Once upon a time the Daily Mirror was a good newspaper. It was well written and had a lot of worthwhile content. Over the last few years it has been in steady decline, something that has hastened since it revamped its appearance with multicoloured columns and headlines. Next, the society pages started to grow and it now tends to resemble the Hi!! magazine more than anything else, as this headline confirms.
"Patrol Duty Reduced"
It has been corrected now.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
The proposed ban on miniskirts
Sri Lanka is now contemplating a ban on miniskirts. The ban was proposed supposedly following complaints about women wearing skimpy clothing.
I naturally assumed that Sri Lanka, the first nation to defeat terrorism, was now proposing to be the first non-Islamic, non-communist, country to impose sartorial regulation on its people- but no; Uganda, Chile and surprisingly enough, a small town in Naples have beaten us in this race. Not all were successful in implementing the ban but they were all ahead of the race in proposing the ban.
Nevertheless, we can be confident that our ban will be the best of all and to this end I have a few suggestions to the authorities. For a start, what exactly should be the prescribed length of a skirt ? Given that women come in all shapes and sizes it is not possible to specify a fixed length, nor is it practical (however desirable) to subject every skirt to inspection. Therefore we need to have regulations that are flexible. We need to take a leaf from the book of one who has perfected the art of sartorial regulation and where better to start than a convent?
St Bridget's convent Colombo, specifies precisely the dress of its pupils:
* White uniform;
Pocket with the SBC monogram (available at the School Bookshop)
* Length : up to the back bend of the knee
* Pleats : 4 box pleats all of equal size
* Darts : 2 side darts only
* Waist : 3 inches lower than the usual waist
* Belt : Loosely with 6 loops. Belt must be sewn at the 2sides
* House Badge - to be worn daily (available at the School Bookshop)
* School Tie - to be worn for school functions only(available at the School Bookshop)
The length is specified as being an in lower than the back bend of the knee, a description that can be applied easily and readily to any woman, thus fulfilling the basic requirement of clarity and universality that must be met by all laws. The nuns further specify the position of the waist and the number of pleats, all carefully designed to give the girls a suitably frumpy look and ideas that the relevant ministry can also incorporate into the proposed dress code. After all, women my try to subvert the regulation by wearing exceptionally tight skirts with (horror of horrors) long slits that may send paragons of virtue to a state of cardiac arrest. An example of such an insidious design is attached, purely that the authorities can beware of the risk (and take a strong shot of arrack after reading the post).
Lets hope the authorities implement the uniform with no further delay, we will be the first in the world and dream come true for those who entertain fantasies involving school uniforms.
I naturally assumed that Sri Lanka, the first nation to defeat terrorism, was now proposing to be the first non-Islamic, non-communist, country to impose sartorial regulation on its people- but no; Uganda, Chile and surprisingly enough, a small town in Naples have beaten us in this race. Not all were successful in implementing the ban but they were all ahead of the race in proposing the ban.
Nevertheless, we can be confident that our ban will be the best of all and to this end I have a few suggestions to the authorities. For a start, what exactly should be the prescribed length of a skirt ? Given that women come in all shapes and sizes it is not possible to specify a fixed length, nor is it practical (however desirable) to subject every skirt to inspection. Therefore we need to have regulations that are flexible. We need to take a leaf from the book of one who has perfected the art of sartorial regulation and where better to start than a convent?
St Bridget's convent Colombo, specifies precisely the dress of its pupils:
* White uniform;
Pocket with the SBC monogram (available at the School Bookshop)
* Length : up to the back bend of the knee
* Pleats : 4 box pleats all of equal size
* Darts : 2 side darts only
* Waist : 3 inches lower than the usual waist
* Belt : Loosely with 6 loops. Belt must be sewn at the 2sides
* House Badge - to be worn daily (available at the School Bookshop)
* School Tie - to be worn for school functions only(available at the School Bookshop)
The length is specified as being an in lower than the back bend of the knee, a description that can be applied easily and readily to any woman, thus fulfilling the basic requirement of clarity and universality that must be met by all laws. The nuns further specify the position of the waist and the number of pleats, all carefully designed to give the girls a suitably frumpy look and ideas that the relevant ministry can also incorporate into the proposed dress code. After all, women my try to subvert the regulation by wearing exceptionally tight skirts with (horror of horrors) long slits that may send paragons of virtue to a state of cardiac arrest. An example of such an insidious design is attached, purely that the authorities can beware of the risk (and take a strong shot of arrack after reading the post).
