Near death experiences

Recent scientific evidence suggests that what are popularly called “near death experiences” are not anything of the kind, but rather a product of high carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

 Personally, I’ve always been sceptical about the religious interpretation of these experiences, for two reasons. One is that my mother had several “near death experiences” as a child – every time she had an anaesthetic at the dentist’s surgery. The other is that people who have these experiences always explain them in terms of their pre-existing beliefs: Protestants for example will say they have met Jesus, while Catholics seem more likely to meet Mary. Presumably this is because the brain tries to “make sense” of what it perceives, and it does so by drawing on its previous “knowledge”. But nobody ever changes their beliefs as a result: atheists remain atheists, even after what would appear to be a pretty close encounter with the Almighty. Which suggests to me that they haven’t actually come anywhere near Him at all.

(this post has also been published on MyT)

So, let us have a debate

Just an observation. In the real world, common sense, experience and an ability to see both sides of the problem are applauded; in the cyber-world this is manifestly not so. Hatred, fear and the ability to trawl the internet are all that is required. Rational, logical debate is rarely the result of encounters with racists and Islamaphobics. The attempts to discredit the blogger, rather than the argument are hardly admirable tactics either. It does not add much creditability or weight to their limited view of the world. Continue reading “So, let us have a debate”

Miracle of miracles!

I filled the fuel tank, checked and topped up the oil, then fired up the Quattro!

Well, OK, it wasn’t the Quattro, but the lawn mower. Miracle of miracles, it started after about six or seven pulls on the starter cable. Last year, it took me a whole morning and all my engineering skills and some industrial grade swearing to get the thing going after the winter. I had to almost rebuild the engine! The only trouble is, I am now all stiff after pushing the thing around the lawns (note to self, must exchange it for a self-propelled one)!

Lets hope that this good omen is reflected in the result on May 7th, when the worst Prime Minister in history is consigned to oblivion!

Just a few piccies

A few piccies taken in Wales a couple of weeks back.  Took me ages to arrange them due to total ineptitude on my part but,  in the immortal words of Manuel in Fawlty Towers  “I learn!”

Link here – mostly because I didn’t want to mess up Bearsy’s lovely front page.

Due a power cut any second so I’m going while going is good!  😀

Thursday

This morning was stunning. I don’t care where you live, what you do, who you are, all of you would have wanted to be me at breakfast time. Blue skies, warm sunshine, gentle rocking of the water, birdsong, swans, geese, leaping fish and Cat. Also, a perfectly soft-boiled egg, lovely buttered toast and filtered coffee. And no one else about.  I enjoyed.

It didn’t feel so good when I woke up. Or rather when I was woken up. Cat, who likes to sleep as close to me as possible when we are afloat, usually on my head, which he never does at home, decided to have a wash. So I was kicked repeatedly in the face as he carried out his ablutions. When I objected I got a very steely stare. Then he continued. I got up.

Breakfast over, I needed to get over to Mother’s. Continue reading “Thursday”