viernes, 24 de febrero de 2006

Osseous options or organs on offer…

Photo: Oxford University Museum
Talk about skeletons in the closet! This is spooky although it probably happens quite regularly in a global context: a modern day version of the 2 Williams, Burke and Hare. At least in this case it appears that they haven't actually killed any of the 'donors' but who's to say that wouldn't have happened had the market been available! From the article, "The men, including the chief executive of a company that sold human tissue for medical implants, were indicted on charges including conspiracy, unlawful dissection and forgery."... "Prosecutors said the men, working with a Brooklyn funeral home, got bones and organs from the bodies of people who were not organ donors." This story would make a good movie, except I seem to remember the rather enjoyable film thriller 'Extreme Measures' with Hugh Grant and Gene Hackman; they've already done it!
S.O.

Osseous options or organs on offer…

Talk about skeletons in the closet! This is spooky although it probably happens quite regularly in a global context: a modern day version of the 2 Williams, Burke and Hare. At least in this case it appears that they haven't actually killed any of the 'donors' but who's to say that wouldn't have happened had the market been available!

From the article, "The men, including the chief executive of a company that sold human tissue for medical implants, were indicted on charges including conspiracy, unlawful dissection and forgery."

"Prosecutors said the men, working with a Brooklyn funeral home, got bones and organs from the bodies of people who were not organ donors."

Photo credit to Oxford University Museum.

This story would make a good movie...except I seem to remember the rather enjoyable film thriller 'Extreme Measures' with Hugh Grant and Gene Hackman; they've already done it!

S.O.

domingo, 19 de febrero de 2006

On opprobrious 'offence'...

From the Beeb: "At least 10 churches, some hotels, more than 20 shops and over 10 vehicles were burned by the protesters," one resident told Reuters news agency by telephone. Another resident said "most of the dead were Christians beaten to death on the streets by the rioters", according to the Associated Press news agency.

From related coverage re Pakistan rioting, "Is this the image of ourselves that we want to paint for the outside world?" Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Ellahi asked of the riots in Lahore. "Are we trying to convince the West that Muslims are indeed violent people?"


Pervez, it certainly seems like it.

This is a follow up to my original post about the polemic caused by the Mohammed cartoons, and my opinion of it.

On opprobrious 'offence'...

From the Beeb: "At least 10 churches, some hotels, more than 20 shops and over 10 vehicles were burned by the protesters," one resident told Reuters news agency by telephone. Another resident said "most of the dead were Christians beaten to death on the streets by the rioters", according to the Associated Press news agency.

From related coverage re Pakistan rioting, "Is this the image of ourselves that we want to paint for the outside world?" Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Ellahi asked of the riots in Lahore. "Are we trying to convince the West that Muslims are indeed violent people?"


Pervez, it certainly seems like it.

This is a follow up to my original post about the polemic caused by the Mohammed cartoons, and my opinion of it.

Odd (open-legged?) Open Day...

Just had to giggle at this; no so much the actual story, which I think was a good idea (except it might offend Muslims...ooops! NO! That's another story...) , but one or two funny expressions...

'AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Amsterdam's famed red light district held its first ever "open day" on Saturday as its peep-shows and brothels gave crowds of wide-eyed visitors free entry to help shed the area's increasingly negative reputation.'

OK...what strikes you as funny about that, the "free entry" perhaps?...:-)

Then further on in the story a man is interviewed re a theatre performance and being able to use his imagination...

"It was still sexy and you can use your imagination," said 31-year-old Rob Jansen, on leaving the Casa Rosso theatre, where the strippers left their clothes while performing.

All innocent really...no? Clearly they have missed out the word "on" because as the sentence reads is it just me that sees the 'theatre as changing room' gag?

Hehehe

S.O.

Odd (open-legged?) Open Day...

Just had to giggle at this; no so much the actual story, which I think was a good idea (except it might offend Muslims...ooops! NO! That's another story...) , but one or two funny expressions...

'AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Amsterdam's famed red light district held its first ever "open day" on Saturday as its peep-shows and brothels gave crowds of wide-eyed visitors free entry to help shed the area's increasingly negative reputation.'

OK...what strikes you as funny about that, the "free entry" perhaps?...:-)

Then further on in the story a man is interviewed re a theatre performance and being able to use his imagination...

"It was still sexy and you can use your imagination," said 31-year-old Rob Jansen, on leaving the Casa Rosso theatre, where the strippers left their clothes while performing.

All innocent really...no? Clearly they have missed out the word "on" because as the sentence reads is it just me that sees the 'theatre as changing room' gag?

Hehehe

S.O.

martes, 14 de febrero de 2006

Open-eyed osculation or opsablepsia…

Kissing
Happy Valentine's Day, The Lovers Day, Day of those in Love etc. Actually here in Catalonia they celebrate this more on the Día de Sant Jordi on 23rd April (yep, St. George is their patron Saint) when the giving of a book to the guys and a rose/s for the gals is the order of the day ...anyway I'm digressing. The open eyed-kiss is mentioned amongst a long list at Holistic Wisdom Inc., in an article named “Some Different Types of Kissing”: Open eyed kiss: Maintain eye contact during kissing. Well do you or don’t you? I think I almost always close my eyes when kissing on the lips. Or a closed eye kiss, which I would say is far, FAR more common: 'Close your eyes and imagine how this kiss will lead to the best sexual encounter ever imaginable'...their words! I don't always think that! Whatever, a big kiss to everyone...(who deserves one).

The list goes on...Lick kiss. While kissing, use your tongue to lick her tongue, her teeth, and the roof of her mouth. Do not confuse this 'lick' with a sloppy wet kiss. This 'lick' is very precise. This technique is meant to be used to pull your partner's mouth slightly closer to yours and to feel what your partner feels like.

Talking kiss: The talking kiss refers to whispering 'sweet nothings' to your partner as you kiss them on their lips. In between each kiss or two, while still invading their space, sharing thoughts with them about how much you like them, or how much they turn you on.

Suspenseful kiss: The type that has a long buildup and both parties wonder when the other one will start to lean over…

Elongated kiss: this one involves a bit of mouth movement (opening and closing). With the use of your tongue: Imagine sucking on your arm, while using your tongue to gently pull in the skin, and then push the skin back onto the arm. The movements are best when slow, steady and precise.

Motion kiss: Change kissing speeds. Begin super slow, and then let yourself speed up. The beginning part of the kiss should last at least 10 minutes, and then after your partner can not stand it any longer speed up. Then, do not forget to slow your speed down. Too much of anything is not a good thing. Frequent subtle alterations, keeps the person guessing as to what will come next.

Mouth explorer kiss: Use your tongue to explore the rest of your partner's mouth. What does the inside of your partner's cheek feel like, the back of the lips? Does it feel dry, hard, of firm?

Teeth cleaner kiss: While kissing, run your tongue along the inside of their mouth. Explore the structure of your partner's teeth. Feel each tooth (within reason), one by one. By following each grove, note the texture (s) of the tooth.

Slobbery kiss: This is excellent for cunnilingus and fellatio. (before you say anything I didn't add that!) The saliva acts as lubrication. However, at all other times, unless specifically requested, avoid the slobbery kiss.

