Re-Jading

And just after my faith had been a little bit restored, I hear that a collegue at work was pushed against her car and had her bag stolen by 3 youths.

Was this at night in some dark alley where she was stupidly walking while being draped in bling? No. It was at 11:30 last Sunday morning in Summertown.. a supposedly 'posh' bit of Oxford.

There really is no hope *sigh*.

Friday

On Friday I was on the way to work when just as I got to the other side of a bit of dual carriageway my car started to sound very noisy. Switching down the volume on the radio I started to panic as there seemed to be a roaring sound coming from the engine! I started to slow down then suddenly lost partial control of the car. Thankfully I managed to slow and stop reasonably controlled as a spurt of smoke appeared from the passenger side. Rather unnerved at that point I thought my engine had blown and got onto the RAC quick smart. I couldnt get out of the car as it was a single lane and peak time. In typical fashion the RAC bloke said "its going to be an hour and a half love." Wonderful.

Then an angel appeared... A chap pulled up at a small pull-in a little way up and sauntered back to my car "Anything I can do to help?" It turns out it wasnt my engine, the roaring sound was the tyre on the passenger front disintegrating, and the smoke had been the heat. The chap guided my car off the road and helped me change my tyre.. Well when I said helped, all I managed to do was get covered in muck and try to look like I had a clue what he was doing. Soon the spare was on and I was ready to go.

As I drove home, still slightly shaken (the only thing I could concentrate on was getting to the garage within walking distance of my house) I just couldnt stop smiling. My faith in humanity somewhat restored that perhaps... Just maybe, there are some decent human beings who will stop to help someone in trouble. Even the bill for the sports tyre couldnt dampen my day.

Thank you to that kind bloke who not only got me back on the road but restored this jaded individuals opinion of people.

Billie

Quote from bbc.co.uk : "Billie Piper is leave Doctor Who in the nail-biting series two finale. Over the past two years, Billie has taken the character of Rose Tyler on an adventure of a lifetime, travelling across the galaxy with the Doctor."

It seems she has a load of stuff lined up.. Apparently a newspaper said she was the new Marilyn Monroe. Personally I think she looks like a horse, but good luck to the Swindon Chavette.

In my opinion, No one has been better than 'Ace' as the Dr Who companion but then thats just me.

Ka Pow!

Loved this, and was greatly amused by the comments (from Americans) on the site I copied it from.

Batwoman Comes Out!

An exclusive first look at Gotham City’s wealthiest lesbian socialite—who is also its newest crimefighter.

by Michael C. Sherrin

Gotham City’s sexiest socialite knows more than how to throw a party. Kathy Kane also knows a bit about throwing punches—and she introduces herself to comic book readers by striking her ex-girlfriend right across the jaw.

In various incarnations, Batwomen have had a long history in Batman comics, starting in 1956 when Kathy Kane first appeared. But this new version of Kane shares only a name with her predecessors. The campy heroine who once carried a utility purse while clad in a full-body yellow one-piece now sports a new, dark costume, and she’s got an attitude to match. Batwoman will be the highest profile gay superhero to ever grace the pages of DC Comics.

Batwoman reemerges from obscurity in the pages of 52, the real-time weekly limited series chronicling a year in which the big three—Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman—have all mysteriously vanished from Gotham City. In Batman’s absence, a major crime organization called Intergang moves into town only to find a new Bat already roosting.

After weeks of teasing and taunting appearances, Kane will have her first full appearance as the costumed Batwoman in the upcoming 52 issue #11. She won’t be fighting crime alone: Kane and her ex, Renee Montoya, a former policewoman, will regularly cross paths fighting Intergang. This doesn’t stop Kane from pushing Montoya’s buttons, even showing off her new doctor girlfriend in an upcoming issue.

“[Kathy Kane is] a very successful woman, very self-assured,” says Dan DiDio, the senior vice president and executive editor of DC Comics. “What we wanted to do was build from that core and create a new character that was much more attuned with today’s society. The fact that Batwoman is gay is not a key factor—it’s [just] who she is.” DC introduces Batwoman amid an assortment of new characters aimed at diversifying the once homogenous DC universe, including several updated Hispanic, African-American, and Asian characters.

As to this Batwoman’s past, Kane keeps her secrets well, leaving us to imagine what would inspire a wealthy lesbian to become a spandex-wearing crimefighter. In the hopes of revealing the unknown, DC promises Batwoman will be punching out ex’s and enemies alike for a long time to come.

Potato Head

I was meandering through Amazon.co.uk (as you do) when this got linked.. Had to look and what can I say, I want one!

Spud Trooper

And

Darth Tater

Just classic.

Chocolate

Heard a story on the radio this morning about chocolate. Had to investigate as it said milk chocolate is good for you! Here's the article I found after Googling :-

"Milk chocolate improves memory

Antioxidant-rich dark chocolate has been growing in appeal, but eating milk chocolate can improve brain activity, according to a Wheeling Jesuit University professor.

Dr. Bryan Raudenbush led the study, Effects Of Chocolate Consumption On Enhancing Cognitive Performance, assessing the effects of various chocolate types on cognitive performance, mood, and task workload. He will present his research this summer.

Nutrient content of foods aids in glucose release and increased blood flow. In a within-subjects design, participants completed the protocol under four conditions: 85g milk chocolate (total fat 26g, saturated fat 18g, carbohydrates 50g, fiber 2g, sugar 44g, protein 6g), 85g dark chocolate (total fat 34g, saturated fat 20g, carbohydrates 46g, fiber 6g, sugar 34g, protein 4g), 85g carob (total fat 20g, saturated fat 14g, carbohydrates 45g, fiber 11g, sugar 40g, protein 11g), and a non-consumption control condition.

After a 15-minute digestive period, participants completed a variety of computer-based neuropsychological tests assessing word discrimination, verbal memory, design memory, attention span, reaction time, problem solving, and response variability.

"Composite scores for verbal and visual memory were significantly higher for milk chocolate than the other conditions," says Dr. Raudenbush, associate professor of psychology and director of undergraduate research at the university. "Consumption of milk or dark chocolate showed improved impulse control and reaction time. These findings provide support for nutrient release via chocolate consumption to enhance cognitive performance."

So I shall only be improving my memory when I have my next Galaxy bar hurrah! Mind you, as a long term eater of said chocolate I dont think it works too well.. Otherwise why would I have gained the nickname "Dory" (the fish in Finding Nemo with no short term memory). Oh well, trust me to be immune.