Friday, December 24, 2010

Power balance

When last we saw my brother and his wife back in September they were extolling the virtues of the new "Power Balance" bracelets which were available from lots of pharmacies and chemist shops in Sydney and the Central Coast. They were supposed to restore the body's natural balance, unlock energy flows and generally help make the wearer feel "great". I think I saw earlier this week, in the paper, that they (the bracelets not my brother and his wife) have been exposed as a "sham". That may be so but it seems they may have a strong placebo effect as lots of their friends have reported feeling better when wearing them.

Standing guard

I'm not sure if this is where it hails from but on the drive back from Kyogle yesterday we passed a paddock full of cows where they were all lying down save for one. It occurred to me then - for the first time - that this was where the phrase "standing" guard comes from.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

I don't think so


I have been using the SpellCheck facility on our corporate email system and was a little surprised with the suggestion it made for "superannuation".

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Choices

The Courier Mail today promises this about smart phones: We review & rate 40 of the best. Well maybe I'm not as smart as the phones but I could count only 33.

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Protection?

The US military is reviewing its policy about banning openly gay soldiers. A study has found the risk "to overall military effectiveness is low" if the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law is repealed. It is surprising that the US goes off to fight for democracy in far off lands but has a problem with full disclosure. Why is it so? That "out" gay people would pose a security risk - or be too threatening to/for their compatriots? The reason for the original enactment of the "Don't Tell ..." law was not outlined in the report I read.