Silent kiss: Kiss your partner without making any noise - best to practice when someone is around and you do not want to be heard…and still it goes on:
Copycat kiss: Kiss your partner the exact way that she/he kisses you.
Tongue player kiss: Use your tongue to play with their tongue.
Wetting lips kiss. Run your tongue along the contours of their lips.
Sucking kiss: Exactly that - Suck on their lips.
Upper lip kiss: Only kiss the upper part of the lip.
Lower lip kiss: Only kiss the lower part of the lip.
The nibbling kiss: Nibble/kiss on their lips and all over their cheeks and ears.
Tongue sucker kiss: Literally, suck on your partner's tongue as if it was a finger.
Public kiss: Kiss your partner in public, kiss your partner in private.
Loud kiss: Kiss your partner while making loud kissing noises.
Elevator (Lift) kiss: Sneak a kiss in to your partner when no one else is around.
Shared Candy Kiss: Sharing a sweet or tasty morsel can be erotic and yummy!
Peck kiss: Just a fast kiss where you peck your partner on the lips.
X
S.O.
Note:opsablepsia. n - not looking into another's eyes

Open-eyed osculation or opsablepsia…

Happy Valentine's Day, The Lovers Day, Day of those in Love etc. Actually here in Catalonia they celebrate this more on the Día de Sant Jordi on 23rd April (yep, St. George is their patron Saint) when the giving of a book to the guys and a rose/s for the gals is the order of the day....anyway I'm digressing. The open eyed-kiss is mentioned amongst a long list at Holistic Wisdom Inc., in an article named “Some Different Types of Kissing”: Open eyed kiss: Maintain eye contact during kissing. Well do you or don’t you? I think I almost always close my eyes when kissing on the lips. Or a closed eye kiss, which I would say is far, FAR more common: 'Close your eyes and imagine how this kiss will lead to the best sexual encounter ever imaginable'...their words! I don't always think that!

Whatver, a big kiss to everyone...(who deserves one).

The list goes on...Lick kiss. While kissing, use your tongue to lick her tongue, her teeth, and the roof of her mouth. Do not confuse this 'lick' with a sloppy wet kiss. This 'lick' is very precise. This technique is meant to be used to pull your partner's mouth slightly closer to yours and to feel what your partner feels like.

Talking kiss: The talking kiss refers to whispering 'sweet nothings' to your partner as you kiss them on their lips. In between each kiss or two, while still invading their space, sharing thoughts with them about how much you like them, or how much they turn you on.
Suspenseful kiss: The type that has a long buildup and both parties wonder when the other one will start to lean over…

Elongated kiss: this one involves a bit of mouth movement (opening and closing). With the use of your tongue: Imagine sucking on your arm, while using your tongue to gently pull in the skin, and then push the skin back onto the arm. The movements are best when slow, steady and precise.

Motion kiss: Change kissing speeds. Begin super slow, and then let yourself speed up. The beginning part of the kiss should last at least 10 minutes, and then after your partner can not stand it any longer speed up. Then, do not forget to slow your speed down. Too much of anything is not a good thing. Frequent subtle alterations, keeps the person guessing as to what will come next.

Mouth explorer kiss: Use your tongue to explore the rest of your partner's mouth. What does the inside of your partner's cheek feel like, the back of the lips? Does it feel dry, hard, of firm?
Teeth cleaner kiss: While kissing, run your tongue along the inside of their mouth. Explore the structure of your partner's teeth. Feel each tooth (within reason), one by one. By following each grove, note the texture (s) of the tooth.

Slobbery kiss: This is excellent for cunnilingus and fellatio. (before you say anything I didn't add that!) The saliva acts as lubrication. However, at all other times, unless specifically requested, avoid the slobbery kiss.

Silent kiss: Kiss your partner without making any noise - best to practice when someone is around and you do not want to be heard.

…and still it goes on:
Copycat kiss: Kiss your partner the exact way that she/he kisses you.
Tongue player kiss: Use your tongue to play with their tongue.
Wetting lips kiss. Run your tongue along the contours of their lips.
Sucking kiss: Exactly that - Suck on their lips.
Upper lip kiss: Only kiss the upper part of the lip.
Lower lip kiss: Only kiss the lower part of the lip.
The nibbling kiss: Nibble/kiss on their lips and all over their cheeks and ears.
Tongue sucker kiss: Literally, suck on your partner's tongue as if it was a finger.
Public kiss: Kiss your partner in public, kiss your partner in private.
Loud kiss: Kiss your partner while making loud kissing noises.
Elevator (Lift) kiss: Sneak a kiss in to your partner when no one else is around.
Shared Candy Kiss: Sharing a sweet or tasty morsel can be erotic and yummy!
Peck kiss: Just a fast kiss where you peck your partner on the lips.

