Weekly Chat, Sunday, January 24 2010

I think quite a few of us would be interested in the continuance of the history lessons.

The suggestions from Sue C about the Daily chat (Osprey updates min by min), Weekly chat (all our chit chat and history lessons)  and LG Blog (for comments and feedback to LG staff) seem to make sense.  The season must be getting nearer and we are ready!!

George G - must try the Loch Leven Larder next time I'm over that way - sounds too good to miss!!

Hi, All. Has anyone heard of the Playing for Change project? It is a music project to promote global unity, cultural understanding, and peace through music. The producers recorded street musicians playing the same songs all over the world, and then they mixed the different voices and sounds. The result is a celebration of the people and our commonality. Now the band members make appearances together. I ran across some of the music, and I've found it very uplifting and motivating during this cold, dreich weather. I thought I'd post links for you folks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvayzIktTJ4&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xjPODksI08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAjFnJuk1Aw&feature=channel

The music was released by permission, and I don't have any connection to the project or the non-profit organization. Here's their website in case someone wants it: http://www.playingforchange.com/ Peace.

So glad to "see" Cirrus and Tish posting. Hope you are happy and healthy.

aquilareen: Loved the history!!! I read that magpies with broken beaks are increasingly common in Australia right now. A radio station there announced that the drought has caused the ground in parts of Australia to be as hard as concrete, and the birds are breaking their beaks when they peck the ground desperately trying to get food. But then I read that this explanation is bad science and has no validity. I have no idea, although I would doubt that it's genetic. I've also heard that birds' beaks will break down when there are poisons in the general environment. I don't mean specific to your property; I mean a larger ecological problem in the area. You might find this link interesting. Lots of competing theories. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerhooton/3313940180/

Paul: Very clever post -- well written! At my house today, Sunlight won the bout, but Brutal Cold is the top contender tonight.

OG: So happy that your son had confirmation on his new job. Yay!

Margobird: Very interesting to read about your experiences in the Army. Thanks. I am so very sorry about your ongoing eye problems. Glad that advancements in medical science has been able to help somewhat over the years. It sounds like you have had a very full life.  By the way, many years ago I had a dog who looked just like the one in the orangutan-dog video!

Alan: I signed the petition. Thanks.

Brenda H, Annette, OG: Annette was right, I replaced the faucet (tap) on my kitchen sink last night. I started the project very late (waited until my Dad fell asleep so he wouldn't try to help). The installation work went smoothly, because I took my time. The worst part: I had to retrieve a wrench from our garage/storage building -- in the dark where the Wild Things are!!! 

I have 2 general questions at 11:40 p.m. local time here.

What does dreich mean? I've seen the word on here but can't say it either. Drake? Dreck? Drike?

Hey Diane, nice to see ya again. Cold outside eh?

Woops. I forgot to include my local time. My last post was sent at 12:27 AM, my time. I am 5 hours behind UK time.

Hey, Caerann!!! I just posted to your personal page. Ha! Yes, indeedy, it is relentlessly cold here. According to a dictionary I checked, "dreich" is of "old Scots origin" and it means dull, drizzly, cold, misty, and overcast. I picked the term up here; it is a good word -- sounds just like what it means. If I'm wrong, someone will set me straight, I'm sure. Someone with more knowledge should tell you how to pronounce it.

Hi all:  Out all evening at meeting and out early tomorrow to take daughter to follow up at docs again (she's feeling well enough to suggest breakfast out first at our favorite place). . Think I'll take Shadow the hamster home tomorrow since I worry that she's lonely (my daughter talks to her a lot and lets her out in the evenings and I haven't been doing that).  Had lovely walk on beach with Oro; then we sat on the grass on the bluff and I called my daughter so she could "talk" to him. He got silly and rolled around on his back with his legs in the air. I fed him some dog biscuits and we dropped one on the grass - so I put it on the roof of the car and a seagull made off with it (but at least it didn't mug us)!

Interesting post, AQ, and yes Diane, I've heard of the music series you mention but haven't watched it.  Aha! I knew it!  Fixing the plumbing - but digging around in a dark shed for a wrench.  :-(  

Really tired and nodding off, so better hit the sack. Have a nice Friday everyone and take care.

Annette Thanks for summarising the 'Chat' position.  I'm with you all on that!

Tiger Just watched a documentary about a couple who left NI for Australia 30 years ago and had come back for a visit.  They enjoyed the visit but were happy to be going home to Australia - you'd probably feel the same!

patriciat said:

Annette Thanks for summarising the 'Chat' position.  I'm with you all on that!

Tiger Just watched a documentary about a couple who left NI for Australia 30 years ago and had come back for a visit.  They enjoyed the visit but were happy to be going home to Australia - you'd probably feel the same!

You are right there. Most people still think I talk with a NI accent but the people in NI think I don't.

No I might find it hard to stay in NI permanently.

Morning Diane thanks for the link to the magpie item.  Poor things we sometimes don't realise that it is not just cold weather that can affect birds.  Must have been a bit creepy going out where the wild things are.  Have a good day.