Back to Basics

Despite this title referring to education in the UK, it is in fact meant to relate to the fact that there's so much to tell, and so little time, which is why, in this short blog, a fly-by-resume of the recent news stories will be presented.

A man in China who wanted to call his son '@' has been told that he can't. Not because it's a stupid idea and would lead to problems when the kid gets old enough to ask what his dad was on when he thought of that as a name, rather because there is no mandarin equivalent of this computer-specific symbol.

Something to look out for next time you need to release yourself in a pub or club, is the new interactive urinals. Yes, you can see many benefits from that, including playing games of pinball, splat-the-rat, and watching the party political broadcasts whilst doing the necessaries.

As those of you who let me speak without hinderence, might have gleened, whilst doing a school project about Peru at the age of 11 I found out that every year there's a thousand-guinea-pig-sacrifice, whereby the little animals are thrown into a volcano as an offering to the gods. Well, this may become a little bit more difficult from now on, as scientists at a local university have managed to breed a super guinea pig, with extra meat and less fat. I can see the national exports increasing dramatically in the near future...

Ever wondered why Germany has so many car companies still? Well, maybe because their government has passed laws to protect them from takeover. This is what the European Commission is now trying to find out.

Talking about problems with Europe, another row has erupted in how countries are allowed to spell the shared currency. Apart from Greece, that has a different alphabet, all member states are forced to spell the Euro the same way. That was until the newly accepted countries decided that they had different ideas.

A new scientific excuse has been discovered for people who, apparently unknowingly, get jiggy with people other than their partners at night. It's called Sleep Sex and there has already been a case of it in Australia (where else?).

Kids in the UK have a new excuse when asked by their parents to do some food shopping. In the run-up to Halloween (the day before my birthday, by the way) supermarkets are refusing to sell eggs to children for fear of them throwing them on this dark night. I presume they've never heard of this being a favourite habit of kids at the end of school term as well then...

Ever wondered where that crispy 50 Euro note came from? Well, after a recent police raid, it's probably not going to come from Colombia where a huge number of counterfeit notes were found.

Not to keep Spain out of the news, a row has erupted as to why the current tennis tournament in Madrid has employed models as ball-girls. To get more men to watch? No, because for that we have some very nice female tennis stars...(Kournikova anyone?).

Well, after that roundup of news, you'll have to wait for my next entry to find out about the wedding in Malaga...

Sleep carefully...

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain

Well, it might do, but that doesn't affect me, as I'm off to the south, in particular, Malaga.

The reason for this trip of only four days is a most important one. The first Erasmus Wedding (but hopefully not the last) between Marilo and Julio is also my first spanish wedding, so I'll be sure to take the required amount of photos :)

As my flight comes closer, and the baggage still isn't packed (where is that bag...) I just have time for a few news stories.

Stop complaining about smelly feet, put a sock in it (yes, that is 'in' and not 'on'). Scientists have discovered another great benefit from nanotechnology, in foot-deodourising socks. No more washing every 20 minutes, just put on the socks and the feet smell good. Of course, this might lead to still more people believing that they don't have to wash themselves each week...

A new texting service in the UK answers any question that is sent to it by SMS. And apparently, 10.48pm is the main time when questions regarding pulling-ability (or good-lookingness for the rest of you) are sent. However, this article puts some light on the reasons why this time in particular has been chosen.

An uncomfy moment for someone at an australian airport, as it was evacuated when a bin started vibrating. Soon afterwards, an unnamed person came forward to own up to having left her 'adult toy' there.

Ok, enough fun, I'm off to the sun