X

S.O.

Note: opsablepsia. n - not looking into another's eyes

lunes, 13 de febrero de 2006

Olympic Oldies - oro!...

Well the Winter Olympics are well under way…anyone watching it regularly, or just bits on the news? Nice to see that Team GB bagged the first medal, and gold at that! The Mens' Curling from 1924! Eighty two years on the IOC agreed to look into the matter after the Glasgow Herald filed a claim on behalf of the families of the team...but at least the current team has started well (I like the 'roundel' they use as the target) and the Women Curlers (???) are starting their Olympic title defense with winning ways too.

Image hosting by Photobucket
None of this is really my thing except for the ice-hockey, the 2nd best sport on the planet...I wonder will Canada ever produce another Wayne Gretzky, one of my heros from the 1980's(pictured)? However, as the usual suspects take the lead (and most of the top ten positions) in the medals table it’s nice to see South Korea with 3 medals already...doesn’t that make you think we are doing SOMETHING wrong? Shouldn’t we be trying a little harder: is it funding? Is it skill? Where are we going wrong? Whatever, we’re not lacking confidence: check out the position of the medal table here...loud and proud!

S.O.

Olympic Oldies - oro!...

Well the Winter Olympics are well under way…anyone watching it regularly, or just bits on the news? Nice to see that Team GB bagged the first medal, and gold at that! The Mens' Curling from 1924! Eighty two years on the IOC agreed to look into the matter after the Glasgow Herald filed a claim on behalf of the families of the team...but at least the current team has started well (I like the 'roundel' they use as the target) and the Women Curlers (???) are starting their Olympic title defense with winning ways too.

Image hosting by Photobucket
None of this is really my thing except for the ice-hockey, the 2nd best sport on the planet...I wonder will Canada ever produce another Wayne Gretzky, one of my heros from the 1980's(pictured)? However, as the usual suspects take the lead (and most of the top ten positions) in the medals table it’s nice to see South Korea with 3 medals already...doesn’t that make you think we are doing SOMETHING wrong? Shouldn’t we be trying a little harder: is it funding? Is it skill? Where are we going wrong? Whatever, we’re not lacking confidence: check out the position of the medal table here...loud and proud!

S.O.

viernes, 10 de febrero de 2006

Oscar orgullo (orgooyou)...

"There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil, a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome.''
"And your defect is a propensity to hate every body.''
"And yours,'' he replied with a smile, "is
wilfully to misunderstand them.''

Could be talking about the world today and all its related problems...but then Miss Bingley said "Do let us have a little music,''...yes, Pride and Prejudice (
Orgullo y Prejuicio) by Jane Austen (read online here)

The film has some nominations at this years Oscars among which is one for best actress (full list here)...COME ON KEIRA! Phwoar!!!.

I also had a dream where I was Tom Ford the other night...no, not what your thinking! I was just very jealous. Now where did I put my camera and chest wig?

S.O.

Oscar orgullo (orgooyou)...

"There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil, a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome.''
"And your defect is a propensity to hate every body.''
"And yours,'' he replied with a smile, "is
wilfully to misunderstand them.''

Could be talking about the world today and all its related problems...but then Miss Bingley said "Do let us have a little music,''...yes, Pride and Prejudice (
Orgullo y Prejuicio) by Jane Austen (read online here)

The film has some nominations at this years Oscars among which is one for best actress (full list here)...COME ON KEIRA! Phwoar!!!.

I also had a dream where I was Tom Ford the other night...no, not what your thinking! I was just very jealous. Now where did I put my camera and chest wig?

S.O.

domingo, 5 de febrero de 2006

Onward to oblivion...

