TheaTre Guild of Guyana
2 Times Feature Times Sunday Magazine
Berbice Shines is the Region Five and Six component of the Guyana Shines Project, an initiative started by the American, British, Canadian and European Union missions in Guyana.
The group, made up of young advocates, aims to bring together the populations of Berbice especially young people to raise awareness about issues relating to their natural environment.
Berbice Shines works with schools, organisations, government agencies, individuals, local government bodies, religious groups and other groups, whether formal or informal, so that there is a comprehensive programme to making Berbice shine –free of litter.
The group was started by Mark Ross, Abbas Hamid and Rondha LamSingh. The inspiration for the formation of the group came from the fact that the United Nations designation of the year 20102011 as International Year of Youth was not celebrated in Guyana.
Berbice Shine was officially launched in February 2011, but registered on 21 June 2013.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine , Mark Ross said that the project will be an ongoing one and volunteers, organisations and agencies can join at any time to contribute in cash, kind, labour or whatever way possible.
He added that currently the organisation has 40 registered members, ten registered organisation volunteers, but over 50 volunteers for different projects they are undertaking and a Facebook reach of over 1000 on the organisation’s group as well as Berbice Shines Project page.
“The following proj -
A group of young advocates aims to raise awareness for a litter free environment through education and community participation.
ects are currently being undertaken: Berbice Shines Environment Project; Backpack Project; Community Health, Environment and Recycling Project; Community Mercury Education and Awareness Project; Weldaad Youth Friendly Space Enhancement Project; SRH Project for girls; Zero Discrimination Campaign; Community Health Awareness Project (diabetes, breast cancer); Diamond Special Needs School Enhancement Project; Community Youth Enhancement Project for Disabled Persons; and a road safety project,” he outlined.
Berbice Shines is legally registered at 17 Public
Road, # 41 Village, West Coast Berbice, but the organisation meets at different locations.
The organisation has been able to change attitudes of students as it relates to the caring of their environment, brought about change in the way adolescents and youth think about education, promoted access to education
To date, Berbice Shine has had projects in Regions Five and Six in various communities - New Amsterdam, Weldaad, Seafield, Yeoville, Bath, and others.
Persons and organisations can contribute to any of the group’s projects. Call 621-2768 or 694-8004 for more information.
This Berbice Shine member sets the example for other youths to follow
Members cleaning walkways in Berbice
A few of Berbice Shines' members
TheaTre Guild of Guyana
Guyana’s oldest cultural institution celebrates 57 years
The Theatre Guild of Guyana has been and continues to be the nurturing ground for amateur and professional dramatic talent and productions. It has, over the years, inculcated the values of the creative industries of the spoken word, music, dance, fashion, art, culture, lighting, sound and related disciplines to thousands. Although there was a period of dormancy for nearly a decade, the ancient saying that “if you take care of the roots, the tree will survive”, holds true as far as the Theatre Guild is concerned. The Theatre Guild has had a major restoration that has resulted in a concomitant revitalisation of the dramatic art form and even a fledgling cinematographic industry.
The Theatre Guild’s role is therefore one of forging, fashioning and refining the skills of young, old, amateur or professional dramatists, dramaturges, playwrights, choreographers, film-makers, directors, producers, set designers, and the whole gamut of those who take care of the roots of culture.
Spatially located in the small, prestigious, and elegant ward of Kingston in Georgetown, the Guild is a stone’s throw from prominent hotels and embassies and across the way from premier secondary institutions. It serves a catchment area that pulls in most of the capital city within a ten-minute drive radius and is an acoustically, modern theatre space with state-ofthe-art lighting, proscenium arch, movable modular stage and over 300 seats.
The Guild has a pleasant gallery type foyer and on-site and off-street secure parking. The Theatre Guild of Guyana was established in 1957, and its playhouse was created in the early 60s.
Through its training and productions over the last 53 years, the Guild has created several figures in culture who were important to Guyana or the world beyond. For instance, Eguene Williams, who was a member of the Guild in the 1970s, is now Director of the Jamaica School of Drama, which is considered the premiere drama school of
the region. His sister Pat Liverpool has remained faithful to the theatre and was an important part of its rebuilding fund. She still serves as Guild treasurer.
Henry Mutoo, also a member of the Guild around the same time, was a founder and is now CEO of the Cayman Islands Foundation for the Arts. Malcom Defreitas, Alieen Hintzen and Enrico Woolford have all remained with the Theatre and have served on its first board since the re-opening in 2008.
Daphne Rogers , who served as costume mistress and administrator of the Guyana National Cultural Centre for over 20 years, Margaret Lawrence, CEO of Merundoi, Desiree Edgehill, CEO of Actors in Direct Support, Henry Rodney, Godfrey Naughton , Director of the Ministry of Culture’s National Drama Festival, Desiree Whyles, Director of Allied Arts, Mariatha Causeway, Theatre Manager, Simeon Dowding, Board Member and CEO of GreenHeart Children’s Theatre, Ron Robinson of the Theatre Company, Russell Lancaster, first chair of the new Guild, Aileen Hintzen, as well as Dr Paloma Mohamed, current Chair of the Guild, all began their careers in the arts at the Guild.
These are just a few of the scores of important artists spread around the world whose first place of expression was the Guild. Many of these artists maintain contact with the new Guild.
Since the massive rebuilding effort, which culminated in the rebuilding of the Theatre and its reopening in 2008, the Guild has offered training workshops for various aspects of the theatre. Workshops are conducted every Wednesday between seven and nine in the evening.
The Theatre Guild is a non–profit organisation that funds its training, performance and outreach activities through the service of volunteers, members and also through rents, receipts from performances, sales of services, and membership dues.
Funding from about 10 corporate sponsors has been
consistent and has greatly supported the work of the Guild since it reopened in 2008. These are GT&T, Republic Bank, AnsaMcAL, GBTI, Noble House, DISINCO, McCORP, Stabroek News, Citizens Bank, John Fernandes Ltd, and the Government of Guyana.
Since it reopened its door in 2008, the theatre has produced over 15 major productions, many by Guyanese writers. It has also produced over 11 new playwrights and over 100 dramatists.
The national and international importance of the Theatre Guild cannot be overstated as evidenced; however, there is an important personal dimension to the work of the Guild that often goes unrecorded. For many young people, it is their only source of positive expression, interaction, training and output.
The Theatre Guild supplies 90% of the trainers in the Ministry of Culture’s two-year-old National School of Performance and about 75% of its current students. Given the importance of this institution both nationally and internationally, there is still much to be done. However, current signs of new life are truly inspiring. Though facing many challenges, the Guild, with the help of its friends, is expecting to fulfil its role in the cultural life of Guyana for at least another 100 years. The heart of Theatre must beat on.
The Guild is staffed almost com-
Accessory
Mobile phones carry owners' bacterial 'fingerprint' Mabaruma Eminem banned from UK's Hyde Park due to 'offensive' lyrics
pletely by volunteers and fund raisers to run all its programmes. The Guild is currently accepting applications for new members and volunteers. For more information call 225-4033. (Cover photo1: Present Theatre Guild building. Cover photo 2: Dr Cheddi Jagan and GUYSUCO were integral to the founding of the Guild and they were frequent members of the audience. GUYSUCO provided many of the initial members and funding)
Famous local actor Mark Kazim during one of his dramatic performances at the Guild
Pg 12
By Matt Hallett
The rainy season is now upon us and vast changes are taking place across the landscape of the Rupununi region.
Over the course of the last three weeks, the Rupununi River has risen
over 20 feet, sending water cascading out across the region. Water now floods over the banks and into formerly dry savannah, creating the seasonal wetlands where wading birds forage for food. Creek beds and small ponds that dwindled to almost nothing in the dry season
are now filled with the rush of fresh water, opening up spawning grounds for countless species of fish. Puddles form in every depression, as the earth and roads are covered by flood waters as the rainy season changes the way that we travel and the way we live.
The drastic seasonal changes to the natural environment are an important part of the lifecycle of the thousands of species found in the Rupununi; but take just one walk in the evening you will quickly come to realize which species characterize the rainy season: frogs (in addition to mosquitoes). In and around water sources from puddles, to ponds, lakes and rivers across the Rupununi, frogs are congregating to mate. Here, female frogs will leave their delicate jelly-like eggs to develop into fully aquatic tadpoles before metamorphosing into adults who leave these breeding pools behind to repeat the cycle all over again. But finding the right pond or puddle in which to mate can be a challenge with so many to choose from. This means that, with the exception of furore music coming from a village party, evenings here are dominated by a symphony of frog calls.
As you stroll down any path in a village like ours in Yupukari, you can listen for the unique calls of each species and identify them without actually seeing
them. There is the “hom… hom…hom…hom” call of the Columbian four-eyed frog (Pleurodema brachyops), the mechanical clicks and chirps produced by the two-striped tree frog (Scinax ruber), the repetitive, high-pitched humming of the burrowing toad (Rhinella granulosa), the call of the Amazon milk frog (Phrynohyas venulosa) resembles a bow slowly being pulled back and forth across the strings of a cello. The call of the lesser tree frog which sounds like the clacking together of two marbles (Hyla minuta). Each species expertly plays their part like a musician contributing to the creation of an overall harmony characterizing the amazing diversity of the region.
Although the Rupununi is known as the land of giants, it is the presence of small species like frogs and toads that serve as an indicator of the health of our
natural environment. A combination of biology and natural history has left frogs intricately connected to their aquatic beginnings, as their slimy skin allows for gas exchange, making them especially susceptible to human impacts on the environment. As frogs across the globe face the threats posed by climate change, disease and pollution, the symphony of frog calls that can be heard on any rainy evening in the Rupununi is a signal of a healthy and thriving natural environment that we hope continues to persist long into the future.
