Just received a letter from my doctor’s surgery saying my second set of results are back and no cause for concern, but to make an appointment within the next two weeks. Last time I had a “no cause for concern” letter was when I found out I had leukaemia! Anyway, wait now for Friday 10:50am to see what is going on with my liver, my blood Potassium, or anything else they’ve found. Nothing surprises me now – nothing will.
Afghanistan and Iraq continue to prove a thorn in the side of the USA and UK administrations, and will, in my opinion, continue do so for years to come. Both governments are pouring more troops in, with little affect. The more foreign troops move in, the stronger the resolve of the insurgents, (or whatever else you want to call them), will be. Both Bush, Blair and their followers offer sweet words of condolence to the relatives of dead soldiers, but their hollow rhetoric means nothing to families who fail to see the point of their loved ones being there in the first place. They call it a war on terrorism, but it’s a war that will never be won. The fanaticism of the enemy is such that every attack, every new solider drafted in, will only serve to inflame the situation.
The Afghani poppy crops that produce heroin for Europe addicts are providing a bumper crop this year – the way civilians are dying in Iraq suggests the troops will outnumber them soon. I think the ordinary people both in the US and UK are very much against both wars – so how come we are not seeing the protests that occurred during the Vietnam war? Why aren’t we seeing thousands of people marching? Are we indifferent? Have our lives become so geared towards our own pursuit of the good life that the deaths on both sides have become just one more statistic to be brushed aside as we search to see how the shares are doing or talk about our next luxury holiday?
The body count rises every day for both military and non-military personnel. Seems the more troops are poured in the quicker the count rises on all fronts. I guess the statistics have become just one more piece of news to most people. The financial costs? Who really knows. Statistics suggest around $510 billion for the U.S and $16 billion for the U.K. Not sure which billions these are ,(109 or 1012), but either way it’s a frightening waste of money. The military personnel are not dying in defence of the U.S.A. or U.K. – they’re not dying to protect us from terrorism – these “insurgents” have no interest in attacking us. This so-called war in Iraq and Afghanistan has lost its way and nobody is prepared to admit it. None so blind as those that wil not see; none so deaf as those will not hear.
The US Senate has voted to withdraw all troops by 2008; but Bush will veto this. How can one man, in what is supposed to be a democratic country, overrule the will of the majority? Sorry, but that is far beyond my understanding. The word democracy comes from two Greek words meaning rule by the people – seems a bit of a joke in a system where just one man rules. It can only be compared to the situation in the Roman Catholic church where one man controls the life of millions with his decisions. Maybe Bush, too, has a direct link to his God. If so, it’s a strange, warped, twisted God that guides him.
Nice to see the Iranian authorities have their priorities right. Barbers have now been warned not to give men Western-style haircuts or pluck their eyebrows, and women are being arrested for not dressing correctly. It’s also a terrible sin to wear a tie with your shirt. Women are also now obliged to wear socks too. The extremist mullahs who have a lot of power are also concerned about Ahmadinejad allowing women to attend stadiums for sports events – they’re concerned about them seeing men’s legs and, I quote, “gathering of men and women for corruption-driven actions and the committing of acts forbidden by Islam”. Nice to know the USA and UK are not the only countries with crazies in charge. Sort of comforting in a way.
Finally you’ll be pleased to know that North Korea is the least visited country in the world – 1,800 tourists last year according to statistics. And the fourth best-selling book of the 20th century is not a Harry Potter title – it’s Scouting for Boys by Lord Baden-Powell. First 3 home are the Bible, the Koran, (or Q’uran), and Mao’s Little Red Book.
See ya
Monday 30 April 2007
Saturday 28 April 2007
OF TOILET TISSUE , ST. GEORGE, BAKED BEANS AND THE BUSH JUGGERNAUT
So Hugh Grant has allegedly attacked a photographer with a plastic container of baked beans. BAKED BEANS!! Surely someone of Hugh’s background would have had a container of petit pois or haricot vert? After all – he did go to Cambridge. Could never have happened in the old days. I mean – baked beans for goodness sake! Is this a sign of our classless society? OK, baked beans are fine; but you don’t talk about having baked beans in the house, let alone show them in public, do you? What self-respecting host of any standing in society would admit to having baked beans in the house, (as if that wasn’t bad enough), AND storing the leftovers IN A PLASTIC BOX? And then display them in public? This does bring into question his background and upbringing – very bad form for someone who’s great-great-grandfather was an assistant to David Livingstone the explorer. Bet he didn’t go around waving baked beans at natives on his expeditions.
