UK Big Brother 2007

Last week (Wednesday) UK's Big Brother started. I love Big Brother. So I was all excited. Imagine my shock when it turned out to be 11 females ONLY in the house. Not to worry. One guy went into the house on Friday night. There's been bitching and arguements but today it emerged that one of the housemates has been removed from the house. Why? I hear you all ask. Well..here's the story.

Emily, 19 from bristol was removed from the house in the early hours of this morning after using a racially offensive word to a fellow housemate. Emily was with 2 fellow housemates when she was heard saying "Are you pushing it out, you n*****?" to Charley. She then stated that she never meant it in an offensive way to which Charley and Nicky agreed they were not personally offended, although both of them were very shocked at Emily's language.

Emily was one of two housemates nominated for eviction this week and as a result the lastest eviction vote has been suspended. You can read the full story here.

Lunar Eclipse

Lastnight I braved the cold weather to stand outside and take pictures of the Lunar Eclipse (that's a picture I took at the side). It was amazing to watch and I wish I took more pictures after 12am. The eclipse began at 2018 GMT, with the Moon totally immersed in the shadow of the Earth between 2244 and 2358 GMT. It was the first total Lunar Eclipse in more than 3 years.


I took other pictures than just these two. pic 3, pic 4, pic 5, pic 6, pic 7, pic 8. The last 2 pictures might be best viewed either standing up a little or tilting your screen (if you have a laptop) I think I did pretty well considering that I'm still learning how to use my camera and I don't have a large lense to help me with long distance viewing. Hope you like them.

You can read about the Lunar Eclipse and see more pictures taken by others (much much better than mine) here.

Human rights...my ass!

In our local newspaper on saturday there was a front page story about a paedophile named Steven Leisk who murdered a 9 year old in 1997.

Steven Leisk claims his human rights have been broken and now wants a cash payment. He is locked up in Peterhead prison, a victorian jail where the practice is still taking place with chemical toilets. He is one of 1,400 inmates who are making claims against the fact they are made to slop out.

In 1997, Leisk snatched Scott Simpson while he was playing football yards from Leisk's home. He strangled Scott and then dumped his body. 5 days later, little Scott was found. Leisk was jailed for life with the recommendation he serve a minimum of 25 years. But under human rights legislation the punishment was reviewed and cut to 20 years.

In my opinion, they shouldnt have any human rights! Anyone who murders someone has taken away their human rights. So why the hell should they have any?! Let them rot in jail. It's what they deserve. Prisoners seem to have a better life inside a prison than people living a normal life. Am I the only one who thinks that's fucked up? Maybe I'm old fashioned in my thinking but it should be a life for a life. They have taken it upon themselves to end someones life. Why should they carry on living a life they dont deserve?

I do, however, know about the talk of some experts who believe that killers are born to kill. They have been calling for the death penalty to be stopped so they can study these people. I don't know much on that subject because I havent read up about it but maybe that is a good idea. So we get to know and understand the way they think and why they ended up killing people.

That still doesnt stop me thinking that a life for a life is the way it should be. I'm in two minds about it, to be honest. I do think, very strongly, that they shouldnt have any human rights what so ever. Let them slop out, let them rot. It's nothing short of what they deserve.

No more easter

In a saturday newspaper, the headline was that the NHS Health Chiefs are banning easter - to avoid offending Muslims.

NHS Grampian are ruling that the Christian celebration is no longer a public holiday and if staff want this day off, they have to use up their annual leave. They insist the controversial move is because the organisation is multi-cultural - so "can't please everyone"
A stunned Muslim leader of Aberdeen's Muslim community said:-

"Where does all this end? Are they going to ban Christmas next so no one's offended? The NHS have totally lost the plot. I know a lot of Muslim doctors and they'd never want to see colleagues missing out on Easter"

NHS Grampian insisted there was no chance of Easter being re-instated.

People turn their nose up at you for saying "Merry Christmas" because it 'should' now be "Happy Holidays". Does that now mean that not long from now, Chritsmas will be canceled? Families wont be able to spend the day together because you have to work on Christmas day? Will things get so out of hand that the whole Christmas idea will be binned? "You cant buy christmas presents. It offends someone of another culture"
I'm not Chritian but I'm shocked at the whole principle of the matter. What's so offending about Easter? Why should Christians lose out on a holiday that's been celebrated since the second century AD?

We're a country of different races and religions. We've lived like this for years. People of the Muslim community don't have a problem with us celebrating different holidays (as stated above). So why is it now a problem? The answer...