If you would like to see more of Rupununi and what is experienced during the rainy season search for Rupununi Learners on Facebook. Of course, the best way to really experience the amazing diversity of the interior is to come and see it firsthand.
An interestingly coloured frog in the Rupununi
Gladiator frog (Hyla boans) perched on a branch near Mapari Creek
Surinamese oval frog (elachistocleis surinamensis)
Scinax ruber
Cecile Nobrega was a teacher who spearheaded a 15-year campaign for England’s first public monument to black women.
Nobrega, who died at age 94, was the driving force behind the first statue of a black woman to go on permanent display in England.
Cecile Elise Doreen Burgan was born in Guyana (then a British colony) on 1 June 1919 to Canon William Burgan and his wife Imelda; in 1949 the Canon would become the first black man to preach at Westminster Abbey.
At Bishops High School, in Guyana, Nobrega showed herself a gifted child — she had composed classical music and written poetry from an early age, and later produced a choral work called Twilight which was performed by national choirs in Guyana and Cuba.
In Guyana, she started
two schools — a kindergarten and a vocational school for teenage girls. She also wrote plays, one of which, Stabroek Fantasy (also known as Carib Gold), was particularly successful.
In 1969, however, she found herself professionally at odds with the Guyana government and emigrated to Britain, where she retrained as a specialist teacher, working in Hertfordshire and Brent. She was active in the National Union of Teachers and in the Adult Literacy Programme, and campaigned for children with severe learning difficulties.
Her work with the International Alliance of Women (IAW) and the Commonwealth Countries League gave her the opportunity to travel, and it was at IAW conferences in New York, Kenya, Greece, Japan and India that she began to shape the idea for her sculp-
ture, The Bronze Woman.
The Bronze Woman — a 10ft-tall monument to motherhood, showing a black woman holding aloft her baby — was unveiled in October 2008 in Stockwell Memorial Gardens, south London. The original artist was to have been Ian Walters, creator of the statue of Nelson Mandela in London’s Parliament Square, but he died after completing only the clay maquette. The project was taken on and completed by Aleix Barbat, then still a student
at the Heatherley School of Fine Art in Chelsea.
Nobrega — a Guyanaborn teacher, poet and playwright — had campaigned for “The Bronze Woman Project” since 1994. Although she did not describe herself as a feminist, she felt that women — particularly women from the underdeveloped world and those descended from the victims of the transatlantic slave trade — received insufficient recognition for their contribution to the family and to society in general.
She launched the project as a charitable organisation and set about raising the money needed, subsequently enlisting the help of an organisation called Olmec, originally set up as a charitable subsidiary of a south London housing association.
The unveiling of the statue, on 8 October 2008, came shortly after the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Slave Trade, and the 60th anniversary of the arrival at Tilbury of the first Caribbean immigrants in the steamship
Empire Windrush.
A resident of Lambeth, south London, for her last 22 years, Nobrega slowed down towards the end of her life, giving up driving, her computer, and playing the piano; but she remained active in her local pensioners’ group and in tai chi classes.
Her husband of 52 years, Romeo Nobrega, an accountant, died in 1994, and she is survived by their two sons and one daughter.
Cecile Nobrega died on 19 November 2013.
'The Bronze Woman'
The late Cecile Nobrega
By PetamBer Persaud
Cont’d from last week
Extract of an interview with Colin Babb, June 2014, Georgetown, Guyana. Babb is the author of “They gave the crowd plenty fun”. He has worked as a journalist for the BBC and as a radio and online content producer.
PP: Some publishing houses were birthed from those very issues like New Beacon Books, BogleL’ouverture Publications and Hansib Publications, giving the minorities a voice.
CB: I can talk about Hansib which was set up in 1970 by Arif Ali who is Guyanese.
PP: Hansib has produced numerous books on cricket by Clem Seecharan and Frank Birbalsingh who are also Guyanese.
PP: You said earlier that you are doing another book on cricket.
CB: What I’m actually doing is a revised edition of “They gave the crowd plenty fun”, which in my opinion will be bigger and better because it will include more interviews, more stories. The book is not just about cricket, it’s about me growing up in Britain, my experiences with cricket and telling that story. A lot of it is about fun, it not about the serious, sociological nature of cricket, or
the shaping of guyanese literature
implication for the sport, it’s about me having fun with cricket and the joy of cricket and how that joy connects with the community.
The new edition will include an interview I just did with Basil Butcher, here in Guyana; we had a real-real gaff, as you would say. I also spoke at length with Lance Gibbs, Tony Cozier, Dicky Bird, so I am not taking to and about West Indian, I am talking to people who have a connection to West Indian cricket whether they are umpires, writers, players, commentators, and fans PP: They all bring something to the table.
CB: I’ve also spoken to English fans in England and to find out what they thought when the West Indies was playing there –about the atmosphere and the noise because when the West Indies was playing
there it was a different atmosphere from what the English fans were used to in terms of the chants, and the shouting and the type of foods they brought into the stadiums which is why the West Indians came to matches in England because they can recreate a sense of being West Indian in a cricket ground.
PP: And that’s the essence of your book – cricket giving the people plenty fun.
Let’s now close this book by starting from the top. The table of contents is divided into three parts namely ‘The Origins of West Indian Cricket’, ‘The Rise of West Indian Cricket Dominance’ and ‘The Decline of West Indian Cricket Dominance’...
CB: Yes, this book is split into three parts but the next book will be expanded, there will be more chap-
ters, it will be more diverse, for instance, I talk about how cricket has not regained that hold on the West Indian community in Britain, and there are many reasons for that, I can’t list them all but I will just focus on the more important ones...
PP: A quick summary will suffice.
CB: I think the results haven’t helped in the last 20/30 years especially in the test matches, the results produced by the West Indian team have been disappointing but there had been some success in the shorter formats of the game like the 20/20 World Cup win in Sri Lanka. This leads to another question of whether the West Indian would be more successful in the limited overs cricket and not test cricket and how that plays out in the diaspora.
Also we have a situation not only in Britain but also in Canada and America where there are people of West Indian heritage but they are second, third, fourth, fifth generation so their connection with the West Indies is rather limited. So when the West Indies come now to England, it doesn’t really connect to the current generation as it did in the past...
Additional, the current generation looks to other sports for their thrills and spills. Like soccer and athletics...
PP: So one of the reasons for the decline of the popularity of West Indian cricket can be found in the rise of their supporters’ interest in other sports...
Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com
What’s Happening:
You are invited to repeat performances of ‘Expressions’ – a new forum for poetry on Thursday, July 10, at Theatre Guild, school show at 1pm, public show at 8pm. ‘Expressions’ is a Gems Theatre Production.
Colin Babb
Aiming to keep the rock genre alive in Guyana is the mission of the Project X band. The rock band was formed in September 2013, after three of its members - Vanderson Alencar, Andre Rahaman and Nicholas Chung - met at a friend's BBQ to discuss forming a side project that was different from their present bands - Et Tu Brutus, StruckRoot and Feed The Flames. The line-up was completed when Andre asked Neil Ramdial to consider filling the vocal duties a few days later, which he agreed to after their first rehearsal one week later. The band members are: Neil Ramdial, vocals; Vanderson Alencar, guitar; Andre Rahaman, bass; and Nicholas Chung, drums. Project X focuses mostly on heavy metal, classic rock and alternative rock genres. Its repertoire includes songs by international rock bands: Nirvana, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, System Of A Down, Creed, Seether, Rage Against The Machine, Guns N' Roses, Hinder, Papa Roach, Black Sabbath, Ramstein, Manowar, and many other popular rock and metal acts. The band’s first performance was at ‘D Alternative Party 2’ at Butcher's Bar in October of last year, since then Project X has played several monthly gigs at Niall's Bar, Diamond New Scheme. The response to the band’s performances has been massive. At their last show, the venue was filled to capacity. To show their appreciation, the band has held several ‘free’ shows in the past and will continue to do so whenever Project X hosts future gigs at Niall's Bar. The band has also taken their music out of Guyana to share with others. This they did when they put on an electrifying performance in Suriname at heavy metal band Morrigan’s 10th anniversary show in Paramaribo, November 2013. The ever-growing local rock scene has provided Project X an opportunity to fill a void that existed with the lack of regular gigs by local bands. Its goal is to fulfil the “hunger that local rock fans crave for though monthly high intensity live shows and recordings”. The band’s future plans are writing and recording original material by the end of 2014; performing in Brazil, Trinidad and other neighbouring countries. For those who would like to check out the lyrical musing of Project X can do so on 4 July at Palm Court, where they will be opening for Trinidadian rock band Black Rose, and at Butcher's Bar on 12 July. Tickets for 12 July show are available at Butcher's Bar, 25 Middleton St. C/Ville or call 699-1299. For more info on the band, visit Project X Band on Facebook.
Bonita Marissa Lowden Executive Director
As a child, Marissa envisioned herself becoming a “grand humanitarian who would somehow rescue the world from all of its ills”. Although the road has led her down to other career paths, that dream still remains alive and Marissa is adamant to continue to seek to fulfil it in any way she can.
Marissa attained her secondary education at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School. Subsequently, she moved on to read for her Bachelor of Science Degree in International Relations from the University of Guyana (2008) and thereafter, pursued a Master of Science Degree in Global Studies from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (2011).
