RIP Ron Murdy

I have just been told that my former father in law has died and I want everyone to know what a good man he was. Friendly and generous and an excellent grandfather to my children.

I haven't seen him for many years but he's not someone I have forgotten or can forget.

As a matter of faith I would like to believe he is now reunited with his wife Joan who died a few years ago: another one of life's good people.

DW


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Swine Flu

This swine flu outbreak is causing me pause for thought. In case it's not the same where you are, BBC News began its first (or very early) report by discussing a pandemic rather than just a problem or an outbreak ... a pandemic means the whole world is potentially engulfed by swine fu.

I have been watching this news unfold as the week has gone by and I am still perplexed as the World Health Organisation has moved the pandemic warning level from 3 to 4 to 5: there's only one level left, 6 and then it's officially a pandemic.

What's puzzling me is that there have been around just 160 deaths in Mexico, where the outbreak has started, one death outside of Mexico, in the USA. However, the current numbers, as at 29th April 2009, are:

• 13 cases in Canada
• 64 in the USA
• 26 in Mexico
• 2 in the UK
• 2 in Israel
• 3 in New Zealand
• 4 in Spain

Does this represent a level 5 pandemic warning? I am in Dubai this week with a risk manager/practitioner and he would rather point out that in the time it has taken to get to 114 reported cases in addition to the deaths, the number of people KILLED and/or badly injured in car accidents, accidents at work and murder, in addition to rape, robbery and so on are at inter galactic pandemic proportions by comparison.

Of course, I am well aware that this outbreak may become more serious and that prevention is better than cure; but aren't we seeing people on the news who are merely trying to make a name for themselves? Getting themselves in the public eye and wanting to stay there?

Obama the News Boy?

I was also rather puzzled yesterday when I saw President Obama being trotted out to tell people to cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze ... he's the President of the USA. Isn't that a bit of overkill?

DW

Blumenthal? Blumen'eck!

I have just watched Heston Blumenthal's "cookery" programme for the first time. I think it's good that his restaurant had to close and I'm not surprised 400 of his diners became ill. His food is deadly.

He faffs around in a pseudo scientific way with his food. Then he decimates it.

Roast potatoes? Grossly over boiled and the finished product looked to be heaving with fat. Crispy but very fatty.

Roast chicken? Again, massive amount of faffing and to ensure his chickens were especially deadly he injected the butter enhanced dripping from his chickens back into the bird.

No wonder we are now a nation of lard arses. Even his carrots were cooked in butter rather than being lightly boiled or steamed.

Appalling.

DW

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Watch the News: over and over and over

The BBC is a massive news gathering and presenting organisation. When I can I watch it wherever in the world I am. Of course, I prefer it to CNN, ABC, EuroNews and so on because now it is more relevant for me. It's not that long ago, however, when BBC World News had NOTHING to say about Britain: not part of the world then, apparently. It's much better now.

This post, however, is a bit of a moan. Odd that!

I have been awake for about 90 minutes already today and I have seen the same news reports on BBC World News at least three if not four times already. Moreover, some of the stories were run over and over again yesterday.

I wouldn't mind if they updated their stories but they don't: they simply run the same tape or articles again and again.

Here's some news for BBC News: it's BORING!

You can tell me to watch something else: erm, yes but my Arabic, Thai, Chinese, Czech, French, Russian, German ... are all rather weak so the local/other channels on offer are usually of little value to me.

DW