Pancakes and Roosters

So who forgot it was pancake day on tuesday? Well, I did. Which is surprising, considering the willingness I show to cooking them with my special brandy butter filling. Never mind, I'll just have to celebrate a late pancake day sometime soon.

Not a day before, Mainz found itself at fever pitch with the "carnival". Yes, whilst people danced to good rhythms with exotic costumes and lovely weather in Brazil and Barranquilla, here in Mainz everything took on a military/political apperance as soldiers marched through the streets to the sound of their drums. Along with all the drunkards lining the pavements, the mess of broken bottles and left over food, the transport system comes to a stop for 3 days during which it invariably snows and people start to realise that 5 hours standing outside at -5 degrees is probably not the healthiest of pastimes.

Following on from Ireland, New York and Italy's recent smoking bans, the home of the cigar, Cuba, also brought in powerful legislation banning the smoking in public places, and sale of tabacco near schools.

If you think the state of people's driving in Europe is getting worse, just lend a thought for those in the US. After a car was followed swerving all over the road, crashing into two different cars whilst trying to park in it's drive, and then reversing into the observing policeman's car, it was found that the driver of said vehicle was in fact a 4-year-old boy who had learnt to drive whilst sitting on his mother's lap...

Now for any of you who like to let it hang out in public (your underwear, I'm talking about) take care if going to the state of Virginia. After passing a new proposal (it still has to be ratified by the state senate) people who show too much in public will be fined around 50 dollars.

For all those men out there reading this (yes, this does even include you, Jordi :) take a look at this story about a woman who grabbed at her ex's pants, ripping them off, and with them one of his testicles. She then attemped to swallow it, choked and then spat it out on the floor. Makes you queasy just thinking about it...

Anybody hoping to be able to visit any of the 2006 world cup matches in Germany should better watch out, as all tickets are being fitted with RFID tags, and your identity will be checked with it's database on entering the stadium. If you are not the person who bought the ticket (eg someone gave it as a present, or was ill and passed it on to you to use) you wil not be allowed in. I suppose that's one way of reducing the number of people who will see Germany get knocked out after the first round...(biased, me?)

And finally, for those who went out and bought the much hyped MS Tablet PC, take heed of this new warning from the manufacturer, stating that it is advisable to reboot your machine every day...

Well, a happy new chinese rooster year to you all, may you find your gold (to do with the rooster, honest).