Stop press: edited Monday 06/02/2006...
As far as I know blasphemy is not a crime in any European country...
rioting, burning and death threats are.

Despite many protests and boycotts across the Muslim world (including deaths now reported in Afghanistan), some or all of the cartoons have now appeared in papers in the following European countries: Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Hungary, Norway and Poland. Added to Denmark and of course the Swedes won't be happy about having their embassy burnt down...and added to Jordan and New Zealand where the cartoons have also been shown (and Chile who also got their Embassy destroyed)...how many friends are these Muslims making in the real world i.e. the world we live in not some fantasy they seem to live?

See no evil?

Image hosting by Photobucket


The Metropolitan Police said: "Arrests if necessary will be made at the most appropriate time. The Met has several different means of collecting the necessary evidence should it be required post-event. All complaints made to police will be passed to the Public Order Crime Unit for investigation."...I should hope so to!

I thought long and hard (no!) about posting about 'you know what'; I don't need to post links to articles because it's everywhere: every news channel, every newspaper/ website/ newsblog/ radio, even on our not so well known personal blogs...and now owsblog as well...what's the real problem and who would have seen the cartoons if there had not been so much fuss!
This may have caused more trouble:
Image hosting by Photobucket
...but I think this one is much funnier!
Image hosting by Photobucket
Some of the banners and placards carried in the protests have been quite shocking, taking Little Green Football's examples from Yahoo news here and here and the image below really make me feel uneasy...and defensive...

Image hosting by Photobucket

S.O.
P.S. Some of you may think this is all a bit out of character for me, or maybe not but either way the news is shocking!

Onward to oblivion...

Stop press: edited Monday 06/02/2006...

As far as I know blasphemy is not a crime in any European country...
rioting, burning and death threats are.

Despite many protests and boycotts across the Muslim world (including deaths now reported in Afghanistan), some or all of the cartoons have now appeared in papers in the following European countries: Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Hungary, Norway and Poland. Added to Denmark and of course the Swedes won't be happy about having their embassy burnt down...and added to Jordan and New Zealand where the cartoons have also been shown (and Chile who also got their Embassy destroyed)...how many friends are these Muslims making in the real world i.e. the world we live in not some fantasy they seem to live?

See no evil?

Image hosting by Photobucket

From the DT:

The Metropolitan Police said: "Arrests if necessary will be made at the most appropriate time. The Met has several different means of collecting the necessary evidence should it be required post-event. All complaints made to police will be passed to the Public Order Crime Unit for investigation."...I should hope so to!

I thought long and hard (no!) about posting about 'you know what'; I don't need to post links to articles because it's everywhere: every news channel, every newspaper/ website/ newsblog/ radio, even on our not so well known personal blogs...and now owsblog as well...what's the real problem and who would have seen the cartoons if there had not been so much fuss!

This may have caused more trouble:

Image hosting by Photobucket
...but I think this one is much funnier!
Image hosting by Photobucket
Some of the banners and placards carried in the protests have been quite shocking, taking lgf's examples from Yahoo news here and here and the image below really make me feel uneasy...and defensive...

Image hosting by Photobucket
S.O.
P.S. Some of you may think this is all a bit out of character for me, or maybe not but either way the news is shocking!

jueves, 2 de febrero de 2006

Ode to the Onion...

Onions
Or more accurately - as the young Chilean poets who pop in to Owsblog will know - “Oda a la Cebolla” – original version (in Spanish) here. - by Pablo Neruda
(the picture isn't him!)

Onion,
luminous flask,
your beauty formed
petal by petal,
crystal scales expanded you
and in the secrecy of the dark earth
your belly grew round with dew.
Under the earth
the miracle happened
and when your clumsy
green stem appeared,
and your leaves were born
like swords in the garden,
the earth heaped up her power
showing your naked transparency,
and as the remote sea
in lifting the breasts of Aphrodite
duplicating the magnolia,
so did the earth
make you,
onion
clear as a planet
and destined
to shine,
constant constellation,
round rose of water,
upon
the table
of the common people.
Generous
you undo
your globe of freshness
in the fervent consumation of the pot,
and the crystal shred
to the ignited heat of the oil
is transformed into curly gold pen.

