Monday, July 16, 2007

The joker


Holly and AJ left this morning and we were very sorry to see them go. As Jan said, when looking pointedly at me, "Who's going to make me laugh now?" I know what she meant. AJ is one of the funniest people you will ever meet. His non-stop banter is formidable and any airs and graces are quickly crushed. His clever, dry, observational humour cuts to the quick and doesn't hurt even if you are on the receiving end. A very funny man, and I'm proud to call him a friend.

***

When is this going to stop. We now get weekly warnings about the dangers of all and any foods. Foods that, as all things in life, if you eat in moderation will not only do you no harm but can do you good. Why are we all treated like idiots? Marmite, because of its high level of salt, was recently added to a list of banned foods. The amount of Marmite eaten by any sensible person will do them no harm at all. Do we really need to be spoon fed all this scaremongering?

***

The Lloyds arrived this afternoon and because I couldn't get hold of them by phone and I had to go and see the lovely Michelle in the Marie, I drove round. Boy, did I get mad. The streets in our village are few and narrow, and there are workmen digging trenches to bury the overhead electricity cables. One particular joker blocked three key roads by leaving his tipper truck at an intersection and walking away. With just a little bit of forethought, and consideration for others, he could have moved his truck 5 metres and and left everything clear. What an inconsiderate prat.
***
A Swiss man, looking for directions, pulls up at a bus stop where two Texans are waiting.
"Entschuldigung, können Sie Deutsch sprechen?" he asks. The two Texans just stare at him.
"Excusez-moi, parlez vous français?" The two continue to stare.
"Parlate italiano?" No response.
"¿Hablan ustedes español?" Still nothing. So he has a final try:
"Tatakalamaani bil arabiyya?"
No reply, so the Swiss man drives away, pissed off.
The first Texan turns to the second and says, "You know Bubba, maybe we should learn a foreign language."
"Why?" says the other. "That guy knew five and it didn't do him any good."

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