of the general public, asked by the BBC for their reaction to the findings, appeared unphased.
One smoker said that, although he was not considering giving up smoking himself, he thought the younger generation would be well advised not to start.
Another man said he was "not frightened at all" by the findings and may even consider increasing the number of cigarettes he smokes each day.
These views were reflected on the stock market where shares in leading tobacco companies remained largely unaffected by the news.
The link between smoking and lung cancer is one of 'direct cause and effect', a special report by the Medical Research Council has found.
The report, published today, studied the dramatic increase in deaths from lung cancer over the past 25 years and concluded the main cause was smoking.
But tobacco firms have rejected the findings saying they are merely a 'matter of opinion'.
The government has indicated that an educational campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of smoking will be launched via local health authorities.
Shares unaffected
The report states that in 1945 the mortality rate from lung cancer was 188 deaths in every million. Ten years later the figure had almost doubled to 388 in every million.
The report, which looked at evidence from 21 investigations in six countries, found cigarette smoking to be the predominant cause for this rise.
Mr Vaughan-Morgan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health said: "The government feels that it is right to ensure that this latest authoritative opinion is brought effectively to public notice, so that everyone may know the risks involved."
But he made it clear that people, armed with the facts, would be able to make up their own minds and smoking would not be banned.
The prohibition of smoking in theatres, cinemas and public transport is not on the agenda, he added.
It is estimated that between £600m and £620m in revenue is generated by the sale of cigarettes.
The Conservatives have questioned what alternative taxes the government would introduce to cover that figure should cigarette smoking now be eliminated.
Members of the general public, asked by the BBC for their reaction to the findings, appeared unphased.
One smoker said that, although he was not considering giving up smoking himself, he thought the younger generation would be well advised not to start.
Another man said he was "not frightened at all" by the findings and may even consider increasing the number of cigarettes he smokes each day.
These views were reflected on the stock market where shares in leading tobacco companies remained largely unaffected by the news.
Monday, June 26, 2006
And Im sure the view from heaven beats the hell out of mine here...
Hospital staff in Lancashire have been told to leave corpses in wards because there are not enough porters to move them at night.
Only in Lancashire, ok staffing problems are unavoidable but shouldnt they work on a priority basis. Imagine the trouble this is going to cause for the drs, for the patients and for the bereaved families.
Well mr councillor I quite agree! but what are you going to do about it? Nothing as per usual I suppose...
People should make a stand if they find something so abhorrant!
Only in Lancashire, ok staffing problems are unavoidable but shouldnt they work on a priority basis. Imagine the trouble this is going to cause for the drs, for the patients and for the bereaved families.
It's absolutely disgraceful if that's being allowed to happen.
"The trauma and the heartache that's going to be caused to families in this day and age is just not acceptable."
Well mr councillor I quite agree! but what are you going to do about it? Nothing as per usual I suppose...
People should make a stand if they find something so abhorrant!
I have a new addiction...
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Hop on my choochoo I'll be your engine driver in a bunny suit...
What is going on in the life of Cat at the mo I hear you ask. Well at this very moment I am avoiding football, I would see what the score is but the remote is over there **points** and getting it would involve getting up. Involunatry movement is not good. Neither are spelling mistakes but I think they can be forgiven for now. The life of Cat is pretty boring to tell you the truth, there isnt much to do around here! If you dont include the steam trains which I can hear from my bedroom window...Ive lost count of the amount of people who have said the "we must go out for a drink" now whether these drinks will materialize is another matter, would be interesting to see my younger friends stressing bout going to university hehe, does that make me a bad person?
Im going to dig a hole in my garden for my phone and bury it. It seems to have become part of my hand of late which is never a good thing.
I go to Prague 2 weeks on Monday
http://www.brodyaga.ru/images/Czech/Prague%206.jpg
From that picture the whole place looks very gothic, I have no idea how long we are there. I havent got much of a clue at all about this holiday to be fair! I should probably find out but that would involve holding new information in my brain which it seems to not want to do these days.
This was intended to be an email but it just kept getting longer and longer so I decided to make it a blog which deserves to be long! I am officially hungry so I might go pester my mother for some form os sustinance.
Im going to dig a hole in my garden for my phone and bury it. It seems to have become part of my hand of late which is never a good thing.
I go to Prague 2 weeks on Monday
http://www.brodyaga.ru/images/Czech/Prague%206.jpg
From that picture the whole place looks very gothic, I have no idea how long we are there. I havent got much of a clue at all about this holiday to be fair! I should probably find out but that would involve holding new information in my brain which it seems to not want to do these days.
This was intended to be an email but it just kept getting longer and longer so I decided to make it a blog which deserves to be long! I am officially hungry so I might go pester my mother for some form os sustinance.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
This week...