She joined the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry in May 2012 in the capacity of Advocacy and Research Officer, but today she now serves as the Executive Director. This post holds a key leadership position in the Chamber. Under the authority of the Council, the Executive Director assumes complete responsibility for carrying out assigned policies and regulations. Additionally, the Executive Director is responsible for running the day to day chamber business and the full range of activities of the Chamber, organisational structure and procedures, employment, training and direct supervision of staff, coordination of volunteers, income and expenditures, membership services and retention, interpretation of policy, and maintenance of facilities.
Prior to joining the Chamber, Marissa attained a range of work experience while working with other organisations, which has moulded her into a strong and well-rounded individual today. The professional also possesses training in the areas of Conflict Management, Project Management, Gender Sensitization, Family Planning, Advocacy and Community Mobilization, and Project Proposal Writing.
One of her major achievements is the publication of her Master of Science Thesis titled, “Climate Change and its
Implications on Guyana’s Foreign Policy” by the University of West Indies, St. Augustine, in a book titled “Selected Essays on Contemporary Caribbean issues: An International Relations Perspective”.
This young professional believes that “climbing the ladder to success requires persistence, hard work and a strong mind”, traits she learnt early by observing her parents, other notable individuals, participating in youth activities, and volunteering her time towards various causes.
The Executive Director credits her parents for her success. Also, she is grateful to her many teachers and lecturers who have shared their knowledge and nurtured her while she was in school so that she could become the responsible and independent individual that she is today. Additionally, she is thankful to those who have supported and guided her throughout her career, education and self-development, notably, her boyfriend, Tariq Williams, and my dearest friend and role model, Clinton Urling.
“My future goals are to continue to be persistent, never
settle, aim for excellence, live an honest life and build my empire. I will seek to do so in such a way that gives back to the society. Too many things are wrong in our society and these ills are responsible for fuelling my drive to make a change. Even if I am not successful, the mere effort to do will help me sleep better at nights. I may not be the most patriotic person but I owe my nation and the future generation that much,” she declared in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine
She went on to say, “The youths are the now and future of this nation. Every citizen, including youths, has a right to express their views and to have them taken into account in all matters that affects us. Youth activism and participation in public policy discourse are critical to the creation of the Guyana we want for tomorrow. We can no longer sit back and relax and be comfortable with a minority pronouncing on our behalf, we must build the courage to challenge our leaders and the status quo, especially, when some things are just wrong. We must stop being passive in our behaviour and instead be proactive and think critically in all that we do and truly examine if our current framework supports us and creates a society which will be beneficial to our families, friends, ourselves and our nation. We are societal actors with a wide range of skills and capacities and we are selling ourselves short by not becoming actively involved in public policy discourse. I urge you to take up the mantle and step up to the plate, your future depends on the actions you make today and the future you build for yourself. We should view ourselves and be viewed by our policy makers as partners in developing solutions to common concerns. National policymaking is shaping the future of this country and we have to participate in the process that creates our future. My sisters and brothers, let us hold hands and become actively involved in the development of our country, let us help to create an environment that benefits all! National dialogue includes us too!”
Colouring Fun
There are so many things out there that we deal with or see every day, but have no idea what they are called. Here are a few:
1. Tittle - The dot over an ‘i’ or ‘j’.
2. Lunule - The white, crescent shaped part at the top of a nai.
3. Crepuscular rays - Rays of sunlight coming from a certain point in the sky. It is also known as “God’s rays”.
4. Ferrule - The metal part on a pencil.
5. Muntin - The strip separating window panes.
6. Morton’s toe - When your second toe is bigger than your big toe.
7. Arms akimbo - When you place your hands on your hips with your elbows turned outward.
The olive ridley turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea, is named for the generally greenish colour of its skin and shell, or carapace. It is closely related to the Kemp’s ridley, with the primary distinction being that olive ridleys are found only in warmer waters, including the southern Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Olive and Kemp’s ridleys are the smallest of the sea turtles, weighing up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms) and reaching only about 2 feet (65 centimeters) in shell length. The olive ridley has a slightly smaller head and smaller shell than the Kemp’s.
These turtles are solitary, preferring the open ocean. They migrate hundreds or even thousands of miles every year, and come together as a group only once a year for the arribada, when females return to the beaches where they hatched and lumber onshore, sometimes in the thousands, to nest.
Olive ridleys have nesting sites all over the world, on tropical and subtropical beaches. During nesting, they use the wind and the tide to help them reach the beach. Females lay about a hundred eggs, but may nest up to three times a year. The nesting season is from June to December.
Did you know?
Male olive ridleys can be distinguished from females by their tails, which stick out beyond their carapace.
The olive ridley is mostly carnivorous, feeding on such creatures as jellyfish, snails, crabs, and shrimp. They will occasionally eat algae and seaweed as well. Hatchlings, most of which perish before reaching the ocean, are preyed on by crabs, raccoons, pigs, snakes, and birds, among others. Adults are often taken by sharks.
Though the olive ridley is widely considered the most abundant of the marine turtles, by all estimates, it is in trouble. Rough estimates put the worldwide population of nesting females at about 800,000, but its numbers, particularly in the western Atlantic, have declined precipitously. The United States lists the western Atlantic population of olive ridleys as endangered and all other populations as threatened. Many governments have protections for olive ridleys, but still, eggs are taken and nesting females are slaughtered for their meat and skin. Fishing nets also take a large toll, frequently snagging and drowning these turtles.
Crepuscular rays
8. Phosphenes - The lights you see when you close your eyes and press your hands to them.
The objective of the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game with the correct numbers. Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.
9. Peen - The side opposite the hammer’s striking side.
10. Petrichor - The way it smells outside after rain.
PEACOCKS
There are three species of peafowl: the Indian or blue peafowl, the green peafowl and the rare Congo peafowl. The peafowl is a close relative of the pheasant. Used correctly, the word “peacock” refers only to the male peafowl. A female is called a peahen, and babies are peachicks.
Did you know?
• Peafowl live an average of 15 to 20 years.
• The peafowl is one of the largest flying birds in the world.
• Peafowl roost in trees.
• Peafowl nod their heads when walking.
Where in the world
Indian peafowl live in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Green “jungle” peafowl are found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar. Congo peafowl live in Africa.
In a word
A group of peafowl is called a party or a pride. A family of peafowl is called a bevy. The Indian peafowl is the national bird of India and is a protected species in that country. In the Hindu religion, the peafowl is a sacred bird. The green peafowl is a national and historic symbol in Burma.
Dinner time
Peafowl eat grains, snails, frogs, insects, small mammals, berries, grasses, bulbs and sometimes farmers’ crops.
Fancy feathers
The Indian peacock has about 150 long, colorful tail feathers, each with a distinctive eye. The birds are not killed for their feathers; these are collected annually when the birds molt and shed the feathers naturally. The iridescent color of the peacock feather is due to a phenomenon known as interference
of
is one of the
different angles.
Bringing up baby
In the wild, the peahen builds her nest and raises her young with no help from the male.* She digs a shallow hollow in the ground and lines it with sticks, leaves and grasses. She lays three to eight light green or tan eggs. The eggs are incubated for 28 to 30 days. Immediately after hatching, peachicks are able to walk and follow their mother on foraging trips. But until they can fly (at around 2 weeks old), they are very vulnerable to predators. It is estimated that only two of every six chicks born will survive to adulthood.
The distinctive crest develops at 4 weeks of age. At 2 months, both sexes resemble the mother (just smaller). It is not until their second year that the males achieve their mature coloring.
*In captivity, males have been known to assist nest defense and chick rearing.
Mating season
Male peafowl are polygamous and mate with several females.
The male peafowl is famous for its mating displays, which consist of several loud, distinct mating calls, the fanning of its tail feathers and a repetitive dance. Females favor large, colorful mates with impressive tail feathers. White peacocks rarely find mates.
The expression “proud as a peacock” is based on the mating displays of this bird.
Reflection
light causes the feathers to shimmer and change color when viewed from
Peacocks have inspired many artists.
Green peafowl flying
The Indian Peafowl, with its iridescent, bright blue feathers, is often seen in parks and zoos around the world. In the wild, it is found in India and Sri Lanka. The peacock spreads and displays his large, colorful tail when trying to attract a mate and sometimes just to show off.
The long tail of the adult male is called a train and can reach 6 feet (1.8 m) long!
The female green peafowl is not as drab as the female Indian peafowl. Her colors are similar to her mate’s, but not quite as bright, and she does not have the long, fancy tail.
Green peafowl male
Green peafowl female
The Indian peacock has blue feathers on its head and neck, while the green peafowl has green feathers.
The female Indian peafowl has a mottled gray brown color that blends well into bushes. This helps to hide her when nesting.
Indian peafowl male
The peafowl
largest flying birds in the world. Despite the long tail, it flies very well. The green peafowl can sustain flight for long distances and is known to have complex flight patterns. The Indian peafowl is not as strong a flier.
The green peafowl, also known as the Java peafowl, is listed as endangered due to hunting and habitat loss.
Congo peafowl female
Congo peafowl male
Indian peahen Indian peachick
Shaft Eye
Barb
Flue
Barbule
Indian peafowl have been domesticated for about 3,000 years.
The Congo peafowl is a shy and rare bird. It is listed as threatened due to hunting and habitat loss.
Times Fashion
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A simple black band is a far less dicey way of looking on trend.
Blowout insurance
A cotton band absorbs sweat, keeping strands fresh no matter how long you perch in that firefly pose.
The technique: Flat-iron hair and pull it into a low pony. Then position a stretchy black cotton headband right at the edge of the hairline. Spritz hair behind the band with a lightweight shine spray.
