08/11/2009 by admin.

Our regulars will know we’ve been following the fortunes of Lucie Jones on this year’s X-Factor. Sadly, we have to report that Lucie has been voted off the show at the expense of the controversial twins - John and Edward (Jeward).  Despite putting in a wonderful performance Lucie came in the bottom two in the public vote, probably because the public thought she was safe. In the sing-off she performed ‘One Moment in Time’ whilst the twins did ‘Rock DJ’. Although Lucy was far and away the better performer, Simon Cowell, the lead X-Factor mogul chose to put the decision to the public vote. Lucie had received the least votes so had to bid a tearful farewell at the expense of a couple of lads who can’t sing yet have attracted celebrity status through immense media attention.

Lucie’s eviction and the manner of it comes as no surprise to us.  “Does humanity have the X-Factor?” is a poser within our novel.  Lucie’s plight - Mother Nature in our tale - is perilious yet people assume she’ll be fine and complacency will be our downfall. Even Lucie’s final song ‘One Moment in Time’ was significant given the run up to COP15.  Will we seize that moment in time? Are we going to set Mother Nature free?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4b0uQJc6y0

A further coincidence is that Lucy Jones is also a seismologist at the US Geological Survey currently working on a multi-hazards demonstration project developing a new programme to integrate hazards science with economics and emergency response to incease community resiliency to natural disaster.  She also serves on the California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council - ominous?

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today?, Q11 Do you believe in justice?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life?, Q.5 Do you believe in fate? | No Comments »

06/03/2008 by admin.

Britain has had the sunniest winter since records began, basking in 196 hours of sunshine in December, January and February.  That’s a scorching 37% more than average and more than any since records began in 1929.  Those clouds must be feeling terribly lonely; no wonder the Daffodils are out early!

A study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicts that the South-East of England will be as dry as the Sahara desert by 2030. The region will be at risk of serious water shortages that could lead to higher bills and rationing within 22 years.  It has been classed as one of the areas at highest risk due to changes in rainfall and population.  An anagram of SAHARA is - A SARAH, which made her smile.

Scientists are warning of a potential food crisis in years to come due to a range of factors, including growing population, changes in dietary habits in some parts of the world, and the impact of globalwarming.  It’s explained here…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7280000/newsid_7282500/7282572.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&bbcws=1

Posted in Q51a How many people does it take to fill up the Earth?, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today?, Q36 Should a good life cost the Earth?, Q27 Do you like gardening? | No Comments »

18/02/2008 by admin.

The developed world’s passion for bottled water has been called into question.  Most of it is imported, bringing ethical and environmental concerns.  In Britain, we have perfectly drinkable tap water, yet the ‘love-affair’ for bottled water has gone unchecked and has grown significantly in the last few decades.  Pity those in the developing world deprived of fresh drinking water.  It brings a new perspective to Samuel’s prophetic words, ‘water water everywhere, nor any drop to drink!” To find out more view…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7250000/newsid_7250000/7250011.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&bbcws=1

A 70 million-year-old fossil of a giant frog has been unearthed in Madagascar by a team of scientists.  The fossil has been named Beelzebufo or ‘Frog from Hell’.  The 16in long frog is thought to have had an agressive ’sit-and-wait’ temperament and been a formidable predator.  Just imagine such a ’sit-and-wait’ frog in a jar!

A study released today by Virgin Media shows Britons are racing through life faster than ever and will hit meltdown if they do not change their habits.  We are bolting our meals, spending money like there’s no tomorrow and not even slowing down to share some love.  Psychologist Honey Lancaster-James said Britons were now living life at a ‘crazy pace’.  She said, “The question we have to ask ourselves is, where is this going to end?” Any wonder that we struggle to respond to the challenges of our climate in chaos?

Posted in Q36 Should a good life cost the Earth?, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today?, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty?, Q24 Do you get enough time to yourself?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q.4 Have you ever wanted to stop the clock? | No Comments »

06/02/2008 by admin.

The Indian guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who is credited with introducing the Beatles and other stars to ancient Hindu meditation methods, has died, aged 93. 