Friday, June 23, 2006
Why you shouldnt use marmite in bed...
Guten tag mein kinder...I think that means good evening my children but could just as easily mean "my toothbrush has been struck by lightning" for all I know. Today I went shopping as a girl can never have enough underwear or Cds can she. Im also eating a thorntons chocolate oink. Sounds bizarre I know, but raspberry flavoured chocolate is delicious. Doesnt taste like chocolate, doesnt taste like raspberries...
Today I am knackered. I didnt get to sleep until it was getting light, not because I was doing anything particulary interesting (unfortunately) just because I couldnt sleep! and the more you think about it the more you cant sleep. It reminds me of a quote from friends
"I kept thinking to myself if I go to sleep now I will get 4 hours sleep, If I go to sleep now I will get 3 hours sleep..."
"You know what you shoulda done? told yourself that story!"
You shouldnt use marmite in bed because its sticky and smells weird, you shouldnt say "Anti freeze" either because it just confuses people...
xxx
Today I am knackered. I didnt get to sleep until it was getting light, not because I was doing anything particulary interesting (unfortunately) just because I couldnt sleep! and the more you think about it the more you cant sleep. It reminds me of a quote from friends
"I kept thinking to myself if I go to sleep now I will get 4 hours sleep, If I go to sleep now I will get 3 hours sleep..."
"You know what you shoulda done? told yourself that story!"
SWINGS AND ROUNDABOUTS: This is a shortened version of the fairground proverb 'What you lose on the swings you win on the roundabouts', current from the beginning of the twentieth century in various forms. It is used to mean that things will balance out in the end. Penguin Dictionary of Cliches.
You shouldnt use marmite in bed because its sticky and smells weird, you shouldnt say "Anti freeze" either because it just confuses people...
xxx
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Holiday...Celebrate...
It's sunday, there is never anything to do on a Sunday...except maybe sleep? Irrelevant but true-I appear to have bashed my arm and it hurts :( Im not sure how or when I did it though, I cant even blame it on unidentified drinking injuries because I havent drank in weeks. bah!
Being home has officially lost its appeal. Am looking forward to my holiday though, well Im looking forward to being on holiday, my mother will drive me mad beforehand though. She worries over nothing! Last year we went to Italy and she put the cats into the cattery for an extra day incase our ferry sunk. Now Im not sure how the extra day would have helped if we had infact drowned in the English channel. But getting away from it all will be good for a change. Phone is too expensive, net will be few and far between especially considering I dont speak the language, Im going to be out of contact for a whole week, now thats definately getting away from it all.
Being home has officially lost its appeal. Am looking forward to my holiday though, well Im looking forward to being on holiday, my mother will drive me mad beforehand though. She worries over nothing! Last year we went to Italy and she put the cats into the cattery for an extra day incase our ferry sunk. Now Im not sure how the extra day would have helped if we had infact drowned in the English channel. But getting away from it all will be good for a change. Phone is too expensive, net will be few and far between especially considering I dont speak the language, Im going to be out of contact for a whole week, now thats definately getting away from it all.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Can You Hear A Buzzing?
Im watching a documentary about refugees, Im confused because at the moment there are some refugees from Africa. They are speaking english yet there are subtitles! Hmmm
Someone is cutting grass outside very loudly...
Why, when you get older are you more inclined to want to watch kids tv?
Someone is cutting grass outside very loudly...
Why, when you get older are you more inclined to want to watch kids tv?
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Where Ive Been!
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Didnt we have a lovely time...
Thursday, June 08, 2006
A News Shapes Rant
Whilst browsing the news this morning (as I normally do while eating my breakfast lol) I saw a story that utterly disgusted me.
"Let doctors kill without consent, says ethics expert"
DOCTORS should be allowed to help to kill terminally ill patients with or without their consent, a leading professor of medical ethics said yesterday"
Now, as odd a sentence as it may be, I have nothing against Euthanasia. Sometimes its for the best, when a patient is dying and its a matter of days then helping them die is a kindness. It's a kindness to both patient and the patients family, it prevents unnecessary pain and suffering on both sides. However this decision should be the families choice and their choice alone. Doctors are there to help people, not decide to kill people. It should be an option for the family...as DNR is or the choice to be treated. The doctors are there to provide a service.
Moving on from my little rant...
Ok maybe just one more rant...
Forced marriage law 'not needed'
Ministers had asked groups and individuals if there should be a law criminalising the act of forcing someone into marriage
Now this I agree with. I know that it is within some peoples religion to marry who they are told but shouldn't they have some say in the matter? If and when I ever get married it will be to someone I choose and someone I love. Would it be going too far to say that in todays society there is no real place for this kind of custom...perhaps...but it should be voluntary not forced. If they want to marry a complete stranger then so be it!
Ok but maybe this guy is going a bit far...