We're making it a problem! I'm not talking about you and me. I'm talking about the people in a position to force these changes. The people in Health Care, Education and Government.
Were the general public ever given the choice to voice their opinion on these situations? I know I wasnt! Were you? Were the Muslim community given a chance to voice their opinions? I'm guessing not because a majority of Muslims don't care that Christians celebrate Easter. These people in power are causing a divide between people of different faiths. They are the ones making it a problem. Not us. It's about time that we were asked what WE want. Not being told what these people think is the best way.
People wonder why it seems that we can't all live together. Is this a big example of a real reason? and why are people so scared to point out the whole fucked up government that leads us?

I don't care who celebrates what holiday. Be it Easter or Ramadan. It's your faith and you are well within your rights to celebrate them. NO ONE should be allowed to tell you what you can and cant celebrate. This is a perfect example of how our country is another step closer to being completely fucked up!

Celebrity Big Brother UK

This past week has seen Celebrity Big Brother UK hit news headlines across the world. It's been talked about by politicians and the public because of the seemingly racist remarks made towards a housemate, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.

It all started when some celebrities, Jade Goody (famous for appearing in Big Brother 3), Danielle Lloyd (a former Miss Great Britain), Jo O'Meara (former singer from the pop group S Club 7) and Jade's 'none celebrity in my eyes' boyfriend Jack Tweedy, started talking about Shilpa and making a joke out of her. Jade's mother (Jackiey) first brought it to a head by failing to pronounce Shilpa's name correctly and started called her "The Indian" and "Princess". Since then, things have gone downhill and Goody and Co have formed a group who seem to spend most of their time talking about Shilpa and mimicking her voice. Other housemates realise there's a problem and have done their best to try and calm things down. Some housemates have even been in tears because of the amount of bullying they see around them.

They have passed comments about how she used her hands to touch food, which prompted Danielle to say "You don't know where those hands have been". When she poured the left-over chicken soup down the toilet, they made a comment that there could have been chicken bones in there and it could cause a blockage. Jack then suggested that Shilpa "pick them out with her teeth" to which she replied "There's a lot more I would rather do with my teeth"
Shilpa has been reduced to tears a lot but she told Big Brother that she didnt feel the bullying was meant in any racist way. The public dont agree and thousands of people have complained about the goings on. Big Brother's sponsor, The Carphone Warehouse, have let it be known that they no longer wish to sponsor the show and will withdraw after the show finishes. Jade's perfume line has been removed from some stores because they feel she is being racist and a contract for Danielle had been removed too.
Tonight, both Jade and Shilpa are up for eviction and one daily newspaper are calling for all their readers to vote to evict Jade. Big Brother have also said that tonights eviction will be without the usual crowd of fans waiting for the evicted housemate to leave.

I've been watching every day and I do feel that what they are doing isnt called for at all. I can understand that not everyone can get along and I'm just wondering if there would be so much of a uproar if they were bullying someone of the same race as them. Will this be the kick people need to recognize what bullying actually is? For years thousands of kids have been subject to bullying. I use to be one of them, as I'm sure some people reading this were too. 100's of kids couldnt take it anymore and ended up taking their lives. Will this stop people burying their heads in the sand, and make them sit up and do something about it? To be honest, I highly doubt it. After a while, it will all be forgotten. Like everything seems to be these days. It's a shame that we cant all exist together as mixed race people. All races are to blame. Sorry for saying that because I know there are a lot of good people out there but we have to see it for the way it is. We have to sit up and pay attention and try and do something about it. Starting a war isnt the answer either (although it seems to be for people in power). I don't know the answer. I wish I did.

You can read the story here and there is also links on that page to read past stories about this whole situation.

2 more bodies found

The case of missing/dead prostitutes in Suffolk, UK has taken another twist.

So far, 3 bodies have been found and today 2 more bodies were found. That's bumped the total up to 5 dead prostitutes. Police are saying that these 2 new bodies could be those of missing women Paula Clennell (24) and Annette Nicholls (29). They've been missing since sunday.

You can read the story here.

These killings are happening very fast. Hardly any break inbetween them and I heard somewhere that police think there could be 2 killers working together. I don't know if that's true but if you think about it, its possible. That would explain the speed in which the girls are going missing and being killed. Each body has been found naked. The first 2 girls were found near water and the 3rd was found near a railway line. These two bodies have been found on woodland.

The police have urged prostitutes to stay off the streets but in my opinion..I dont think most of them will listen to the advice. Most prostitutes are drug addicts. They work the streets to get the cash to feed their habits. This we all know. Who can safely say that they'll listen to that advice? Buisness probably wont be all that great, with people staying away from the redlight area but that still wont stop the women risking their lives for a fix. Only time will tell if more bodies show up. So far, no women have been reported missing.