Lets hope the authorities implement the uniform with no further delay, we will be the first in the world and dream come true for those who entertain fantasies involving school uniforms.
Friday, December 31, 2010
No more Ceylon
The Government information department has announced that the names of all public enterprises that begin as ‘Ceylon’ will be replaced with the word ‘Sri Lanka'.
Not something particularly startling, considering that the name of the country was officially changed thirty eight years ago. Indeed we may well ask why it took them so long.
Looking through old letters from overseas that my parents received in the 1970's the address ended with "Sri Lanka (Ceylon)" but this is no longer necessary. Sri Lanka is well known enough, perhaps too well known. The most ready associations with the name being terrorism, war and Prabakaran while Ceylon was associated with Tea, spices and tourism. The last observation was made by a gentleman from Denmark who has been living here since the 1970's. He also felt that Ceylon was a much nicer name, the shape of the letters that make up the name being round and curvy rather than the angular strokes that make up Sri Lanka.
Lee Kuan Yew observed that the change of Ceylon's name did little to improve the lot of its people and that Ceylon Tea continued to be sold as Ceylon Tea. The latest decision will not apply to the marketing of tea, which will remain Ceylon Tea. Then why bother with this?
I generally view the changing of names with suspicion for the motive behind this is little more than garnering some cheap publicity for the politician or official responsible for the act, while sowing confusion in the mind of the public. I have no problem with local names being given to public works or buildings but I think it is a prerequisite that the official concerned earns the right confer his chosen name (and thus bask in the reflected glory) by actually constructing whatever is being named.
Renaming existing roads or works is little more than a distraction, a trick to divert the attention of the public from more pressing matters. To add insult to injury, the new names are long and unwieldy and include honours and qualifications which are quite unnecessary. Why must it be "Dr Lester James Peiris Mawatha" (Dickman's Rd to the uninitiated) and not simply Peiris Mawatha? Why Sir Chittapalam A Gardiner Mawatha (Parsons Rd) and not Gardiner Mawatha?
This disease is not confined to local politicians, Bombay and Calcutta are cities built by the British whatever the local politicians may say. It would have been far better to have spent some effort in clearing slums, improving drainage, sanitation or any number of the problems in Bombay rather than confining their efforts to removing the last traces of the British, sixty years after their departure.
After all, what's in a name?
Not something particularly startling, considering that the name of the country was officially changed thirty eight years ago. Indeed we may well ask why it took them so long.
Looking through old letters from overseas that my parents received in the 1970's the address ended with "Sri Lanka (Ceylon)" but this is no longer necessary. Sri Lanka is well known enough, perhaps too well known. The most ready associations with the name being terrorism, war and Prabakaran while Ceylon was associated with Tea, spices and tourism. The last observation was made by a gentleman from Denmark who has been living here since the 1970's. He also felt that Ceylon was a much nicer name, the shape of the letters that make up the name being round and curvy rather than the angular strokes that make up Sri Lanka.
Lee Kuan Yew observed that the change of Ceylon's name did little to improve the lot of its people and that Ceylon Tea continued to be sold as Ceylon Tea. The latest decision will not apply to the marketing of tea, which will remain Ceylon Tea. Then why bother with this?
I generally view the changing of names with suspicion for the motive behind this is little more than garnering some cheap publicity for the politician or official responsible for the act, while sowing confusion in the mind of the public. I have no problem with local names being given to public works or buildings but I think it is a prerequisite that the official concerned earns the right confer his chosen name (and thus bask in the reflected glory) by actually constructing whatever is being named.