The key tip: Cover the tops of your ears, especially if they have some wingspan.
The reality check: This style can be a bit severe, so you may want to tweak your technique if you have a full face or a strong nose, chin, or jaw. The fix: Let more hair show in front of the band—think soft, sideswept bangs— and allow a few pieces to hang in front of your touch those strands with a curling iron.
The secret trick
Never underestimate the versatility of old black tights. If you have thick hair, cut a larger section and fold in half to make the band stronger.
Everyyear, women get to experience the rush and enthusiasm that comes with shopping for new pieces to add to their wardrobe. But the greatest joy in shopping that most women relish is the hunt for fabulous new shoes. From feminine floral prints and classic white pumps to playful polka dots and sexy laser cuts, featured here are the top five shoe trends for 2014.
Polka Dot Shoes
Eternally thought of as one of the most adorable and sweet prints around, polka dot shoes have made a welcome comeback for 2014. Whether you coordinate them with a monochromatic outfit, or decide to be daring by pairing polka dot shoes with a bold, colourful ensemble, this cute shoe trend is definitely worth playing with.
Pink Shoes
From romantic blush tones to vibrant fuchsia, pink shoes are one of the most feminine 2014 shoe trends to hit the scene. Coming in a wide variety of materials (from suede to patent leather), pink shoes are the ultimate way to add a girlish touch to any outfit.
White Shoes
Always in style, white shoes are stepping out in a major way. As one of the best 2014 shoe trends, white shoes are the perfect complement to a number of this year’s best fashion statements.
Floral Shoes
This year, style is in full bloom. From comfortable flats to sexy heeled sandals, floral shoes are one of the most popular 2014 shoe trends to hit the market.
Laser Cut Shoes
When you want to spice up an outfit, opt for a pair of visually-intriguing laser cut shoes. These statementworthy pieces add a splash of pizazz to any ensemble, and make a simple outfit come to life.
Jana Kramer
Jana Kramer is an American actress and country music singer. She is best known for her role as Alex Dupre on the television series ‘One Tree Hill’. Kramer began a country music career in 2012 with the single ‘Why Ya Wanna’, from her self-titled debut album for Elektra Records. In 2002, Kramer made her acting debut in the low-budget independent horror film ‘Dead/Undead’. The following year Kramer guest appeared on ‘All My Children’ which marked Kramer's television debut. Kramer has since continued to appear in a number of television shows such as ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’, ‘Grey's Anatomy’, ‘Private Practice’ and ‘CSI: NY’. She has also had small supporting roles in films such as ‘Click’, ‘Prom Night’ and ‘Spring Breakdown’.
Times Hollywood
Eminem's lyrical contents are indeed the reason why he was banned from playing a gig at U.K.'s Hyde Park. According to a new document obtained by The Daily Mirror, bosses at Royal Parks who run the Hyde Park decided not to have the rapper perform because they worried his songs would upset other park users.
"This artist flagged risks across the board. In particular in respect of our public reputation," said Royal Parks CEO Linda Lennon. "The nature of any act with potential for lyrics to be deemed offensive and/or unsuitable language being audible within the park as a whole, let alone the surrounding residential areas, is unacceptable."
London Mayor Boris Johnson's office said they were not involved in the decision to stop Eminem from performing at Hyde Park. They explained they didn't know who Eminem was and they couldn't do anything about Royal Parks' decision.
Eminem's Hyde Park gig was supposed to be a part of AEG's Barclaycard British Summer Time festival that's scheduled to open on July 3. Last month, rumors swirled claiming that the Detroit MC wasn't allowed to perform at the event because his lyrics "have been accused of being homophobic, provocative and pretty sweary." The festival is now set to continue with Arcade Fire, Black Sabbath and Neil Young among musicians who will take the stage.
After receiving the ruling, AEG's Jim King said, "I don't want to split hairs but I do question how easy it is for any offensive lyrics to be heard and actually understood outside of our event site." He also added that he was not "aware of any other case whereby he has been prevented from performing in the U.K."
Meanwhile, Eminem will still head to the U.K. next month for his shows at Wembley Stadium. The twoday concert will take place on July 11-12. (AceShowbiz)
Aman who broke into Sanaa Lathan's house earlier this month reportedly has pleaded guilty to criminal trespassing. According to TMZ, the man named Shawn Caples was ordered to psychiatric counseling for one year on Thursday, June 26.
During the Thursday court meeting, he was also sentenced to three years of probation. The 28-year-old man additionally will have to stay away from the "Love & Basketball" star and her property for the next three years.
Caples broke into Lathan's house
on Friday, June 13. Back then, he was found by contractors who worked at her home sleeping in her laundry room. Caples, who said that he was Lathan's husband, was asked to leave. However, he later reappeared at the property. The "Alien vs. Predator" actress reportedly yelled at him, "Get the f*** out of here," and called the police when Caples didn't budge.
Following the incident, Lathan filed restraining order against the intruder. In her filing, she reportedly said that she hid when Caples went to her house again three days later. (AceShowbiz)
Justin Bieber sued for allegedly hitting man with Ferrari
No stranger to summonses,
Justin Bieber is now at the center of a personal injury lawsuit claiming that he struck pedestrian Walter Damon Lee with his Ferrari as he departed West Hollywood's Laugh Factory in June 2013. Lee is seeking more than $25,000 for property damage and personal injury, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The lawsuit claims that the thenteenaged pop star "negligently, carelessly, recklessly, wantonly and unlawfully" hit Lee with his Ferrari. Subsequently, the pedestrian sought medical treatment for laceration, "crush injury," hematoma, deep abrasions and fluid collection in his left knee and leg and deep venous thrombosis in his calf and ankle. The court papers say Lee will continue to need treatment for his injuries. Beyond his injuries, Lee alleged, via attorney, that
his client has not been able to work since the collision and might not be able to work for the near future.
Earlier this year, Bieber and a Ferrari, driven by his friend, were central to charges of DUI and resisting arrest, the latter of which was demonstrated in his expletive-filled police report. This year, he's also faced legal scrutiny for an alleged egging, turned himself in for allegedly assaulting a limo driver and faced since-dismissed charges that he attempted to rob a woman of her cell phone.
Subsequently, Judge Judy has called him "a fool," Miley Cyrus has recommended he pay people to keep him out of trouble and hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens mounted a petition to have the Canadian pop star deported. One man who has come to Bieber's defense in the public is beleaguered Toronto mayor Rob Ford, who
Shia LaBeouf escorted out of show in handcuffs
It’s the barbs vs. the army! Nicki is reportedly extremely annoyed with Rihanna after she broke Drake’s heart — and she’s ready to approach her about it.
No one messes with Drake — at least that’s how Nicki Minaj feels. At Summer Jam, Nicki danced all over Drake right in front of Rihanna, but the girls seemed to still be friends hanging back stage. However, a new report claims that Nicki’s sick of Rihanna’s attitude and the way she treated Drake, the man she recently said she’d want to marry!
Shia LaBeouf has landed himself in trouble. The actor was led out of Broadway's "Cabaret" performance, starring Alan Cumming and Michelle Williams, on Thursday evening, June 26. As reported by ABC News, LaBeouf was engaged in disruptive behavior and was smoking inside the theater. Police said he refused to leave and then threatened the officers and people on the sidewalk outside.
Broadway World reported similar info, saying that some audience members claimed that the former "Transformers" star was being "extremely disruptive" during the first act. He reportedly was in tears when being escorted out of Studio 54 in handcuffs during intermission.
Tony nominee Benj Pasek wrote
about the incident on Twitter. "Just saw Shia LaBeouf in handcuffs in tears surrounded by 6 police officers outside of CABARET the musical," he tweeted.
LaBeouf is currently placed in custody in Midtown North police station. He was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct and one count of criminal trespassing. Representative for the 28-year-old actor has not responded to requests for comment.
Last year, LaBeouf made headlines with plagiarism scandal. Earlier this year, he appeared at film events wearing a paper bag on his head with a message which read, "I'm Not Famous Anymore." A few days later, he followed it up with an art installation "#IAMSORRY" in Los Angeles.
(AceShowbiz)
“Drake has been pretty down since Rihanna dumped him,” a source revealed to OK! magazine. “She really broke his heart. Nicki wants to call Rihanna out on it. She’s very protective of Drake.”
Protective — and maybe a little more. Nicki and
Drake have had flings over the years, and she even said that she and Drake will “run away” and “get married” one day. However, Drake has been on-again off-again with Rihanna for years, too!
“Nicki thinks Rihanna needs to step down from her
pedestal,” the source added. This comes as a bit of a surprise to us since after watching Nicki jump into Drake’s arms on stage, Rihanna cozied up to her backstage at Summer Jam and they even posted a pic together!
So will Nicki and Rihanna go head-to-head? We’re not so sure. In the same interview that she said she wanted to marry Drake, she complimented the “Diamonds” singer.
“She fondled me at the MTV Awards and the America Music Awards,” Nicki told i-D. “I love her. She’s the best fondler ever.” (Hollywood Life)
said, "He's 19 years old, guys." (Yahoo)
atin Suri is a Bollywood actor born in Himachal Pradesh, India. His most recent appearance in films is in ‘Heropanti’. Coming from a small town, Suri always aspired to be an actor. His acting career started with plays. He has performed at Shimla's historic Gaiety Theatre and Chandigarh's Tagore Theatre. But his heart was the big screen. Consequently, he moved to Mumbai where he joined an acting institute and later honed his skills under the tutelage of Hollywood actor Rob Reece. Suri had a good run at the box office after delivering two back-toback hits: ‘Yaariyan’ and ‘Heropanti’.