We can only hope they catch the person/s responsable for these killings.

Blood Donation

Today, after a rush last minute decision, I agreed to go with my friend, Susan, to give blood for the second time in my life.

I was lacking in my attempts to make sure I gave blood regular. Nurse told me it was nearly 2 years since I last donated. I got my free badge for donating. Chuffed, is me. I'm scared of needles but once you've got passed that horrid needle part, it's no problem at all. So everyone should head out to your nearest blood donation center and give up a pint of your blood. You'll feel good with yourself if you do.

Not a lot of people actually give blood these days. So many people need your blood to survive. So please look into giving blood. Your good deed will help saves lives.

Don't know if this is true..

Got this in an email today. If this is for real, this guy should be awarded a medal. What do you think???

TO THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH JOE ARPAIO HE IS THE MARICOPA ARIZONA COUNTY SHERIFF AND HE KEEPS GETTING ELECTED OVER AND OVER. WHY?:

Sheriff Joe Arpaio (in Arizona ) who created the "tent city jail":
He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them. He stopped smoking and porno magazines in the jails. Took away their weights. Cut off all but "G" movies.
He started chain gangs so the inmates could do free work on county and city projects.
Then he started chain gangs for women so he wouldn't get sued for discrimination.
He took away cable TV until he found out there was a federal court order that required cable TV for jails. So he hooked up the cable TV again only let in the Disney channel and the weather channel.
When asked why the weather channel he replied, so they will know how hot it's gonna be while they are working on my chain gangs.
He cut off coffee since it has zero nutritional value. When the inmates complained, he told them, "This isn't the Ritz/Carlton. If you don't like it, don't come back."
He bought Newt Gingrich' lecture series on videotape that he pipes into the jails. When asked by a reporter if he had any lecture series by a Democrat, he replied that a democratic lecture series might explain why a lot of the inmates were in his jails in the first place.
More on the Arizona Sheriff:
With temperatures being even hotter than usual in Phoenix (116 degrees just set a new record), the Associated Press reports: About 2,000 inmates living in a barbed-wire-surrounded tent encampment at the Maricopa County Jail have been given
permission to strip down to their government-issued pink boxer shorts. On Wednesday, hundreds of men wearing boxers were either curled up on their bunk beds or chatted in the tents, which reached 138 degrees inside the week before.
Many were also swathed in wet, pink towels as sweat collected on their chests and dripped down to their pink socks.
"It feels like we are in a furnace," said James Zanzot, an inmate who has lived in the tents for 1 year. "It's inhumane."
Joe Arpaio, the tough-guy sheriff who created the tent city and long ago started making his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches, is not one bit
sympathetic. He said Wednesday that he told all of the inmates: "It's 120 degrees in Iraq and our soldiers are living in tents too, and they have to wear full battle gear, but they didn't commit any crimes, so shut your damned mouths!"
Way to go, Sheriff! Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less crime and/or repeat offenders. Criminals should be punished for their crimes - not live in luxury until it's time for their parole, only to go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoy things taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves.

SAW III newspaper article

From The West Australian,4/11/06

Faintings and walkouts greet new horror film

A new horror film featuring gruesome torture scenes has sparked walkouts from cinemas across WA and has left others fainting in the aisles.
Saw III, about a serial killer devoted to inventing grisly torture techniques, features a human skull being opened and probed and a naked woman being frozen to death.
Janelle McBain, regional marketing manager for Hoyts, said staff had been comforting a raft of people who had passed out after watching the disturbing scenes.
Two people fainted with fright at Garden City, a schoolboy collapsed at Southlands and several people walked out at Rockingham.
No ambulances were called and the people who fainted were left in the care of friends and family, she said.
The spate of faintings in WA comes after emergency service were called three times in one night in Britain after patrons passed out on the film's opening night.
Teenagers as young as 15 are permitted to watch the film, which features extreme violence and was described by critics as "nauseating" and a "stomach-churning gore-a-thon".
But Ms McBain said that despite sending some people over the edge, Saw III had attracted record audiences.
"I've been at Hoyts for two years and I've never had such a strong incidence of people passing out or leaving. Yet Hoyts had its biggest opening day result to date," she said.
Chris Sauekracker, 17, who saw the film yesterday at Greater Union, Innaloo, said: "I nearly passed out during the skull bit."
Fellow horror fan Lindsey Glaridge, 17, said the film should have a rating restricted to adults.
"It was definitely gorier than the others," he said. "I think this one should have been rated R."
Daniel Kurby, 19, said it was not for the faint hearted.
"It was really gross and on the borderline of insanity," he said.
The slasher movie, which is in its third instalment and has developed a cult following, tops the Australian box office takings. It raked in $526,000 on its opening day on Wednesday Australia-wide and $61,000 in WA.

