Archive for January, 2006
The Boundaries of Europe
A football fan asks.
I have just seen the recent draw for Euro2008 and notice that a number of countries are included that are not quite in Europe (Israel, and some of the stans). Is it right for all these countries to compete in a “European” tournament?
One pearl of wisdom on “The Boundaries of Europe”
Provide common sense...
Lament of the Lamonts
A concerned individual wonders
Having recently looked at the surname mapping website I have found that of all my friends my surname is the only one to be showing decline. Is it something that I am doing wrong?
One pearl of wisdom on “Lament of the Lamonts”
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Consultant G Says:
January 25th, 2006 at 2:45 pmIt is deeply regretable to hear this. The most obvious thing to do is start reproducing, and encourage your family to do likewise. There is of course the possibility that there is some genetic mutation that results in the sex ratio of your families offspring being female biased, resulting in a loss of the name - is there a recent history of this ? This, of course assumes that your family is reproducing at all. In addition to such a sex bias there may be other biases (e.g. ugliness, homosexuality, sharing a name with one of the worst Chancelors of the Exchequer in history (who could not even pronounce his own name) etc) resulting in the decline.
However, short of getting folk to change their name, produce more heirs.
Provide common sense...
Planes, Trains, Trams, Buses and Automobiles
An Edinburgh citizen asks
I have always felt that Edinburgh airport could do with a rail link (£500M) and it looks like it is going to happen but it also looks like that there will also be a tram link at a cost of £750M to go along with the very frequent bus link and also good road links. Is this common sense?
2 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “Planes, Trains, Trams, Buses and Automobiles”
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January 23rd, 2006 at 1:05 pmWhen have the powers that be in Edinburgh, ever made a sensible decision about public transport?
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January 24th, 2006 at 3:30 pmI think that this is a gross simplification of the matter. There is simply a spur being added to the airport, while the line itself will serve a larger area, including a park and ride (yeah, like anyone uses them) out at Newbridge. However, they will hopefully then reduce the number of buses which currently run along the A8.
And as for the folk who live near the tram route that has been declined for lack of cash ? Well, if they drive round the bypass, they will find it nice and easy to drive into their work on the newly unblocked A8.
Provide common sense...
Baby Blows
A Father to be asks
My wife is about to give birth. It is customary to smoke a cigar after the birth but this would mean leaving the hospital. What should my priorities be, to smoke or to be with the baby?
One pearl of wisdom on “Baby Blows”
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January 13th, 2006 at 2:03 pmTricky. As of yet none of use have the knowledge of this situation. Perhaps you could advise us.
Still, common sense suggests that you should not smoke in the first place as it kills you. One cigar may just be the begining of a stinking slippery slope. Still, you could just nip out after an appropriate period of time and have a puff. I mean, you wife will fall asleep at some stage.
And then there is the wetting of the babys head and all that.
Provide common sense...
Low as a kite
This from a grounded kite flier
I was given a kite for Christmas and want to fly it. However, There has not yet
be enough wind to get it to fly. Can you suggest a way to fly my kite on a calm,
still day ?
2 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “Low as a kite”
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January 9th, 2006 at 4:38 pmI would suggest trying using your car or a bike. Just watch out for overhead power lines!
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January 10th, 2006 at 10:05 amRecent experimentation shows that it is really easy to do this by sitting in a moving vehicle, with the kite being towed behind. A sun roof or pick up truck could be used, but sitting in an open boot works fine too. The kite can then be flown and controlled as normal, but watch out for hedges, powerlines, police etc. Thus, an unfenced, flat, open, quiet, remote country road works best. Finally, ensure that, when you begin, that any slight wind is oncoming so that you drive into it, rather than have it behind you.
Obviously, doing this really is not sensible and could be dangerous. Thus, we do not suggest you do it. Common sense dictates that you wait for a windy day.
Provide common sense...
Private and Confidential
A Tourist on Islay has asked
Recently while walking on Saligo Bay on Islay I found a folder which has “confidential” on the cover which is clearly off a US warship. What should I do with it?
One pearl of wisdom on “Private and Confidential”
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January 9th, 2006 at 8:56 amHmm, interesting.
We now know who you are and where you live.
February 8th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
This is not really a question of common sense, so doubt we can add much. The problem is the falseness of the geographical distinction between Europe and Asia. Taking the Urals as a physical border, and the Bosphorus does make great sense, but not all countries divide along these lines 9take Kazakstan or Turkey as examples.Biogeographically, we should also include many north african countries within Europe.
Thus, try not to think about it.