Also I will remember as the love
of the salad fertilizes your influences,
and seems that the sky contributes
giving you a fine hail form
to celebrate your clarity pricked
on the hemispheres of a tomato.
But within reach
of the hands of the humbled people,
watered with oil,
dusted
with a little salt,
kill the hunger
of the day laborer in the hard footpath.

Star of the poor men,
fairy godmother
surrounded
in delicate
paper, sprout from the ground,
eternal, intact, pure
like seed of star,
and when the knife
sliced you
in the kitchen raises
the only tear without pain.
You make us
cry without hurting us.
I have praised
everything that exists,
but to me, onion, you are
more beautiful than a bird
of dazzling feathers,
for my eyes you are
heavenly globe, platinum goblet,
unmoving dance
of the snowy anemone

and the fragrance of the earth lives
in your crystalline nature.

He also wrote odes re wine, artichokes, lemons, couples, secret love and the beautiful nude, all good stuff. I thought of going on about Health and Nutrition but I think you all know that they're good for you...in fact in Spain some say, rather crudely, that "come cebolla y levanta la polla"!...but did you know that although Pablo writes "you make us cry without hurting us" what is actually happening is an enzyme attack on sulphides leading to a chemical chain reaction that ends with a mild sulphuric acid irritation? Lovely.

Onions, do you know yours? More here

S.O.

Ode to the Onion...

Onions
Or more accurately - as the young Chilean poets who pop in to Owsblog will know - “Oda a la Cebolla” – original version (in Spanish) here. - by Pablo Neruda
(the picture isn't him!)

Onion,
luminous flask,
your beauty formed
petal by petal,
crystal scales expanded you
and in the secrecy of the dark earth
your belly grew round with dew.
Under the earth
the miracle happened
and when your clumsy
green stem appeared,
and your leaves were born
like swords in the garden,
the earth heaped up her power
showing your naked transparency,
and as the remote sea
in lifting the breasts of Aphrodite
duplicating the magnolia,
so did the earth
make you,
onion
clear as a planet
and destined
to shine,
constant constellation,
round rose of water,
upon
the table
of the common people.
Generous
you undo
your globe of freshness
in the fervent consumation of the pot,
and the crystal shred
to the ignited heat of the oil
is transformed into curly gold pen.

Also I will remember as the love
of the salad fertilizes your influences,
and seems that the sky contributes
giving you a fine hail form
to celebrate your clarity pricked
on the hemispheres of a tomato.
But within reach
of the hands of the humbled people,
watered with oil,
dusted
with a little salt,
kill the hunger
of the day laborer in the hard footpath.

Star of the poor men,
fairy godmother
surrounded
in delicate
paper, sprout from the ground,
eternal, intact, pure
like seed of star,
and when the knife
sliced you
in the kitchen raises
the only tear without pain.
You make us
cry without hurting us.
I have praised
everything that exists,
but to me, onion, you are
more beautiful than a bird
of dazzling feathers,
for my eyes you are
heavenly globe, platinum goblet,
unmoving dance
of the snowy anemone

and the fragrance of the earth lives
in your crystalline nature.

He also wrote odes re wine, artichokes, lemons, couples, secret love and the beautiful nude, all good stuff. I thought of going on about Health and Nutrition but I think you all know that they're good for you...in fact in Spain some say, rather crudely, that "come cebolla y levanta la polla"!...but did you know that although Pablo writes "you make us cry without hurting us" what is actually happening is an enzyme attack on sulphides leading to a chemical chain reaction that ends with a mild sulphuric acid irritation? Lovely.

Onions, do you know yours? More here

S.O.