So my dear friend Bush and his cabal want to plant missile installations in the Czech republic and Poland. Seeing as both countries are part of the European Union, can they do that without permission of the E.U.? I hope not, and I hope and pray the E.U. says no, although it seems unlikely. No doubt NATO won’t do much either. The American government, (NOT the people), is a juggernaut in the sense as instilled by Christian missionaries during the British Raj. The real juggernaut is an annual procession of chariots carrying images of the god Krishna. The missionaries spread the rumour that followers would throw themselves under the wheels in order to achieve salvation. Now many world governments and leaders like to throw themselves, (figuratively speaking), beneath the wheels of Bush’s juggernaut in the hope of eternal salvation and a chance to bask in the glorious warmth of his beneficence. If you’re a follower or devotee of him and his gang, and choose to walk behind rather than get crushed – make damned sure you wear sunglasses.
Thank someone’s God for Sheryl Crowe the singer. She has come up with a way to help the environment! Our world would be in serious trouble if it was not for the likes of her. So, what’s the idea? Only one sheet of toilet paper per visit to the loo – exceptional circumstances you may use 2. It was a joke; but think about it – the average American uses around 100 roll per year. 100 rolls? What the hell are you doing with it? A serious bowel problem maybe? Used for other purposes such as blowing your nose, cleaning your glasses? The British aren’t much better – they spend an average of £11 billion, (₤22 billion), a year on such creature comforts. Fascinating history too - before the British Perforated Paper Company brought out its first soft bog roll in about 1850, many methods were used. Moslems were advised to use 3 stones, (DON’T ask me why 3 or what type of stone), corn cobs were used until the early 20th century. Chinese emperors in the 14th century used a sheet of toilet paper 2x3 feet, (that’s one hell of a big piece! Should have lasted for days). The US troops even used toilet paper to disguise their tanks during the Gulf War. Again, don’t ask how or why! Last devastatingly interesting fact – the Pentagon uses on average 666 rolls a day. Now that figure is significant – 666 is the mark of the devil.
Last Monday was St. George’s Day, the patron saint of England. St. George slaying the dragon also happens to feature on the seal of Moscow. In fact, it features in the folklore of many countries. True, the Chinese seem to have made this mythical creature their own – a friendly guy, unlike the fearful animal elsewhere. Still, how come it does feature so largely in folklore? No, I don’t have the answer – maybe one of my learned readers does.
See ya.
So my dear friend Bush and his cabal want to plant missile installations in the Czech republic and Poland. Seeing as both countries are part of the European Union, can they do that without permission of the E.U.? I hope not, and I hope and pray the E.U. says no, although it seems unlikely. No doubt NATO won’t do much either. The American government, (NOT the people), is a juggernaut in the sense as instilled by Christian missionaries during the British Raj. The real juggernaut is an annual procession of chariots carrying images of the god Krishna. The missionaries spread the rumour that followers would throw themselves under the wheels in order to achieve salvation. Now many world governments and leaders like to throw themselves, (figuratively speaking), beneath the wheels of Bush’s juggernaut in the hope of eternal salvation and a chance to bask in the glorious warmth of his beneficence. If you’re a follower or devotee of him and his gang, and choose to walk behind rather than get crushed – make damned sure you wear sunglasses.
Thank someone’s God for Sheryl Crowe the singer. She has come up with a way to help the environment! Our world would be in serious trouble if it was not for the likes of her. So, what’s the idea? Only one sheet of toilet paper per visit to the loo – exceptional circumstances you may use 2. It was a joke; but think about it – the average American uses around 100 roll per year. 100 rolls? What the hell are you doing with it? A serious bowel problem maybe? Used for other purposes such as blowing your nose, cleaning your glasses? The British aren’t much better – they spend an average of £11 billion, (₤22 billion), a year on such creature comforts. Fascinating history too - before the British Perforated Paper Company brought out its first soft bog roll in about 1850, many methods were used. Moslems were advised to use 3 stones, (DON’T ask me why 3 or what type of stone), corn cobs were used until the early 20th century. Chinese emperors in the 14th century used a sheet of toilet paper 2x3 feet, (that’s one hell of a big piece! Should have lasted for days). The US troops even used toilet paper to disguise their tanks during the Gulf War. Again, don’t ask how or why! Last devastatingly interesting fact – the Pentagon uses on average 666 rolls a day. Now that figure is significant – 666 is the mark of the devil.