Renaming existing roads or works is little more than a distraction, a trick to divert the attention of the public from more pressing matters. To add insult to injury, the new names are long and unwieldy and include honours and qualifications which are quite unnecessary. Why must it be "Dr Lester James Peiris Mawatha" (Dickman's Rd to the uninitiated) and not simply Peiris Mawatha? Why Sir Chittapalam A Gardiner Mawatha (Parsons Rd) and not Gardiner Mawatha?
This disease is not confined to local politicians, Bombay and Calcutta are cities built by the British whatever the local politicians may say. It would have been far better to have spent some effort in clearing slums, improving drainage, sanitation or any number of the problems in Bombay rather than confining their efforts to removing the last traces of the British, sixty years after their departure.
After all, what's in a name?
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Smoke, drink, pay
This was the headline on a story in today's Daily Mirror.
Like many of the policies that are enunciated from time to time, it seems designed to garner as much attention as possible for its creator. Rather less thought seems to have gone into the impact on the intended beneficiaries of the policy.
For a start, how is it to be implemented? How does a doctor know that someone is a user of alcohol or a tobacco?
Heavy smokers will carry some evidence of their habit, in the form of discoloured teeth, fingernails and blackened lips. Moderate users of alcohol are much harder to detect, unless they actually enter hospital drunk and only the real dipsomaniacs can be identified as such on sight.
The doctors could pose the question to the patient, in which case the patient is likely to lie. The doctor will then have to judge whether the patient is telling the truth, which may mean that moderate users will probably get away with the lie, which means the policy will be rendered less effective, although the doctors diagnosis may be impaired by the fact that information is withheld.
According to the Ministry official "non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, cancer and high blood pressure are often due to the excessive consumption of alcohol and cigarettes.He said the ministry has decided to take these measures to encourage a drop in people’s consumption of alcohol and cigarettes."
Is it only for treatment of the diseases commonly associated with alcohol and tobacco use that are to be charged for, or will they be required to pay for all public health services? For example for injuries caused by a fall or an accident? What if hypertension or diabetes is due to hereditary factors, or possibly due to excessive consumption of sugar, something that Sri Lankan's are well know for?
It is true that valuable hospital resources are tied up by people suffering from lifestyle diseases but I believe the focus should be on prevention, which means education.
Paying something for health services may also not be a bad thing, especially if the funds are used to improve facilities, especially since the health budget is minuscule compared to the rest of Government spending but this needs to be based on sound principles.
Like many of the policies that are enunciated from time to time, it seems designed to garner as much attention as possible for its creator. Rather less thought seems to have gone into the impact on the intended beneficiaries of the policy.
For a start, how is it to be implemented? How does a doctor know that someone is a user of alcohol or a tobacco?
Heavy smokers will carry some evidence of their habit, in the form of discoloured teeth, fingernails and blackened lips. Moderate users of alcohol are much harder to detect, unless they actually enter hospital drunk and only the real dipsomaniacs can be identified as such on sight.
The doctors could pose the question to the patient, in which case the patient is likely to lie. The doctor will then have to judge whether the patient is telling the truth, which may mean that moderate users will probably get away with the lie, which means the policy will be rendered less effective, although the doctors diagnosis may be impaired by the fact that information is withheld.
According to the Ministry official "non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, cancer and high blood pressure are often due to the excessive consumption of alcohol and cigarettes.He said the ministry has decided to take these measures to encourage a drop in people’s consumption of alcohol and cigarettes."
Is it only for treatment of the diseases commonly associated with alcohol and tobacco use that are to be charged for, or will they be required to pay for all public health services? For example for injuries caused by a fall or an accident? What if hypertension or diabetes is due to hereditary factors, or possibly due to excessive consumption of sugar, something that Sri Lankan's are well know for?