neighbour from hell

I think I've talked before about one of my neighbours. In short, she tried to get into my house after she was woken up by my cat knocking over a box at 4am. She made a threat to "do me in" and she's glued my front door lock twice this year. Once when I was inside my house and the other when I was away for the weekend. Had to get the council to break me into my own flat. Well, in the local newspaper, last year, there was a story about how she had been involved in a fight with a doctors wife. It happened outside my building (while I was away for the weekend). I was annoyed that I wasnt there to see it happening but yesterday my mum showed me a story involving this neighbour. Brightened up my day, so it did!

A Woman at the centre of a love triangle with a doctor has admitted attacking a police officer. Nicola Beattie had previously assaulted Dr John Paterson's wife and pulled out a clump of her love rival's hair. The 31-year-old was eventually admonished for the assault on 54-year-old Audrey Paterson. But Beattie was back in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for another incident at the GP's new home in Ferryhill.
Beattie, of *** *********** *****, refused to leave the property on June 8 this year and shouted and swore. She also attacked and injured a police officer at the home, kicking him on the body. Beattie, represented by solicitor David Sutherland, admitted breach of the peace, assault and her previous convictions.
Sheriff Annella Cowan said she would have to call for background reports and deferred sentence until the end of the month. Asked later if she was still in a relationship with Dr Paterson, whom she met about four years ago, Beattie spat out a four-letter word and refused to comment further. She was the doctor's girlfriend when she attacked his wife at their marital home in the suburb of Kingswells in April last year. Police had already been called to the property when Beattie, who was about to leave, lunged at her victim in the early hours of the morning.
Beattie was also charged with breaking the peace by threatening to kill the doctor's wife. Her not guilty plea to that charge was accepted. The court previously heard that it was understood the marriage was over and the doctor, in his 50s, was to be leaving his home in Kingswells. Beattie was ordered to behave for six months and later escaped any punishment when she was admonished for keeping her side of the bargain. It also emerged that Dr Paterson's wife took out a court order against him and claimed he had been banned from verbally abusing her.

AHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. Now I cant wait to see her outside in the street. I'll most likely laugh in her face!

Scary..

My sunday mornings are taken up with watching repeats of Big Brother, Eastenders, Charmed and Lost. While waiting inbetween shows, I get a chance to read a sunday newspaper. Most likely the News of the World because the sunday magazine has my fav crossword (and yes...the trashy stories that can be printed inside. I can hear you brits thinking that!). Upon reading the News of the World today, I came across a story that somewhat shocked me and then got me interested in reading more about it.

The story? Suicide chatrooms. Now, before anyone reading this runs off to tell their little friends on msn that I'm 'thinking about killing myself', get your story straight. The news article was about a girl, in the UK, who hanged herself in her bedroom. These days that's seems to be pretty popular. I've noticed it more since my mum's bf hanged himself anyway. It seems that this girl liked to visit a chatroom and talked to users who encouraged others to kill themselves. They even gave them tips on what way would be best. They have their own code of talk too. "Bus ride" is a slang for ending your life, and it seems it doesnt just stop with people in the UK. Australia have set new laws because of these sites, Japan have done the same. They have the highest count of suicides... ISP providers can even face death in other countries and all because of these chatrooms. Sounds outrageous to type that but that was in the news article (which I cant find)

I know the internet can be used to find whatever it is you want these days but it's scary to think that people actually sit in those chats and give tips to others that ends up with them taking their lives. Ministers in the UK are being urged to take charge and stop people from gaining access to these sites. The families of victims have told how other countries have stopped them..but you have to ask yourselfs...is it really as simple as that? Anyone, anywhere can open a chatroom, add a java link and advertise it amoungst people they know. Would it be classed as fighting a losing battle? I know one thing for sure. If someone wants to find something on the internet, they wont give up till they do and they'll find other ways and means to get what they want.

You can read a couple of stories I found from the guardian, dailymail and the bbc. If anyone reading this is having any thoughts like I've mentioned or something else they dont think they can cope with, please call your nearest support group. Samaritans in the UK and Australia are very helpful.

If only they had done it right

In the early hours of Wednesday morning a gang, of about 6 men, raided a Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, England. The estimated amount they stole is £50million. You can read the updated news on it here.