Last Monday was St. George’s Day, the patron saint of England. St. George slaying the dragon also happens to feature on the seal of Moscow. In fact, it features in the folklore of many countries. True, the Chinese seem to have made this mythical creature their own – a friendly guy, unlike the fearful animal elsewhere. Still, how come it does feature so largely in folklore? No, I don’t have the answer – maybe one of my learned readers does.
See ya.
Friday 27 April 2007
REMEMBER THE PANCHEN LAMA
Give a thought to the world’s youngest political prisoner - Gedhun Choekyi Niyama. Remember him? He was 18 years old Wednesday and has not been heard of since 1995 when he and his family vanished after the boy had been declared the reincarnated Panchen Lama, second only to the Dalai Lama himself. Remember him when you hear Bush and others like him – people to whom civil liberties come second to economic interests – praise the growth of China. Remember him when you hear Bush and his kind talk of democracies and human rights. The “virtuous” Chinese government put a communist puppet in the boy’s place. Nobody has heard of, or seen, the boy since. Your doubts or beliefs about Buddhism matter little when compared to yet another example of how the thin veneer of progress in China covers a seething dictatorial regime determined to crush any opposition. Empty rhetoric from Bush and his ilk when they are wedded to the principle of democracy in Iraq and have the government of China in bed with them. Adultery at its worst.
I see Snoop Dogg has been refused entry to Australia. He can frame that on his wall along with his refused entry to the UK. We have enough troublemakers without importing them, thanks! All yours America – you keep him home where he belongs – leave him playing in his own backyard.
For those new readers amongst you who long to know what I am about – go check on my old blog http://www.leukaemia.blogsavy.com/ . I understand you’re eager to join my massive following – become a member of my fan club! Yeah yeah!
Had the blood tests this morning – the phlebotomist at my doctor’s surgery doesn’t seem surprised when she opens here door and sees me yet again. Wonder why? Wonder too what she’d think if I went to her instead of the hospital for the other regular tests. Guess people would start talking about us. More waiting for results – more wondering what this bump on the road is about.
I watched the video of my friend, (sic), Bush dancing and playing the drums – he’s much much better at playing the fool. At lease Tony Blair fared better when he took part in a sketch with Catherine Tate for Red Nose day, (a day-long event from the BBC to raise money for charity). At least Tony was intentionally funny – far less embarrassing that Bush being amusing when he doesn’t mean to. Politicians really should stick to what they are good at – hoodwinking the public.
A lot in the British news now about Prince Harry serving in Iraq. He’s a member of the armed forces and should, BUT will his presence place his men at greater risk? That is the question. One more death, British or American, is one death too many. Those of you who followed my previous blog know my feelings on the situation. We should have got out once Saddam Hussein was ousted. Are the civilian deaths now any more morally justifiable than those when that bastard was ruling Iraq? I hope Bush has a good answer when he gets where ever he’s going, as heavenly or as hot as that place may be. Blair? I do believe he genuinely thought there were weapons of mass destruction. No excuse, though, for continuing this debacle.
The citizens of Plymouth UK have been named as the worst dressed in a survey conducted by a certain Miss Butterfly web site. Having visited the site I don’t think Plymouth has anything to worry about – judging by the home page, their butterflies seem to have suffered a certain amount of wind damage.
I don’t think Richard Gere will be visiting India in the near future, in spite of his recent trips there. Seems there’s an arrest warrant out for him after snogging Shilpa Shetty, a glamorous, if somewhat daft, film star. Daft? Yeah daft – only daft, mentally disturbed and/or self-centred, egotistical idiots appear on Big Brother. And what does Shilpa say? Her spokesman says she’s away visiting temples. Images of Gere have been burned in the streets of Mumbai. Get a life Mumbai people – plenty of more important things to worry about - seems they’re daft enough to appear on Big Brother too.
Another encounter with the Ghengis Khan’s of the pushchair brigade – those demented mothers with the crazed look in their eyes and blood-lust in their hearts. Got on a bus yesterday only to find three war chariots taking up 3 seats – all handles in the aisle so as to trap unsuspecting passengers. One of them had so much shopping suspended from the handles that the death wagon tipped backward when the bus went round a corner, leaving the tiny occupant staring roof wards. The owner, a teenage mother, seemed to exude hatred to all those around her – I guess a certain number of smiles didn’t help. The child did survive the ordeal, encouraged by the warlady, (female of warlord), as she dropped her “h’s” in a stream of invective. And, yes, she was wearing hipster jeans over her more than ample rear, together with a short t-shirt and far too much cleavage showing – and I’m not talking about the upper half either.