It is true that valuable hospital resources are tied up by people suffering from lifestyle diseases but I believe the focus should be on prevention, which means education.
Paying something for health services may also not be a bad thing, especially if the funds are used to improve facilities, especially since the health budget is minuscule compared to the rest of Government spending but this needs to be based on sound principles.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
A Groomsmen's duties
A Groomsman's duties are many and varied and although I have now served in that capacity for four weddings I have never quite worked out what they should be.
For a start I always thought the groomsman had to look after horses. How he came to look after prospective husbands-to-be beats me, I suppose the poor fellow marching down the aisle needs what support he can get.
Anyway to cut the long story short, I was asked last week whether I possessed a black suit. I said I did. I was then asked, "you know you are one of the groomsmen, right?" A week is rather short notice but my week was relatively clear, so ok.
My first major duty was to ferry an old aunt around but due to various other things cropping up I was relieved of that and instead sent off to the estate to pick up some coconuts. Groomsmen are useful that way.
Driving 30km in the afternoon was not exactly my idea of a good time, but though the traffic was heavy, it was not impossible and I was rather pleased that my airconditioning (fixed at great expense) was working well, and by and by I reached my destination.
I alighted and spoke to the caretaker and got him to start loading the jeep and took in the scenery. Looking down at the old garage/barn in the first picture my mood improved dramatically, there is something about a lot of greenery that can release stress. Drinking a sweet king coconut, taking in the ducks, chickens and guinea fowl gathering around hoping that the owner had returned to feed them, all was at peace and I hardly felt the drive back.
Since then I've bought cocktail mixture (for the reception), shirts (for the groom, best man and groomsmen) and agreed to coordinate some cars.
Ho hum, not exactly earth shattering stuff, but given my reluctance to get involved in overly complicated affairs I think I've come off quite well.
Friday, December 03, 2010
Looking for something traditional this Christmas?
If you like the traditional carols, sung in classic arrangements by David Willcocks, Harold Darke and the like, drop in to St Andrew's at Galle Face (opposite Inn on the Green) at 7pm on the 12th of December.
A good way, as any, to start the Season.
Entrance free, all are welcome.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Writing letters
Can anybody tell me if it is correct to capitalise the first letter of the first word, immediately after the salutation on a letter?
My understanding is it is not. For example:
Dear Sir,
Re: PROJECT XYX
further to our discussion, we attach herewith a detailed proposal.
MS Word will usually capitalise the "F" in "further". I don't think this is right because the sentence starts with "Dear Sir" and ends with "proposal". It does not start with "Further"
Does anyone have an opinion?
Just had to redo about seven letters because of the perceived error.
My understanding is it is not. For example:
Dear Sir,
Re: PROJECT XYX
further to our discussion, we attach herewith a detailed proposal.
MS Word will usually capitalise the "F" in "further". I don't think this is right because the sentence starts with "Dear Sir" and ends with "proposal". It does not start with "Further"
Does anyone have an opinion?
Just had to redo about seven letters because of the perceived error.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Rushed off my feet
It has been a terrible weekend. It was only a few days ago that I was rejoicing in an unexpected extra holiday this month. There I was, anticipating time to catch up with my reading, sleep and generally unwinding by doing nothing at all.
Was my small wish too difficult for the gods?
I think it was because I have been rushed off my feet - running around like a mad thing since Friday afternoon, no proper afternoon nap on either Friday or Saturday (did sneak in a couple of hours here and there), slept little in the nights due to the damned cold weather, drove about 80-100 kilometres just running errands in Colombo and had the rain to deal with yesterday and today.
I have ended up having less time than a normal weekend. Either the gods have wicked sense of humour or some sorcery is afoot, and I think I know who's responsible......
Was my small wish too difficult for the gods?
I think it was because I have been rushed off my feet - running around like a mad thing since Friday afternoon, no proper afternoon nap on either Friday or Saturday (did sneak in a couple of hours here and there), slept little in the nights due to the damned cold weather, drove about 80-100 kilometres just running errands in Colombo and had the rain to deal with yesterday and today.