Bollywood
Alia Bhatt proposes to Varun Dhawan
Alia Bhatt had a surprise up her sleeve at a recent award show, where she and Varun Dhawan were promoting their upcoming film, “Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania”.
While he brought the house down with his live performance to the party number Saturday Saturday, she too matched steps with him. They also showed their crackling chemistry as they slow-danced on their movie's other track, Samjhawan.
But the highlight of the event, which will also be aired on television, was when the actress went down on her knees and proposed to her co-star on stage, in
Govinda’s daughter Narmmadaa to make film debut
The latest to join the Bollywood star-kids' brigade is Govinda's daughter Narmmadaa.
It's confirmed that the youngster will be launched opposite Punjabi superstar Gippy Grewal in filmmaker Smeep Kang's forthcoming Hindi film. The untitled project will mark the Hindi film debut of the actor and director as well.
For those unaware, Gippy has sung the foot-
tapping popular number Angreji Beat with Yo Yo Honey Singh. The track was used in Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone's “Cocktail”.
Back from the London Film Institute, Narmmadaa is all geared up for her big debut. Interestingly, her film will be a comedy, a genre her father excels in. The film will go on floors by the end of August. (Times of India)
‘Dhoom 3’ to release in 400 cities in China
Uday Chopra has revealed that “Dhoom 3” is to get a wide-scale release in China.
The third instalment in the action film franchise previously released in India, the Middle East, the US, the UK, Australia and New Zealand at the end of 2013.
The 41-year-old also shared a new movie poster specifically created for the Chinese market.
Also starring Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif and Abhishek Bachchan, “Dhoom 3” will be the widest release ever for an Indian film in China.
Chopra - who co-produced “Grace of Monaco”- previously revealed that he plans to quit acting after the fourth “Dhoom” movie. (Digital Spy)
Salman Khan creates job site for fans
Salman Khan is endeavouring to help his fans find employment through his new site beinghumanworkshop.com
The actor, who has been committed to supporting charitable causes through his BeingHuman Foundation, said he wanted to provide opportunities for people who approached him for work.
The 48-year-old clarified, however, that the jobs on offer do not involve working with him, but are for a variety of different companies.
The Kick star, who opened his flagship BeingHuman store in India in January, said his charity will be bigger than him.
Khan, who has staged charity fash-
ion shows featuring his celebrity friends to raise funds for BeingHuman, said he also plans to open restaurants and hospitals. (Digital Spy)
Shah Rukh Khan's driver arrested on charges of rape
Shah Rukh Khan's driver has been arrested for allegedly raping a girl who is believed to be a minor.
Rajendrakumar Gautam was arrested for the alleged attack on a young girl who
works at actress Sangeeta Bijlani's house, an official from Bandra police station reported.
"The case was registered here on Wednesday evening and the investigation is going on. At the moment, we are not allowed to talk about the case as the investigation department is looking after it," the official told IANS.
"We are also checking the victim's date of birth certificate to check if she is still a minor or not."
Driver Rajendrakumar's alias Pintu Mishra, 34, is believed to have arranged to meet the 17-year-old at a hotel on the pretext of offering her a job, when he allegedly raped her.
Shah Rukh has not commented on the matter. (Digital Spy)
Madhuri Dixit promotes women's health in rural India
Madhuri Dixit has launched a health campaign aimed at newborn children and their mothers.
Working with UNICEF, the actress travelled to Madhya Pradesh to raise awareness on health issues in rural India.
"I understand that this campaign is about communicating simple lifesaving messages to all caregivers, and parents with love, respect and protection," said the veteran star.
"Everyone needs to understand that most maternal and neonatal deaths can be prevented through proven and simple interventions which are part of this campaign."
Dixit returned to acting in 2007 after taking a career break to raise her two children with her husband in Denver.
The actress was last seen on-screen opposite Juhi Chawla earlier this year in “Gulaab Gang”. (Digital Spy)
front of the live audience.
This impromptu act had everyone cheering for her.
Produced by Karan
Johar, “Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania” is Varun and Alia's second outing together. (Hindustan Times)
Foods for a HeartHealthy Eating Plan
Bake Your Catch
How you cook your fish makes a big difference to your heart. Bake it or grill it instead of frying to cut down on arteryclogging saturated fat. Compared with fried fish, you'll save about 70 calories and half the saturated fat per serving.
Go Greek (Yogurt), Instead of Mayo
Replace fatty mayo with nonfat Greek yogurt in your tuna or chicken salad, says dietician and chef Katie Cavuto Boyle. Or spread one tablespoon of this thick, tangy yogurt on a lean turkey sandwich piled high with veggies. You'll swap out fat calories -- and take in a little extra protein and calcium.
Bake With Flaxseeds
Whip up muffins, quick breads, pancakes, cookies, and even chocolate cake with flaxseeds instead of eggs. To substitute for one large egg, stir 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds plus 1/8 teaspoon of baking powder in 3 tablespoons of water. You'll add fiber and avoid the cholesterol found in egg yolk. Both changes can help in keeping your cholesterol levels under control.
Slim the Cheese in a Casserole
Switch to low fat cheese and you'll cut out 9 grams of saturated fat per serving. That's a big help when you're trying to stay under 16-grams per day for heart health. Low-fat ground turkey breast is a heart-wise switch for fatty ground beef.
Pick Healthier Fruit
Fruit has it all -- lots of fiber, not many calories, and it's good for your weight and blood pressure. Go natural, though -- skip fruit that's canned in syrup. Even a cup of peaches in "light" syrup has 33 grams of sugar. That's like having a bowl full of fresh, juicy peach slices with a mini candy bar on the side.
Cream Cheese? Whip It Good!
Cream cheese can still grace your morning whole-wheat bagel. Reach for the whipped type in the dairy case. You can save about half the calories and saturated fat. Compare: One popular brand has 100 calories in two tablespoons. The saturated
fat hits 6 grams -- that's a third of your daily limit before lunchtime! The whipped version has half the saturated fat and 60 calories.
Don't Squeeze That Orange!
Orange juice and breakfast just seem to go together. But if you want a citrus kick, you're better off getting it from an actual orange. A cup of orange juice fills your glass with about 21 grams of sugar and almost no fiber. A large orange has a little less sugar -- about 17 grams -- but more than six times the heart-healthy fiber.
Gobble Turkey Sausage
Shop smart at the grocery store. Lowfat turkey sausage instead of pork or beef sausage will do your heart good. Simmer it with fiber-rich beans and veggies. At breakfast, three links of lean turkey sausage adds up to just 1.5 grams of saturated fat. A similar pork sausage has three times as much unhealthy saturated fat.
Chill Out With Fruit
Does ice cream top your list of comfort foods? Cool off instead with ½ cup of juicy, frozen blueberries topped with a creamy dollop of nonfat yogurt. This sweet dessert has almost no saturated fat, compared with 14 grams in some premium ice creams studded with rich extras. You slash the calories and sugar too -- a bonus if you're watching your weight.
Make Your Own Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a classic choice to help lower cholesterol, thanks to its soluble fiber. But a packet of instant raisin and spice oatmeal can be loaded with 15 grams (three teaspoons!) of sugar. Make oatmeal with real oats instead. Add a sprinkle of raisins and a dash of cinnamon for only about 9 grams of sugar. It takes longer but it can make a big difference for your weight and your heart. (WebMD)
Times Healthy Living
Mobile phones carry owners' bacterial 'fingerprint'
Smartphones reflect the personal microbial world of their owners, say US scientists.
More than 80% of the common bacteria that make up our personal bacterial "fingerprints" end up on their screens, a study suggests.
Personal possessions, such as phones, might be useful for tracking the spread of bacteria, they report in PeerJ.
They reflect our microbiome - the trillions of different micro-organisms that live in and on our bodies.
Mobile phone users have been found to touch their devices on average 150 times a day.
Scientists have found an overlap between the collection of micro-organisms naturally present on our bodies and those on the screens of smartphones.
They say this could one day be used to track people's exposure to bacteria.
In the study, biologists from the University of Oregon sequenced the DNA of microbes found on the index fingers and thumbs of 17
people.
They also took swabs of the subjects' smartphones.
A total of 7,000 different types of bacteria were found in 51 samples.
Proof-of-concept
On average, 22% of bacterial families overlapped on fingers and phones.
Some 82% of the most common bacteria present on participants' fingers were also found on their phones.
They included three families that are commonly found on the skin or in the mouth - Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium
Men and women both shared bacteria with their phones, but the connection was stronger in women.
Lead researcher Dr James Meadow said while the sample size was small, the findings were "revealing".
"This project was a proofof-concept to see if our favourite and most closely held possessions microbially resemble us," he said.
"We are ultimately interested in the possibility of us-
ing personal effects as a noninvasive way to monitor our health and our contact with the surrounding environment."
The researchers say there is no evidence that mobile phones present any more infection risk than any other possession.
But they say our phones might one day be used to study whether people have been exposed to certain bacteria, particularly healthcare workers.
Emotional connection
The study confirms that "we share more than an emotional connection with our phones - they carry our personal microbiome", Dr Meadow added.
There is increasing scientific interest in the human microbiome - the population of trillions of micro-organisms that live in our gut, mouth, skin and elsewhere on our bodies.
Bacteria can be harmful but they can also have beneficial effects, particularly in the gut, by digesting food and making essential nutrients and vitamins. (BBC)
Home & Cooking
Soursop Milkshake
Budget-friendly
Method:
Place soursop pulp, vanilla ice cream, milk and condensed milk in a blender and blend until smooth. Add a pinch of nutmeg and mix.