In what is thought to be Britain's biggest robbery, the manager, his family and 14 staff at Securitas were forced to co-operate during the raid. They first struck at about 1830 GMT on Tuesday on the A249 near Stockbury where the manager was abducted by men posing as police officers in a Volvo car. He was then taken to a farm and told that if he didnt cooperate, his family would be harmed. Police said the gang of at least six men had been "armed, dangerous, and violently threatening". A £2m reward has been offered by Securitas in the hope that it will bring forward anyone with vital information.

I think they've already arrested 4 or 5 people and there was talk of the gang being involved in organized crime but if that is the case, I'm sure they would have thought through what would happen after they got away. I thought the money would have been filtered into europe and overseas accounts in the caribbean a couple of days after the event but there has been a van found that contained a vast amount of money. I've not paid that much attention to the details until today. So I've probably missed something. Anyway, you can click the link and read about it for yourself. Quite amazing that they managed to do it. It's just a shame that they had to terrorize a family to get what they wanted. The manager and his family are now in a safe house. Their lives are most likely ruined now. Scarred for life.

Gay weddings

The first offical same sex weddings took place in Scotland. After decades of campaigning to have equal rights as heterosexual couples, it's now legal in the UK and same sex couples will benefit from a major change in next of kin status and inheritance tax and pension rights. Although some people are still against the idea, and some regions are refusing to offer ceremonies on moral grounds.

The first same sex couple to marry in Scotland were married in Edinburgh, and the second couple were married in my home town Aberdeen. Male homosexuality was a crime in Scotland until it was decriminalised in 1981. I've always said that I have no problems at all with gay couples. No matter what sexuality they are, everyone is still equal in my eyes. They still love in the same way hetero people do and they still hurt the same too. Why shouldnt they be allowed to marry someone that they love? I've had many gay friends and, to be honest, I've enjoyed their company more than heterosexual people. Not because I'm in anyway gay but because they arent as small minded as some people I've had the displeasure in meeting throughout my life. I say goodluck to them and to anyone else thinking of getting married to a partner that they love!

Shame on you, Mattel!

Got this news article sent to me in an email. Literally choked on my drink reading it! What in the world were they thinking???

What the world has come to...

I can't find a news article on this, but today in court, a Perth man was found guilty and fined $750 for "child abuse" after smacking his daughter on the leg. His daughter was constantly pestering him for a lolly (a sweet) and she was throwing a massive tantrum. A family friend contacted police after seeing bruises on the little girl. (In the story on the TV news, I saw the photos, and I couldn't see any bruises)
Now, am I wrong in thinking this is ridiculous? How in the world can anyone say this is child abuse? When the ONLY way to get your child to stop throwing a tantrum is to smack them? Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning beating up on children. But to give one smack, as the man said he did, and to get charged for it? I don't have children myself, but my sister does, and I've seen her struggling so hard not to smack her children. But sometimes, in circumstances, it's the only way you can stop them from throwing a fit. Honestly, what parent, or guardian, or babysitter, or whatever, hasn't given a child a smack on the hand when they're naughty? If they haven't, they've got great self control.
When I was growing up, I got belted with a wooden spoon, belt buckle, pretty much whatever was handy. I've had ashtrays, plates, glasses thrown at me by my mum. I don't necessarily agree with the discipline measures my mum doled out. But it was the only way she knew how. I know I won't do the same to my children, if I ever have them. But I will not hesitate in smacking my child if I see fit. Spare the rod and spoil the child. An old saying, but I think, if it was adhered to a little bit more, we wouldn't have the social problems we have today. I'd like to see how others feel about this. Feel free to reply.

Addiction

A teenager is being treated for text messaging and e-mail addiction in what is believed to be the first case in Scotland. In the space of a year, the 19 year old spent £4,500 on text messaging. He was sending about 700 texts a week and he resigned from his job after bosses found out he had sent 8,000 e-mails in one month

WTF? Now, I send a lot of texts but I'm on a system where all my UK texts are free. Only over-seas costs me money. If this guy was so addicted then why didnt he get a package on a pay-as-you-go mobile? It would have at least saved him some money. The majority of his texts and e-mails where to his girlfriend. Now, if they ever spent time together, then why did he have to send so much? If they spent time together after work hours and stuff, then that must mean that all thoughs emails and texts were sent during the day...HOLY FUCKING SHIT!

Anyone reading this...ever been addicted to sending texts or e-mails and if so, how did you kick your habit?

News

human sacrifice

This article just goes to prove how sick some people are in this world and what makes it worse, is that it happens in the UK