I have ended up having less time than a normal weekend. Either the gods have wicked sense of humour or some sorcery is afoot, and I think I know who's responsible......
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Holiday!!!
I have been rather overworked these days and my last weekend was quite stressful, hardly had time to relax. I was anxiously scanning the calendar to find out when the poya holiday was falling and was bitterly disappointed to find out it was on a Sunday.
Imagine my delight this morning to discover an email from our HR department telling us that we would be on holiday on Friday.
The message starts off like this:
"Dear Operational Team Members,
We have received a request form the Honorable Minister of the Labour Relations and Productivity Promotion to grant a holiday on Friday, 19th November 2010 to organizations located in areas of Colombo 1,2,3 and 4.
The Employers’ Federation in their circular to the employers have advised that appropriate action be initiated by such employers considering the practical difficulties the employees may encounter in terms of movement/road closers etc"
Oh, the irony of a Minister for productivity promotion declaring a holiday.
I however, am quite delighted.
Imagine my delight this morning to discover an email from our HR department telling us that we would be on holiday on Friday.
The message starts off like this:
"Dear Operational Team Members,
We have received a request form the Honorable Minister of the Labour Relations and Productivity Promotion to grant a holiday on Friday, 19th November 2010 to organizations located in areas of Colombo 1,2,3 and 4.
The Employers’ Federation in their circular to the employers have advised that appropriate action be initiated by such employers considering the practical difficulties the employees may encounter in terms of movement/road closers etc"
Oh, the irony of a Minister for productivity promotion declaring a holiday.
I however, am quite delighted.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Once an accident, twice a coincidence, but thrice?
Kottu is pretty boring these days, mostly made up of posts on sports and fashion. Not that I mind those, but it is hard to have a conversation on these.
Instead of Kottu, I now trawl through Lady D's blogroll instead, and what did I find today?
Purple Socks says: I want to
The Drummer replies: I don't do, I don't do.
Ramblings says: One night in Bangkok
The Rose states: Why A Woman is a Better Wingman
Are these just a coincidence or is the blogosphere hotting up?
Instead of Kottu, I now trawl through Lady D's blogroll instead, and what did I find today?
Purple Socks says: I want to
The Drummer replies: I don't do, I don't do.
Ramblings says: One night in Bangkok
The Rose states: Why A Woman is a Better Wingman
Are these just a coincidence or is the blogosphere hotting up?
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
One for the Girls
A college girl from Duke University, published her college learning, the circulation of which reached "viral" proportions.
Its not hard to see why, thought it was worth sharing, may inspire others to follow the same route, there are many fine writers and sharp analytical minds in the local blogosphere.
Its not hard to see why, thought it was worth sharing, may inspire others to follow the same route, there are many fine writers and sharp analytical minds in the local blogosphere.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Its that time of the year again...
when the slaving subjects like myself pay our tribute to our lords (aka the Income tax department).
Having a long weekend on hand is ideal for this purpose since one has ample time to trawl through bank statements, salary slips, cursing all the missing pieces of paper, which need to be tracked down.
A couple of years back I hit on the bright idea of setting up a worksheet with all the calculations, so that all I need to do is plug in the figures. This has been a major labour saver and since not a lot changes from year to year my calculation comes out on a jiffy. I've also improved my filing system - previously I used to shove everything into a box and then have to scratch my head to find the various bits and pieces. Now I have envelopes labeled with each tax year for each type of document (bank statements, dividend slips, salary slips etc) and I keep filing the things every month or two. Thus things have become pretty streamlined.
Imagine therefore my horror, when I plugged my figures in and found out that I had to PAY few lakhs as taxes. I don't even have that kind of money in the bank, so spent the entire morning trying to reconcile income and PAYE taxes before discovering that it was merely a problem with the spreadsheet - the Inland Revenue has changed the format of the tax table and I had not amended my worksheet.