Pour into a glass and sprinkle a bit of nutmeg on top. Enjoy! Adjust the amount of condensed according to your liking.
Coconut Shortbread
Method:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line 13×9-inch baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Grease foil; set aside.
Beat butter and sugar in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Blend in vanilla. Gradually add flour, beating on low speed after each addition until blended. Stir in coconut; press evenly onto bottom of prepared pan.
Pierce with fork at 1-inch intervals all the way through to bottom of pan.
Bake 20 to 25 min. or until lightly browned. Cool in pan 5 min. Run
small knife around edges of pan to loosen dessert. Lift dessert from pan, using foil handles. Cut warm shortbread into 32 bars with sharp knife. Cool completely. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.
GREATEST COOKING TIPS
WAdd
Want
For a creamy pasta
that doesn't require a ton of butter or cheese, toss a roomtemperature beaten egg with the hot pasta and a little of the boiling pasta water and stir like crazy (the heat should kill any bacteria).
Mash bananas inside their peels using your hands. It's quick and easy, and it doesn't make a big mess.
HOME HELP
Tackling stains around the home is an almost daily chore. Don’t let stains ruin a favourite item.
Coffee: Pre-soak the stain in a solution of 1 quart water, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon laundry detergent.
Grass: Either soak grass stains in full-strength white vinegar or brush non-gel, nonwhitening toothpaste directly on the stain.
Gravy: Cover the stain with baking soda, cornstarch, flour, or salt, all of which soak up grease. After brushing the substance off, pour liquid laundry detergent and hot water directly onto the stain.
Ring around the collar: Rub shampoo containing ammonium lauryl sulphate (an ingredient that cuts through oil) directly onto the stain with your finger or a toothbrush. Let sit for 25–30 minutes before washing the shirt.
When you curtail a word, you remove the last letter and still have a valid word. You will be given clues for the two words, longer word first. Example: Begin
Writing
The Fighting Rooster
There once was a man who wanted his fighting rooster to be more ferocious. He took the rooster to a trainer. In a few weeks' time he returned and saw that his rooster didn't squawk as loudly.
"Not ready yet," said the trainer. Two weeks later he saw that his rooster barely raised his neck feathers and wings.
Atalkative turtle overheard two hunters say that they were planning to catch turtles the very next day. When the hunters left, the turtle asked two cranes to help him escape. "Beautiful white birds," he said, "if you hold a long stick between your beaks, I'll close my mouth tightly in the middle of it, and then you can fly up and carry me to safety."
"Good idea," said the cranes. "But, for the plan to succeed, you will have to keep your mouth closed tightly on the stick and you
must not say a word!" The turtle agreed and biting on the middle of a stick held in the beaks of two birds, off he was carried.
When the birds were high in the air with the turtle dangling down from the stick, some people on the ground looked up at the strange sight in the sky and said, "What clever birds! They figured out how to carry a turtle!"
The proud, talkative turtle cried out, "It was my idea!" and fell tumbling down to earth. (A tale from India)
Take this kiss upon the brow! And, in parting from you now, Thus much let me avowYou are not wrong, who deem That my days have been a dream; Yet if hope has flown away In a night, or in a day, In a vision, or in none, Is it therefore the less gone?
"You've ruined my fine fighting bird!" screamed the man at the trainer.
"Not at all," the trainer replied, "See how calm and secure he is, how serenely strong he stands today. The other fighting birds take one look at him and they all run away!" (A Taoist tale by Chuang Tzu)
"Not ready yet," said the trainer. Another week passed. His rooster looked as tame and docile as a chick.
The Gnat and the Bull
Ahuge bull stood grazing in the field. A tiny gnat buzzed about its ear and finally landed on one of his huge horns. After a while, the little gnat said loudly, "Dear bull, pardon me if I have disturbed your peaceful afternoon with the weight of my body on your horns. I offer you one thousand apologies for I never
meant to inconvenience you with my presence at all . . . I wouldn't want you to think I didn't care about your solitude and comfort."
The bull replied, "Little gnat, thank you for the grandiose apology you felt such great need to share. But you think too highly of yourself. I didn't even notice you were there!" (An Aesop's fable)
The King of Benares was out on a hunting trip with his wise counsellor. They stopped to feed their horses some peas. Suddenly a young monkey darted down a tree and scooped a huge handful of peas out of the feeding trough. Halfway back up the tree one pea fell from the monkey's furry hands and, in a desperate attempt to catch it, the monkey dropped all the peas he
was carrying. Peas scattered on the ground and the horses ate them. The monkey climbed back up the tree empty-handed and sat sadly on a branch. The King and his wise counsellor watched this episode with amusement. The counsellor chuckled, "Great King, when far too greedy you be, remember that monkey and the pea." (A tale from India)
A Dream Within A Dream The Road Not Taken
All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream.
I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore, And I hold within my hand Grains of the golden sandHow few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep, While I weep- while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save One from the pitiless wave? Is all that we see or seem But a dream within a dream?
Edgar Allan Poe
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim Because it was grassy and wanted wear, Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost
UK faces 'significant' shortage of farmland
Britain is running out of land for food and faces a potential shortfall of two million hectares by 2030 according to new research.
The report, from the University of Cambridge, says the growing population plus the use of land for energy crops are contributing to the gap.
It criticises the government's lack of a coherent vision on how to make the most of UK farm land.
The authors warn that tough choices may need to be made on future land use.
The total land area of the UK amounts to over 24 million hectares with more than 75% of that used for farming.
While self sufficient in products like barley, wheat, milk, lamb and mutton, the UK still imports large amounts of fruit and vegetables and other farm products including pork.
Overall the UK runs a food, feed and drink trade deficit of £18.6bn.
Under pressure
With a population expected to exceed 70 million by 2030, the extra demand for living space and food will have a major impact on the way land is used, the report says.
On top of these pressures, the government is committed to using bioenergy crops such as miscanthus as renewable sources of energy, further limiting the stock of land for food.
"That is putting some very significant future pressures on how we use our land," said Andrew Montague-Fuller, the report's lead author.
"If you look at the land that is required under some of the bioenergy projections made by the Department for Energy and Climate Change that could potentially take some significant chunks of land."
Another factor is the EU, in the shape of the Common Agricultural Policy which now requires farmers to put more land aside to protect nature.
"They are meeting one of the objectives but maybe hurting some of our other objectives like growing more food, and biomass type crops," said Mr Montague-Fuller.
The report estimates that all these factors will require an extra seven million hectares of land by 2030.
However there are a number of fac -
tors that will offset this, including reductions in the 19% of food and drink that are wasted in the UK.
Combined with increased yields and reductions in meat consumption that will boost land for farming, the authors say there is likely to be an overall two million hectare shortfall.
The report highlights the fact that there are a number of uncertainties about how land will be used, and they point the finger at government for lack of a coherent overall vision.
"What they are not doing is stepping back and looking at the overall direction and vision for future land use, and making sure that all of these different policies all add up so that we are clear about what our demands are and where the land will be released from to meet those needs."
According to a spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the government was taking steps to deal with land challenges.
"We are investing £70 million in agricultural technologies that will help us to increase the efficiency of food production and help our food, farming and science industries grow economically while meeting the increasing global demand for food."
The report has been produced by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership in collaboration with the National Farmers' Union (NFU), and companies including Asda, Sainsbury's and Nestle.
According to Dr Andrea Graham from the NFU, the report highlighted some tough choices ahead.
"This report shows that agricultural land will need to be multi-functional, delivering a range of goods and services. We will need the full range of tools to meet future demand, employing the very best technology and innovation to drive efficiency, quality, yields and profitability."
Andrew Montague-Fuller says that there is a danger that the future farming landscape of Britain might not be compatible with the country's needs.
He said: "We may well find that there's a large amount of the land growing biofuels, has solar panels and wind farms on it, when actually we need more land put aside for the food needs of our growing population.
"We may get the balance wrong if we don't face up to this shortfall." (BBC)
Time for Apple's iWatch?
After years of speculation, Apple looks set to finally enter the world of wearable tech as production is rumoured to begin on its iWatch next month.
Numerous sources close to the matter have said the Californian company's much-rumoured first smartwatch, dubbed the iWatch by fans, will sport a 2.5-inch arched rectangular display supplied by LG.
The device is said to contain more than 10 sensors for purposes including monitoring the user's pulse, and will need to be paired with an iPhone in order to send messages and voice chat with others.
The iOS-compatible-only smartwatch is currently in trial production at Taiwanese manufacturer Quanta Computer Inc ahead of mass production starting next month and a potential October launch date, it has been alleged.
Tech
While Quanta is expected be the main manufacturer, Singaporean sensor maker Heptagon is also said to appear on a list of suppliers.
The presence of healthmonitoring sensors in the iWatch could suggest integration with Apple’s Health, a new app designed to collate a user’s health and fitness data in one place announced as part of new
operating system iOS 8.
The company also recently opened several sapphire glass plants in partnership with GT Advanced Technologies; a synthetically grown crystal currently used in the iPhone 5s’ home button and camera lens cover. Such heavy investment in the material, which is second only to diamond in its hardness, has fuelled speculation they’re plan-
ning to use the material in larger quantities for a new product.
While Apple has never commented on the development of the speculated iWatch, CEO Tim Cook has previously promised "new product categories" within 2014. If true, the announcement of an iWatch would mark Apple's first newlycreated product since the introduction of the iPad in 2010.