"Home Office minister Baroness Scotland said: "Forced marriage is an abuse of human rights and a form of domestic violence which cannot be justified on religious or cultural grounds. "
A form of domestic violence...?
And finally... Just because this story is cute...
"Zookeepers in India have set up the country's first "care home" for ageing and infirm lions. "
The $45,000 facility at Chhatbir Zoo in Punjab state provides more space for geriatric big cats - and sanctuary from attack from younger lions.
A diet of minced meat and vitamins also helps compensate for worn-out teeth.
Can I be the first to say...Awww! Im a softie when it comes to animals, especially when it resembles a Cat. The care home will give the lions dignity in their old age, they deserve nothing less :)
"Let doctors kill without consent, says ethics expert"
DOCTORS should be allowed to help to kill terminally ill patients with or without their consent, a leading professor of medical ethics said yesterday"
Now, as odd a sentence as it may be, I have nothing against Euthanasia. Sometimes its for the best, when a patient is dying and its a matter of days then helping them die is a kindness. It's a kindness to both patient and the patients family, it prevents unnecessary pain and suffering on both sides. However this decision should be the families choice and their choice alone. Doctors are there to help people, not decide to kill people. It should be an option for the family...as DNR is or the choice to be treated. The doctors are there to provide a service.
Moving on from my little rant...
Ok maybe just one more rant...
Forced marriage law 'not needed'
Ministers had asked groups and individuals if there should be a law criminalising the act of forcing someone into marriage
Now this I agree with. I know that it is within some peoples religion to marry who they are told but shouldn't they have some say in the matter? If and when I ever get married it will be to someone I choose and someone I love. Would it be going too far to say that in todays society there is no real place for this kind of custom...perhaps...but it should be voluntary not forced. If they want to marry a complete stranger then so be it!
Ok but maybe this guy is going a bit far...
"Home Office minister Baroness Scotland said: "Forced marriage is an abuse of human rights and a form of domestic violence which cannot be justified on religious or cultural grounds. "
A form of domestic violence...?
And finally... Just because this story is cute...
"Zookeepers in India have set up the country's first "care home" for ageing and infirm lions. "
The $45,000 facility at Chhatbir Zoo in Punjab state provides more space for geriatric big cats - and sanctuary from attack from younger lions.
A diet of minced meat and vitamins also helps compensate for worn-out teeth.
Can I be the first to say...Awww! Im a softie when it comes to animals, especially when it resembles a Cat. The care home will give the lions dignity in their old age, they deserve nothing less :)
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Quick Rant...
In halls our tenancy agreement runs out on 10th June...which to the best of my knowledge is Saturday. Now today is Tuesday yes? Tuesday the 6th... so far this week;
Monday-Cleaner invading my room AT 830!!!! "Oh hello...umm...when are you going home?" Now baring in mind this is summer and warm and I was asleep...she should just be thankful I had been cold during the night and pulled my duvet up!
Tuesday-Whilst making my breakfast the coridoor was invaded by 2 boys. I opened the kitchen door and looked at them, they looked at me like I had fallen out of a tree!! They only volunteered why they were there once I had asked. Apparently they are checking pillows and duvets...They are what?? They also came into my room! My pillows and duvet are fine thank you very much.
Now I have paid until the 10th of June so can people please leave me in peace to enjoy my last week in Bangor?
Speaking of which Im going to the beach this afternoon with my friends for a beach barbeque YAY!!
Monday-Cleaner invading my room AT 830!!!! "Oh hello...umm...when are you going home?" Now baring in mind this is summer and warm and I was asleep...she should just be thankful I had been cold during the night and pulled my duvet up!
Tuesday-Whilst making my breakfast the coridoor was invaded by 2 boys. I opened the kitchen door and looked at them, they looked at me like I had fallen out of a tree!! They only volunteered why they were there once I had asked. Apparently they are checking pillows and duvets...They are what?? They also came into my room! My pillows and duvet are fine thank you very much.
Now I have paid until the 10th of June so can people please leave me in peace to enjoy my last week in Bangor?
Speaking of which Im going to the beach this afternoon with my friends for a beach barbeque YAY!!
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Balls
Friday, June 02, 2006
She needs to hear shes beautiful...beautiful...
It is the night before the ball, pretty inconsequential you may think...inconsequential TO MALES. Girls have to spend the evening before prepping. Hair needs to be washed, immediately blow dried to illiminate moisture then straightened. This is all so it has the ability to be curled tomorrow (straightened to be curled!) Nails have to be painted, this is not just a case of finding a bottle of nail polish and opening it...no! You have to find one that will co ordinate with your dress and your make up. Ah to be a boy! Boys just shower n get dressed...it is taking us precisely 3 and a half hours to get ready tomorrow! and for a tom boy that is quite impressive even if I do say so myself.