Anyway, I now have to pay a sum total of Rs.262 as taxes, so I'm smiling now.
Just hope the large refunds that I claimed last year and the year before were not due to a similar error.......(and no they have not paid, but this might explain the letters they keep sending, asking for more details...).
Anyway will check on that NEXT weekend, I've spent enough of this one calculating taxes. Luckily, I've also learned another trick that comes in handy when dealing with the tax man - take photocopies of EVERYTHING you ever give them - then when they ask for details later you know EXACTLY what to say, HA!.
Having a long weekend on hand is ideal for this purpose since one has ample time to trawl through bank statements, salary slips, cursing all the missing pieces of paper, which need to be tracked down.
A couple of years back I hit on the bright idea of setting up a worksheet with all the calculations, so that all I need to do is plug in the figures. This has been a major labour saver and since not a lot changes from year to year my calculation comes out on a jiffy. I've also improved my filing system - previously I used to shove everything into a box and then have to scratch my head to find the various bits and pieces. Now I have envelopes labeled with each tax year for each type of document (bank statements, dividend slips, salary slips etc) and I keep filing the things every month or two. Thus things have become pretty streamlined.
Imagine therefore my horror, when I plugged my figures in and found out that I had to PAY few lakhs as taxes. I don't even have that kind of money in the bank, so spent the entire morning trying to reconcile income and PAYE taxes before discovering that it was merely a problem with the spreadsheet - the Inland Revenue has changed the format of the tax table and I had not amended my worksheet.
Anyway, I now have to pay a sum total of Rs.262 as taxes, so I'm smiling now.
Just hope the large refunds that I claimed last year and the year before were not due to a similar error.......(and no they have not paid, but this might explain the letters they keep sending, asking for more details...).
Anyway will check on that NEXT weekend, I've spent enough of this one calculating taxes. Luckily, I've also learned another trick that comes in handy when dealing with the tax man - take photocopies of EVERYTHING you ever give them - then when they ask for details later you know EXACTLY what to say, HA!.
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Saga
In the beginning there was the sore throat. The sore throat refused to respond so it was dosed with saltwater rinses.
The sore throat duly disappeared, but a cough appeared it its place. And what a cough it was! All day, all night, dry, hacking and persistent.
Finally the cough receded but did not disappear and soon after it started to recede, on came the cold. Sneezing merrily, this went on for two more days. Finally the cold began to recede and the cough returned.
Vitamin c, panadol, saltwater gargles, honey, nothing worked.
Finally went to the doctor, who prescribed a cocktail of drugs. Having read this post decided I would do some research on what I had been prescribed.
Item No. 1: Clavamox. Do google search and get following result "Canine broad-spectrum antibiotic in oral dosage form: oral tablets."
eh?
Approved Uses
CLAVAMOX® (amoxicillin trihydrate/clavulanate potassium) TABLETS are approved for treatment of the following canine infections:
* Skin and soft-tissue infections such as wounds, abscesses, cellulitis, and superficial/juvenile and deep pyoderma due to susceptible strains of the following organisms: β-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus aureus, non-β-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. and E. coli.
* Periodontal infections due to susceptible strains of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
Hang on a minute, that does not look like what I was suffering from and I'm not a dog.
Lets take a look at the rest
No. 2 Lorid
Search result: Lorid is NOT known to be marketed in the USA. Lorid may be available in the countries listed below.
This looks worrying.
Could it be this?
Loratadine
Introduction
Loratadine is an oral non-sedating H 1-blocker that is similar in structure to cyproheptadine and azatadine, other H 1-blockers.
.....This competitive antagonism blocks the effects of histamine on H1-receptors in the GI tract, uterus, large blood vessels, and bronchial muscle. It does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier...
eerr ok, presumably stops the blocked nose. Lets hope it does'nt do anything else. The blood brain business is worrying, especially since I feel so tired and I can't afford to lose any more brain cells, I'm already short on gray matter.