See ya
I see Snoop Dogg has been refused entry to Australia. He can frame that on his wall along with his refused entry to the UK. We have enough troublemakers without importing them, thanks! All yours America – you keep him home where he belongs – leave him playing in his own backyard.
For those new readers amongst you who long to know what I am about – go check on my old blog http://www.leukaemia.blogsavy.com/ . I understand you’re eager to join my massive following – become a member of my fan club! Yeah yeah!
Had the blood tests this morning – the phlebotomist at my doctor’s surgery doesn’t seem surprised when she opens here door and sees me yet again. Wonder why? Wonder too what she’d think if I went to her instead of the hospital for the other regular tests. Guess people would start talking about us. More waiting for results – more wondering what this bump on the road is about.
I watched the video of my friend, (sic), Bush dancing and playing the drums – he’s much much better at playing the fool. At lease Tony Blair fared better when he took part in a sketch with Catherine Tate for Red Nose day, (a day-long event from the BBC to raise money for charity). At least Tony was intentionally funny – far less embarrassing that Bush being amusing when he doesn’t mean to. Politicians really should stick to what they are good at – hoodwinking the public.
A lot in the British news now about Prince Harry serving in Iraq. He’s a member of the armed forces and should, BUT will his presence place his men at greater risk? That is the question. One more death, British or American, is one death too many. Those of you who followed my previous blog know my feelings on the situation. We should have got out once Saddam Hussein was ousted. Are the civilian deaths now any more morally justifiable than those when that bastard was ruling Iraq? I hope Bush has a good answer when he gets where ever he’s going, as heavenly or as hot as that place may be. Blair? I do believe he genuinely thought there were weapons of mass destruction. No excuse, though, for continuing this debacle.
The citizens of Plymouth UK have been named as the worst dressed in a survey conducted by a certain Miss Butterfly web site. Having visited the site I don’t think Plymouth has anything to worry about – judging by the home page, their butterflies seem to have suffered a certain amount of wind damage.
I don’t think Richard Gere will be visiting India in the near future, in spite of his recent trips there. Seems there’s an arrest warrant out for him after snogging Shilpa Shetty, a glamorous, if somewhat daft, film star. Daft? Yeah daft – only daft, mentally disturbed and/or self-centred, egotistical idiots appear on Big Brother. And what does Shilpa say? Her spokesman says she’s away visiting temples. Images of Gere have been burned in the streets of Mumbai. Get a life Mumbai people – plenty of more important things to worry about - seems they’re daft enough to appear on Big Brother too.
Another encounter with the Ghengis Khan’s of the pushchair brigade – those demented mothers with the crazed look in their eyes and blood-lust in their hearts. Got on a bus yesterday only to find three war chariots taking up 3 seats – all handles in the aisle so as to trap unsuspecting passengers. One of them had so much shopping suspended from the handles that the death wagon tipped backward when the bus went round a corner, leaving the tiny occupant staring roof wards. The owner, a teenage mother, seemed to exude hatred to all those around her – I guess a certain number of smiles didn’t help. The child did survive the ordeal, encouraged by the warlady, (female of warlord), as she dropped her “h’s” in a stream of invective. And, yes, she was wearing hipster jeans over her more than ample rear, together with a short t-shirt and far too much cleavage showing – and I’m not talking about the upper half either.
See ya
Thursday 26 April 2007
LIFE'S A BITCH AND THEN YOU DIE - NOT JUST YET THOUGH THANKS
Well the postman delivered a letter this morning. No big deal, except it was from the doctor’s surgery. Would I arrange for more blood tests as my Potassium and ALT were raised. Well! Don’t that make a change from other problems? Bring them all on! You know – total organ failure! Why not?
Anyway, went to arrange the blood tests and the receptionist arranged for me to ask one of the doctors about my results. Dr. Willott, that’s his name, said the Potassium was not that high above normal, but the ALT was twice the upper limit of normal. Potassium can be high for a number of reasons, including kidney problems and haemolysis of your red cells. That can happen in leukaemia – just praying it’s not that. ALT is a liver enzyme, and can be connected to liver problems including cirrhosis, (don’t drink and never have), and other things I do not intend to contemplate. My white count was up too – not that much, but a bit high to be in normal range of variation – 21,900. Could be from the drugs I take for arthritis. Could be someone’s God punishing me for sins past or even the sins of my father - what a lovely God these people have – so loving and caring.
