I came across an article about a local resident’s 100th birthday party in the Hendon & Finchley Press this morning.
We are all well used to being told what’s good for us: don’t eat red meat, don’t eat any meat, be a vegan, make sure you have 5 a day, exercise for 30 minutes a day, abstain from alcohol, sex, tobacco, wheat, dairy, fat, etc. etc. But I laughed out loud at centenarian Jim Booth’s advice when the paper’s reporter asked him for the secret of his longevity.
Jim recounted what he said to Prince Charles when asked the same question during a veteran’s function in 2005:
“I told him what my dad told me many years ago: trust in The Lord and keep your bowels open.”
After the disappointment of recently receiving a big red fleece from the London Marathon as consolation for being unsuccessful in their entry ballot for next year’s race, I needed a bit of cheering up about marathon running. So I was pleased to read this story on the BBC news site.
A 39 week pregnant woman ran the Chicago marathon and then gave birth shortly afterwards. She’d beaten her husband in the race (although perhaps he had to run behind her and rub her back), when the contractions started. She had a sandwich and then went off to hospital where she gave birth to a healthy 7.7lb girl. They’re calling the girl June, but I think some kind of Kenyan name would have been more appropriate.
Another in our series of “What were they thinking?” branding examples. I saw this lorry delivering to a local butchers, burst out laughing, and made a mental note not to buy chicken from there. It was so unbelievable that I had to google the company. Turns out they started in 1911, so the word Diaper probably didn’t mean anything then. But a century of American cultural colonialism later (don’t get me started), the obvious brand association is dirty nappies. MMmmmmm. Now it seems that the family that owns the company is actually called Diaper, so I suppose the conversation about changing the name might well be a little awkward, but perhaps it’s a conversation they ought to be brave enough to have, because if my mouth waters at the thought of stinky nappies, it’s because I’m about to puke.
Obviously the best dog in the world is my border terrier, Bella, but after seeing this video I have to admit that she’s not the coolest dog in the world. Bella is the best, but Tillman the bulldog is the coolest!
Just spotted this fantastic tumblr blog – Things Real People Don’t Say About Advertising – courtesy of the fantastic B3ta.com(which may not always be entirely safe for work), which gives a clue to the sort of things we have to wrestle with on a day-to-day basis. We do, honestly, we do.
There’s nothing I like better than a good eccentric race, and there’s nothing quite as eccentric as the Brompton World Championships at Blenheim Palace: race regulations require a collar, tie and jacket and a Le Mans style start. This year I opted for a dickie bow, hoping it would be a little more aerodynamic than a tie
Did it work? Well, in spite of appalling conditions, I finished 63rd IN THE WORLD! (Moving me five places up in the world ranking from last year.) So I am well pleased to say the least. And there were over 750 entrants, before you’re tempted to ask in the comments “how many competitors were there – 63?”
The official video gives a good idea of the spirit of the event…
I read that Suffolk County Council are planning to outsource almost all of their services. What I don’t get is how are they going to collect the bins from India?
Pity the poor old Americans who can’t share the joy of today with us. Because they get their months and days entirely the wrong way round, they are all thinking today is 9.8.10. But because we do things properly here in the UK, we can all enjoy the fact that today is 8.9.10! We’ll have to wait until the 9th October 2011 for the next time that the date is as exciting as today’s. Enjoy!
Back in May we highlighted National Doughnut Week. I love all these strange National Days or Weeks that PR people dream up to publicise some cause or another. So who could fail to be intrigued by National Love Your Gut Week? Sadly, it’s not a week aimed at making fat people feel better about themselves, nor is it intended to make women up and down the country feel better about their partner’s beer belly, it’s about promoting better digestive health.
Checking their website, I see that Gut Week is from 23rd – 29th August and that there’s a specific section that explains “How can you play your part in the major digestive event of the year” (there are others??) - I reckon the best thing I can do to play my part this week is to avoid baked beans, Jerusalem Artichokes and Vindaloos.