No. 3 DERIPHYLLIN TAB® [tab]
Belongs to the class of other systemic drugs used in the treatment of obstructive airway diseases, xanthines.
Ok, something else for a blocked nose?
Bricanyl
Main use: Asthma
Yes, But I don't HAVE asthma and never experienced any difficulties in breathing. The doctor asked me this question and I said no, so why this drug?
Anyway the symptoms have eased greatly, feeling much better (one day into the dosage), except for low energy (tackling that by eating chocolate and sweets) and occasional chills, for which I've started panadol again. Hope THAT does not react with this cocktail.
The sore throat duly disappeared, but a cough appeared it its place. And what a cough it was! All day, all night, dry, hacking and persistent.
Finally the cough receded but did not disappear and soon after it started to recede, on came the cold. Sneezing merrily, this went on for two more days. Finally the cold began to recede and the cough returned.
Vitamin c, panadol, saltwater gargles, honey, nothing worked.
Finally went to the doctor, who prescribed a cocktail of drugs. Having read this post decided I would do some research on what I had been prescribed.
Item No. 1: Clavamox. Do google search and get following result "Canine broad-spectrum antibiotic in oral dosage form: oral tablets."
eh?
Approved Uses
CLAVAMOX® (amoxicillin trihydrate/clavulanate potassium) TABLETS are approved for treatment of the following canine infections:
* Skin and soft-tissue infections such as wounds, abscesses, cellulitis, and superficial/juvenile and deep pyoderma due to susceptible strains of the following organisms: β-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus aureus, non-β-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. and E. coli.
* Periodontal infections due to susceptible strains of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
Hang on a minute, that does not look like what I was suffering from and I'm not a dog.
Lets take a look at the rest
No. 2 Lorid
Search result: Lorid is NOT known to be marketed in the USA. Lorid may be available in the countries listed below.
This looks worrying.
Could it be this?
Loratadine
Introduction
Loratadine is an oral non-sedating H 1-blocker that is similar in structure to cyproheptadine and azatadine, other H 1-blockers.
.....This competitive antagonism blocks the effects of histamine on H1-receptors in the GI tract, uterus, large blood vessels, and bronchial muscle. It does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier...
eerr ok, presumably stops the blocked nose. Lets hope it does'nt do anything else. The blood brain business is worrying, especially since I feel so tired and I can't afford to lose any more brain cells, I'm already short on gray matter.
No. 3 DERIPHYLLIN TAB® [tab]
Belongs to the class of other systemic drugs used in the treatment of obstructive airway diseases, xanthines.
Ok, something else for a blocked nose?
Bricanyl
Main use: Asthma
Yes, But I don't HAVE asthma and never experienced any difficulties in breathing. The doctor asked me this question and I said no, so why this drug?
Anyway the symptoms have eased greatly, feeling much better (one day into the dosage), except for low energy (tackling that by eating chocolate and sweets) and occasional chills, for which I've started panadol again. Hope THAT does not react with this cocktail.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Menagerie
I seem to encounter three types of people with distressing frequency: fools, knaves and thieves.
Definition of FOOL
: a person lacking in judgment or prudence
: a harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understanding
A knave
: a tricky deceitful fellow
A thief
One who steals, especially by stealth.
I don't suffer fools gladly, what have I done to be surrounded by them and the even more insidious thieves and knaves?
Definition of FOOL
: a person lacking in judgment or prudence
: a harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understanding
A knave
: a tricky deceitful fellow
A thief
One who steals, especially by stealth.
I don't suffer fools gladly, what have I done to be surrounded by them and the even more insidious thieves and knaves?
Saturday, October 16, 2010
The search for intelligent life
Having found intelligent life to be sadly lacking in the beloved motherland and since I am in constant need of regular mental stimulation, have decided to look for intelligent life- in outer space.
Imagine my surprise then, when I discover that I have been beaten in this novel quest. The search for extraterrestrial intelligence, or SETI to the cognoscenti is already well established.