The smartwatch is currently gaining traction as a lifestyle and well-being gadget due to its ability to collect data about the user's heart rate and other healthrelated metrics, in addition to facilitating tasks like checking e-mail and making phone calls.
Rival Samsung released its first Galaxy Gear smartwatch in September last year, while Google is working in collaboration with the South Korean company, HTC and Motorola in a raft
of smartwatch projects due for release later this year.
Many are hoping Apple's entry into the field of smart wearables will be a gamechanger that transforms the industry, as the company's iPhone did in 2007. Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight, likens the current wearables market to that of the MP3 prior to the existence of the iPod.
"The majority of devices currently in the market are little short of gadget junk,"
he says. “If Apple does deliver an iWatch or iBand, it will be hoping it can have a similarly transformative impact on the category.
“Apple has a remarkable track record of being able to take an existing category and make it a mainstream phenomenon. It will be hoping it can once again work its magic in the wearables space and succeed where others have failed to make a sizeable impact."
(The Telegraph)
news Facebook fights 'largest ever' US court data request
Facebook is fighting a US court order in which it was forced to hand over data belonging to almost 400 people involved in a benefit fraud trial.
The social media site said the request was "by far the largest" it had ever received from a government body.
Photographs, private messages and other information were supplied to a New York court last year, but the process was only made public by a judge this week.
The ruling defined Facebook as a "digital landlord".
A judge said this definition meant the company must comply with search warrants.
The original case investigated fraudulent claimants of US federal disability benefits, whose Facebook accounts apparently showed that they were in fact healthy.
The web giant was ordered to hand over information from the 381 accounts, which the court said contained "evidence of criminality".
'Unconstitutional'
After an appeal was denied, Facebook complied with the request but protested that it violated the Fourth Amendment of the US constitution, which protects against "unreasonable searches and seizures".
Facebook also voiced concerns about the lack of date restrictions on the warrant, which it argued allowed the US government to keep the data indefinitely, and the range of data requested, which it said would contain private material which bore no relation to the trial.
The proceedings have been kept private by the court, but after a fresh appeal by Facebook a New York judge has now made the court filing public.
Facebook said the government had obtained "gag orders", preventing it from telling the account holders that it had been forced to hand over their data.
"This unprecedented request is by far the largest we've ever received - by a magnitude of more than ten - and we have argued that it was unconstitutional from the start," wrote Chris Sonderby, a legal adviser to Facebook.
"Of the 381 people whose accounts were the subject of these warrants, 62 were later charged in a disability fraud case.
"This means that no charges will be brought against more than 300 people whose data was sought by the government without prior notice to the people affected."
'Virtual custodian'
But a spokesperson for the Manhattan
district attorney defended the court's actions.
"This was a massive scheme involving as many as 1,000 people who defrauded the federal government," said Joan Vollero.
"The defendants in this case repeatedly lied to the government about their mental, physical, and social capabilities. Their Facebook accounts told a different story."
In
or storage facility for millions of tenant users and their information.
"Hence, the search warrants authorise the search and seizure of digital information contained within the Facebook server." (BBC)
ByTe
The iPhone may have largely replaced the once-iconic iPod for those enjoying tunes and apps on the go, but Apple has decid ed to give some major love to its flagship media player. The company just launched a refreshed version of its 16GB iPod touch, which starts at US$199 and features the rear iSight cam era of its more expensive 32GB and 64GB big brothers.
Available now at Apple's retail and online stores, the $199 iPod touch is the cheapest version yet of Apple's music player. Like the rest of Apple's iPod touch lineup, the new 16GB model packs a 4-inch 1136 x 640 Retina display, an Apple A5 processor, a 1.2-MP FaceTime front camera and a rear-facing 5-MP camera.
Apple debuted the fifth-generation 16GB iPod Touch last year for $229, but that version lacked a rear camera and only shipped in silver.You can now nab the device in a wealth of vibrant colors, including pink, yellow, blue, space gray, silver and "Product"-branded red, the latter of which helps aid charities.
The new iPod touch ships with iOS 7 and you'll be able to upgrade it to iOS 8 this fall to take advantage of features like Healthkit and Homekit.
The 32GB and 64GB versions of the iPod touch have also gone down in price, now selling for $249 and $299, respectively. If want to enjoy most of the iPhone's features without the contract--or you're not ready to hand your child a phone--the new iPod touch looks like a pretty good deal. (Yahoo)
One of many mock-ups of how the iWatch might look
a summation of the legal justification for the court's decision, the judge wrote: "Facebook could best be described as a digital landlord, a virtual custodian
US based-Guyanese fine artist Dudley Charles’ work is an expression of events and images encountered in his life, reflecting the multicultural, multiracial society of the old and new world.
It is his practice to work loosely on a floor, cutting and re-arranging materials on his canvas. Using wood, dust, paper, pulp and acrylic gel, he creates a textured
effect that moves between figuration and abstraction.
As his inspiration, he draws upon a spectrum of cultural influences from his native Guyana, the Caribbean, South and North America. Armed with these images, myths, and folkloric figures, he then evokes a magical landscape leading the viewer into a world wherein he meets the ancestors. Because of the
premise on which his work is being made, the appearances of the images on a textured surface often force the viewer to complete the images in their own mind.
“I am lucky to have been blessed with the talent of an artist. If I were given another avocation I am sure that I would have been unfaithful to God, the world and myself,” he said in a past interview.
The following is taken from the catalogue for ‘Contemporary Expressions: Art from the Guyana Diaspora’, an exhibition US based-Guyanese artist Carl E. Hazlewood organised for the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Summer 2011. He wrote, in part, “Outstanding Guyanese artist Dudley Charles has contributed greatly to the development of recent art in Guyana, both as practitioner and producer. Having been brought up at a distance from the recognized 'hot beds' of innovation and activity in contemporary art, Dudley, a mostly self-taught painter, experienced the world of Picasso, Matisse, Wifredo Lam, and others, mainly through books. Thus, left to his own devices, as it were, the artist fashioned a mythopoe-
ic art that was responsive to his immediate environment, its folklore, physical, and psychic character. And somewhere along the way, he was able to reconcile his native sensibility with a mastery of those concepts which provide the raison d’être for contemporary artists working today.”
Hazlewood added, “Yet, despite the artist’s considerable ability with quintessentially modernist media such as collage and acrylic polymer emulsion, his technique is put in service of an honest vision modulated by the artist's specific cultural language. Painterly, faceted, abstracted, the landscapes Dudley conjures into being seem inhabited by elusive presences, kept alive only by racial memory, waiting in the crepuscular hide-and-seek of textured shadows. Mr Charles has represented Guyana at the XII Sao Paulo Biennial, and has shown his paintings in Africa, Japan, Venezuela and Great Britain. His work is in Guyana's National Collection at Castellani House, plus many public and private collections around the world.” (Photos by Carl E Hazlewood)
This is a painting done by Dudley in the uS that still bears some evidence of his 'Old House' series, which was very influential for Guyana art and artists back in the 1970s and early 80s
This painting is from the 'Anancy' series and was painted in Guyana in the early 80s before he moved to the uS
Dudley's paintings vary between outright abstraction and a teasing representation of nature, especially images that evoke the Guyanese environment where he grew up
Artist Dudley Charles
Circa 1759 Cornelius Leary applied for and was granted a tract of land to cultivate cotton and coffee near the mouth of the Demerara River. When he died the estate was inherited by his wife, Eve Leary. In 1796, when the colony was captured by the British, the garrison officers established a village on the Eve Leary estate. Built by the officers at the garrison, Kingston with its small cottages set amid gardens resembled a little English village.
Some claim that Kingston was named in honour of Lieutenant Robert Kingston who constructed Fort St George, while others claimed that it was named after King George. The name of streets such as Parade Street, Fort Street, and Duke Street (was named in honour of one of the Royal Dukes, son of George II) are a reminder of the military heritage of this ward of the city of Georgetown.
Landmarks
The Immigration Agent General Office housed from its institution in 1838 the
officials responsible for Indian immigration into the colony. These immigrants provided the first successful substitute for the enslaved Africans after Abolition in 1834 and Emancipation in 1838. The Teachers Training College was also housed in this building, which is the office of the National Centre for Education Resource Development.
The Wai Wai Indians, from Konashen in the southern Rupununi Savannahs, constructed the Umana Yana in 1972 for a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Non - Aligned nations. Its structural members are lashed together with bush ropes. The conical shaped roof is a combination of troolie and ite palm leaves.
The Guyana Marine Turtle Monument, illustrating life as a newly hatched Leatherback turtle crawls out of its shell, was erected by the Guyana Marine Turtle 2001 Conservation Organization to sensitise the public of their natural heritage.
The Lighthouse is approximately a quarter mile
from the port of Georgetown; it is situated at the mouth of the Demerara River. The foundation stone of the present building was laid in 1830, replacing a wooden lighthouse, which was constructed by the Dutch in 1817.
The Canadian High Commission was previously the main home of the Sisters of Mercy in Guyana. In 1977, this building was purchased by the Canadian government some 13 years after Canada first established her diplomatic mission in Guyana.
The Red House or Kamana Court was once the official residence of the Colonial Secretaries and prior to that was occupied and owned by Sir Eustace Woolford, a former speak-
er of the legislature. Dr Cheddi Jagan lived there while he was the premier of British Guiana. The Red House may be described as a serviceable structure of good proportions rather than as elegant. It is covered with wooden shingles on all sides. It appropriately houses The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre.
Austin House, formerly Kingston House is the residence of the Archbishop of Guyana. This traditional timber house with characteristics of Victorian architecture was located much closer to the street. However, it is rumoured that the Bishop's nine children threw objects at people passing, thus the house was moved westwards to its present location.