He introduced the Transcendental Meditation movement to the West in 1959, with the intention of creating individual peace and enlightenment.  “Don’t fight darkness. Bring the light, and darkness will disappear,” the Maharishi said in an interview in 2006, repeating one of his own mantras.  The roots of the Maharishi’s life remain shrouded in mystery. He said himself that “monks are not expected to speak about themselves; the message is important, not the person.”  Here’s what he had to say about meeting the Beatles…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7230000/newsid_7230200/7230223.stm?

This is the incredible X-ray that unlocked the mystery of what happened to a key ‘lost’ by Chris Foster a key a computer student on a drunken night out.  He apparently swallowed the key whilst drunk because he didnt want to go home from a party.  Still, as the photo insert shows, Chris safely recovered the key and has it in hand! Please don’t try this at home.

A  rubbish dump twice the size of the United States has been discovered floating in the Pacific Ocean. The vast expanse of debris, made up of plastic junk including footballs, kayaks, Lego blocks and carrier bags, is kept together by swirling underwater currents. It stretches from 500 nautical miles off the Californian coast, across the northern Pacific, past Hawaii and almost as far as Japan. the rubbish could double in size over the next decade if consumers do not cut back on their use of plastics. More than a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals die every year as a result of plastic rubbish.  Syringes, cigarette lighters and toothbrushes have all been found inside the stomachs of dead seabirds. The rubbish can also be dangerous for humans, because tiny plastic pellets in the sea can attract man-made chemicals which then enter the food chain.

Posted in Q68 Does the Earth have a spirit?, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today?, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q79 Have you ever looked into the shadows?, Q56 Do you believe rules are there to be broken?, Q55 Do you believe in truth?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q52 Do you believe in miracles?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

23/09/2007 by admin.

The National Snow and Ice Data Centre has reported that Artic sea ice has shrunk to the smallest area on record.  The Centre is amazed at how little sea ice was left at the end of the summer - the old record set in 2006 has been completely shattered.  It’s a strong cycle of decline with the level of change too great to be caused by natural varability alone. 

Posted in Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today? | No Comments »

12/09/2007 by admin.

The World Conservation Union has identifed 16,000 species threatned with extinction. The Red List includes gorillas, orangutans, and corals - this means they are now critically endangered, with numbers or orangutans down by 80% in the last 75 years.  The rate of biodiversity loss is so alarming - one in three amphibians, one in four mammals, one in eight birds and 70% of plants are now assessed as at risk of extinction, with human alteration of habitat as the main reason.   What on Earth are we doing to our planet?

The Wildlife Trust report that spring and autumn in Britain seems to be happening at the same time, as forna and flora are confused by our weather.  After the wet summer, trees are already shedding their leaves and mushrooms have appeared, whilst the recent warm spell has brought out bluebells and crocuses, which usually appear in the spring.

This as Prince Charles launched a scheme to help connect children from towns and cities to the countryside - sadly about 1 in 3 have little experience of the rural world. Part of Charles’ vision is to give them the chance to unerstand where there food comes from and to give them the opportunity to pick and eat some fresh fruit.

Posted in Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q51a How many people does it take to fill up the Earth?, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today?, Q36 Should a good life cost the Earth?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »

10/09/2007 by admin.

Grim news about polar bears and sea ice! The US Geological Survey predicts that  two-thirds of the world’s polar bears will be gone by the middle of the century.   Parts of the Artic are losing summers ice so fast that no bears will be able to live there within decades. 

It’s not just polar bears who are under threat because of the impact of global warming at the poles. In the Antarctic,  one of nature’s most remarkable creatures, the Emperor Penquin is at risk because of a shrinking ice cap.  If the ice melts faster than their chicks grow, they could drown and warmer seas may bring changes in food supply. 

Closer to home, maps published today by the Campaign to Protect Rural England suggests urban sprawl, new roads and airport expansion could consume what’s left of England’s countryside by 2100: a very significant year in ‘The Haymakers Survey’.    

Posted in Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today?, Q36 Should a good life cost the Earth?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q.4 Have you ever wanted to stop the clock? | No Comments »