The UN has established an Office for Outer Space Affairs which is headed by Mazlan Othman a Malaysian astrophysicist, a lady that one newspaper has apparently dubbed the "alien ambassador".
Ok, ET, here I come.
Do you read me? Over. Do you read me? Over.
Imagine my surprise then, when I discover that I have been beaten in this novel quest. The search for extraterrestrial intelligence, or SETI to the cognoscenti is already well established.
The UN has established an Office for Outer Space Affairs which is headed by Mazlan Othman a Malaysian astrophysicist, a lady that one newspaper has apparently dubbed the "alien ambassador".
Ok, ET, here I come.
Do you read me? Over. Do you read me? Over.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
A gift to the world
Its been hectic at work. I have just had a chance to look at Monday's papers when a front page story caught my
eye.
"Buddhism, biggest gift of SL to world" read the headline.
Yes, but I thought it came from India?
eye.
"Buddhism, biggest gift of SL to world" read the headline.
Yes, but I thought it came from India?
Monday, September 27, 2010
Women's rights
A friend of a friend complained thus:
"I'm off to the police tomorrow...I'm just sick of getting ripped off, screwed over and hit on incessantly...this really isn't a good place for any single white Western woman to be living."
Says a lot about the society we live in. For all the pious crackdown on vice: porn, alcohol, 'indecent' hoardings, dress codes being imposed in universities there are some fundamental views on women that are distinctly neolithic.
I suppose that like the Victorian values, on which the new morality is based, it goes with the same Victorian hypocrisy.
"I'm off to the police tomorrow...I'm just sick of getting ripped off, screwed over and hit on incessantly...this really isn't a good place for any single white Western woman to be living."
Says a lot about the society we live in. For all the pious crackdown on vice: porn, alcohol, 'indecent' hoardings, dress codes being imposed in universities there are some fundamental views on women that are distinctly neolithic.
I suppose that like the Victorian values, on which the new morality is based, it goes with the same Victorian hypocrisy.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Oh dear
A visit to the tea country is something I usually enjoy. Rolling hills, clothed in greenery, the fresh mountain air, charming old buildings and usually tasty cooking to go with it.
Unfortunately this visit was lacking in most of the ingredients. Visited two estates owned by the JEDB and was greeted by acre upon acre of decrepit fields. A friend once told me that tea should look like a velvet carpet. These carpets were looking distinctly tatty with many holes, the few tea bushes present in an unruly state, weeds and undergrowth everywhere. Many a field seemed to have been taken over completely by thick grass.
A good testament to the follies of the state engaging in business.
It will take years of work and lots of money to restore these to good health. The contrast when we crossed over to the privately managed estate next-door was welcome. There were still gaps in the fields but they were smaller, the bushes had been pruned and plucked. There was tea everywhere and some sense of order being imposed on nature, instead of the untidy growth.
Going back to a question I have posed before: how did the people benefit from the nationalisation of what was then the most important industry in the country?
Were the state coffers filled with the treasure that the foreign owners were pocketing? No. The estates have been losing money almost continuously for years. Increased market share worldwide? No, it has been declining. More value addition? Yes, but entirely from the private sector, the best work being done before they were allowed back ownership.
More or better employment? Don't know but the workers on these estates were complaining about not enough work and that their EPF and ETF had not been paid for years.
Anyway, got a few pictures of the nicer bits of scenery, not great photographs but hope you like them.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Vive Le Roi!
There is not much more to be said. If you can't beat 'em join 'em and perhaps we should all join in and sing this?
Monday, September 06, 2010
Brilliant
The radio commercials for DSI tyres featuring various animals. The bull on his way to the China shop (running the red light in the process), the donkey who is overtakes on the wrong lane and another one or two creatures.
Traffic safety message and an advertisement rolled into one.
Very entertaining. Wonder who produced them? Were they locally done?
Traffic safety message and an advertisement rolled into one.
Very entertaining. Wonder who produced them? Were they locally done?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)