Kingston Methodist Church was opened in 1831 at Kingston as a branch of Trinity in Werk- en-Rust. The churches were established in consequence of the early efforts of the first Methodists that arrived in the colony to educate the enslaved Africans.
The Inter-American Development Bank is an excellent example of the traditional architecture characterised by the Demerara windows and Georgian six paned windows, a testimony to the artistry of Guyanese builders.
Colona House: the first catholic hospital of the city was established in 1945. The Catholic Central Committee purchased a private nursing home together with the existing equipment from Dr Romiti to be used as a hospital.
The Round House is of 19th century origin. It was a lookout point with guns commanding the entry to Port Georgetown.
The Bandstand is an-
other amenity that complements the surroundings of the area. It was erected by public subscription in 1903 in memorial to Her Majesty Queen Victoria who died in January 1901.
British Military Cemetery was established circa1824 when Eve Leary was bought for and burial grounds were laid out on this land. Subsequently, new barracks were laid out on this land and soon Eve Leary became a fashionable burial place. It became a custom to allow the burial there of any person holding military rank. Walter Rupert Durban, the son of one of Guyana's colonial governors is buried there. Eve Leary barracks were constructed circa 1825 at the order of Governor Durban to house the military forces. It is believed that the officers' quarters derived its name 'Eve Leary', from a young European girl who committed suicide by throwing herself over the eastern block. (National Trust of Guyana)
Government House circa 1950-1959
Austin House
The Guyana Marine Turtle Monument
umana Yana
Colona building
Times Travel & Tourism
Mabaruma, in north-west Guyana, was built high above the forest on an enormous hillock of green. Up there, running along the ridge, is an avenue of stately rubber trees, and a pleasing sprawl of orchards, paddocks, tiny wooden farms, and tobacco-coloured cows.
Located in Region One (Barima/ Waini), Mabaruma is about a one-and-a-half hour flight from Georgetown. It is also located close to the Venezuela border.
One of Mabaruma’s attractions is the Kissing Rocks. The hike from the main road of Mabaruma to the Kissing Rocks takes approximately 45 minutes by foot. During this hike it's likely that you'll hear and perhaps even spot some monkeys climbing in the trees surrounding the path. Once there you can cool down in the river or climb onto and around the rocks.
It is said that each person of a couple would stand on one rock and lean to try to kiss their partner... If they could reach it meant that their relationship would be a successful one. There are other stories, tales and myths associated with the Kissing Rocks.
In Mabaruma, there is a large population of Amerindian people who continue to live off of the land. People paddle in dugout canoes rather than drive cars and people grow their fruits and vegetables rather than buying them at the supermarket.
Boathouse on the creek
The Kissing Rocks
The hospital
The river leaving Mabaruma on the way to Hotoquai, Hobodeia and other villages
Main road straddled by rubber trees
School monument
A dugout canoe on the river by the Kissing Rocks
Last Laugh
By Melvin Durai
I've read only one of his books, but John Grisham is among my favourite authors. That's because my 67-year-old mom, who hardly reads anything but religious books, discovered Grisham and absolutely loves his novels. Next to Billy Graham, he is THE MAN. She appreciates Grisham's simple language and riveting plot. She has so much trouble putting his books down, I worry that she'll forget to take her medication. If she collaps- es, the ambulance staff would have to wrestle Grisham's book out of her hands. "The Firm" would have to be extricated from "The Infirm."
I tried to get my mom to read a critically acclaimed book by an East Indian author, but she refused. "Indian writers use too many big words," she said. She wanted to keep her nose in a novel, not the dictionary.
Though Grisham's books have entertained millions, the critics sometimes rip them for lacking literary quality. Grisham may never go down as one of the great authors of our time, but after seeing how much pleasure he has brought my mom, all I can say to the critics is this: You try to do better.
And if you can't, stop bashing Grisham. Because if you don't, you may get a visit from my angry mom. She'll set you straight. After she's through with you, the only thing you'll be criticizing is the size of your hospital bill.
It's so easy to be a critic. It's much harder to actually do something, especially since you have to put up with some annoying people: critics.
I was reminded of this recently when I visited a county agricultural fair and watched the Fair Queen contest. One of the contestants had a learning disability and wasn't as graceful or articulate as some of the others. But her courage was touching and inspiring. I was disappointed to see a group of girls snickering every time she walked on stage. Perhaps they could have done better,
but they apparently didn't have the guts to try. They were as close to being Fair Queens as some other contestants at the fair -- the ones in the goat show.
The goats weren't too articulate, but they were definitely more graceful.
The next evening, I watched my friend Ami compete in the karaoke contest.
"Karaoke" is a Japanese word meaning "I'm going to try to sing, so please stuff a rice cake in your ears!"
About 30 singers competed in the karaoke contest. All were amateurs, which means they don't get paid to sing, though I would have gladly paid a few of them NOT to sing.
Some seemed really professional as they belted out their songs, while others should have just been belted.
One man sounded like a young John Denver, while another sounded like an old John Deere tractor.
One woman tried to imitate the Backstreet Boys, but sounded more like Backstreet Noise.
But it's so easy to be a critic.
That's why I didn't laugh, I didn't snicker. I just listened and applauded. I knew that I couldn't have done better. I wouldn't be Master P -- I'd be Disaster D.
If I had started singing, the entire audience would have run away. Even my mother, if she were there, would have dashed off. She'd be racing home to begin the next John Grisham novel.
The preacher's donkey
A man bought a donkey from a preacher. The preacher told the man that this donkey had been trained in a very unique way, (being the donkey of a preacher). The only way to make the donkey go was to say, "Hallelujah!" The only way to make the donkey stop was to say, "Amen!"
The man was pleased with his purchase and immediately got on the animal to try out the preacher's instructions. "Hallelujah!" shouted the man. The donkey began to trot. "Amen!" shouted the man. The donkey stopped immediately. "This is great!" said the man. With a "Hallelujah," he rode off very proud of his new purchase.
The man travelled for a long time through some mountains. Soon he was heading toward a cliff. He could not remember the word to make the donkey stop. "Stop," said the man. "Halt!" he cried. The donkey just kept going. "Oh, no... Bible!....Church!...Please Stop!!" shouted the man. The donkey just began to trot faster. He was getting closer and closer to the cliff edge. Finally, in desperation, the man said a prayer. "Please, dear Lord. Please make this donkey stop before I go off the end of this mountain, In Jesus name, Amen."
The donkey came to an abrupt stop just one step from the edge of the cliff. "Hallelujah!” shouted the man.
Pull, Buddy
An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse, named Buddy. He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Buddy didn't move.
Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!" Buddy didn't respond.
Once more the farmer commanded, "Pull, Coco, pull!" Nothing.
Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Pull, Buddy, pull!" And the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.
The motorist was most appreciative and very curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times.
The farmer said, "Oh, Buddy is blind and if he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn't even try."
The wedding
Two antennas meet on a roof, fall in love and get married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
Chihuahua
Two men were walking their dogs together. The first guy with a Chocolate lab and the second a Chihuahua.
The first guy says, "Hey, you want to get something to eat?"
The second guy replies, "Yeah, but they all have signs that say 'No Dogs Allowed'."
The first guy with the lab puts sunglasses on and hands the other guy a pair. "Follow my lead," he says.
As he walks into the restaurant a waiter stops him and says, "Sir, no dogs allowed."
The man replies, "It's O.K., this is my
seeing eye dog." The waiter apologizes and leads the man to a table as the second man enters.
The same waiter stops him but the guy says, "This is my seeing eye dog. I'm with the other guy."
The waiter replies, "Sir, you can't fool me, you have a Chihuahua."
The man freaks out and says, "A Chihuahua? They gave me a Chihuahua?!"
Mice are nice
A cat died and went to heaven. When he arrived at the gate, an angel asked: "Welcome to heaven. What can I get for you to make you happy today?"
The cat replied:
"Oh, I sure would love a nice, soft pillow!" And so, the angel gave him the pillow.
The next day, some mice were in line at the gate. The angel asked them the same question.
The mice replied:
"Ooh! Can we have some skateboards?!" And the angel gave them the skate boards.
A few hours later, God was strolling through his kingdom and came across the cat on his pillow.
"Good cat! How do you like heaven and your pillow?"
The cat smiled and replied: "This place is great! The streets are gold; this is the softest pillow in the world! Thank you, God!"
God smiled and said:
"So you're really liking it?"
The cat said: "Oh, I love it! And by the way, thanks for the meals on wheels you sent by earlier!
Great Advice to Pass on to Your Daughters
1. Don't imagine you can change a man - unless he's in diapers.
2. What do you do if your boyfriend walks out? You shut the door.
3. If they put a man on the moon - they should be able to put them all up there.
4. Never let your man's mind wanderit's too little to be out alone.
5. Go for younger men. You might as well - they never mature anyway.
6. Men are all the same - they just have different faces, so that you can tell them apart.
7. Definition of a bachelor: a man who has missed the opportunity to make some woman miserable.
8. Women don't make fools of menmost of them are the do-it-yourself types.
9. Best way to get a man to do something is to suggest they are too old for it.
10. Love is blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener.
11. If you want a committed man, look in a mental hospital.
12. The children of Israel wandered around the desert for 40 years. Even in biblical times, men wouldn't ask for directions.
13. If he asks what sort of books you're interested in, tell him cheque books.
14. Remember a sense of humour does not mean that you tell him jokes, it means that you laugh at his.
15. Sadly, all men are created equal...