More waiting – blood tests Thursday – results early next week. And please don’t tell me they’ll all be fine because nobody knows, least of all me, even if they are my chemicals and rampaging white cells. I’m hoping it’s all a small bump on the road of life, but not getting too excited. Too many bloody bumps on my stretch of road. And anyone tells me it’s all part of getting old! Well, I shall probably find your address, creep round after dark and put a bat up your nightie, or pyjama bottoms, or whatever else you wear to sleep undisturbed at night. You don’t wear anything? OK – I’ll put it under the sheets while you’re asleep.
Talking about sins and Gods – where do these people get their ideas from? How can they accept blindly the contradiction between a God of love and the vengeful old bugger they speak of with the next breath? And who, apart from a mentally deranged father, would have kids just for the joy of punishing them?
OK, the original 10 commandments aren’t too bad, although I doubt there’ll be anyone in heaven from today’s society – least of all many of the priests, vicars, imams and rabbis; but take a look at the 21st century list! In fact, all of us will be in hell based on the beliefs of different groups. All non-Moslems according to Moslems – Moslems according to non-Moslems – non-Jews according to Jews – non-Christians according to Christians. And are there different hells for each religion? Who wants to go to a Moslem heaven anyway if it’s filled with suicide bombers basking in the love of their God?
It’s all very confusing, and I’m confused enough right now with my own problems.
See ya
Anyway, went to arrange the blood tests and the receptionist arranged for me to ask one of the doctors about my results. Dr. Willott, that’s his name, said the Potassium was not that high above normal, but the ALT was twice the upper limit of normal. Potassium can be high for a number of reasons, including kidney problems and haemolysis of your red cells. That can happen in leukaemia – just praying it’s not that. ALT is a liver enzyme, and can be connected to liver problems including cirrhosis, (don’t drink and never have), and other things I do not intend to contemplate. My white count was up too – not that much, but a bit high to be in normal range of variation – 21,900. Could be from the drugs I take for arthritis. Could be someone’s God punishing me for sins past or even the sins of my father - what a lovely God these people have – so loving and caring.
More waiting – blood tests Thursday – results early next week. And please don’t tell me they’ll all be fine because nobody knows, least of all me, even if they are my chemicals and rampaging white cells. I’m hoping it’s all a small bump on the road of life, but not getting too excited. Too many bloody bumps on my stretch of road. And anyone tells me it’s all part of getting old! Well, I shall probably find your address, creep round after dark and put a bat up your nightie, or pyjama bottoms, or whatever else you wear to sleep undisturbed at night. You don’t wear anything? OK – I’ll put it under the sheets while you’re asleep.
Talking about sins and Gods – where do these people get their ideas from? How can they accept blindly the contradiction between a God of love and the vengeful old bugger they speak of with the next breath? And who, apart from a mentally deranged father, would have kids just for the joy of punishing them?
OK, the original 10 commandments aren’t too bad, although I doubt there’ll be anyone in heaven from today’s society – least of all many of the priests, vicars, imams and rabbis; but take a look at the 21st century list! In fact, all of us will be in hell based on the beliefs of different groups. All non-Moslems according to Moslems – Moslems according to non-Moslems – non-Jews according to Jews – non-Christians according to Christians. And are there different hells for each religion? Who wants to go to a Moslem heaven anyway if it’s filled with suicide bombers basking in the love of their God?
It’s all very confusing, and I’m confused enough right now with my own problems.
See ya
LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU
I've transferred here from another site that has made it impossible for days now to post. I'm a sort of walking medical problem, and although the name of the blog is leukaemia, you'll find that my outlook on life goes far beond the borders of my rampaging white cells. I have Chronic Lymphoctyic Leukaemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis for 20 years, and an inherited clotting problem, (Protein C deficiency), that has been causing minor strokes since my mid-20's, (symptoms kindly diagnosed by one ass of a medical colleague in Saudi Arabia as being a psychological problem), and which was finally diagnosed in 2003. You'll find out more about me as time goes by, but for now just wanted to say hi, and, no, I'm not giving my life history. Sometimes offensive, sometimes comical - hope you enjoy.
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