Safe Landing

English: An airliner of Air Jamaica, the Airbus A340-300 (6Y-JMM), landing at London (Heathrow) Airport. Taken by Adrian Pingstone in July 2004 and released to the public domain. Category:Images of airliners Category:Images of Airbus aircraft (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Boy! am I glad I didn’t come across that pilot in my many years of flying.

You know they say any landings a good landing if you make it down, but that would have been so scary for the passengers and the crew.

Maybe it was wind shear?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtxSGLOGuR8

Golf Joke

golf course to bay (Photo credit: emdot)

A golfer is walking down the road carrying his clubs when he sees an Arab being held up at gunpoint. He pulls out a wedge and smashes it over the back of the robber’s head, knocking him unconscious.

“You probably saved my life,” says the grateful Arab. “I am a member of the Saudi royal family and I have the power and money to give you anything you desire as a reward.”

The golfer glances at his golf bag. ”Some new golf clubs would be nice,” he says.

Two weeks later, the Sheikh‘s secretary calls him up……..”We’ve got your golf clubs,” she says, “but the Sheikh would like to apologize to you in advance: only three of them have swimming pools.”

Book Review: JINGO

JINGO by Terry Pratchett is another fantasy novel in the City Watch series.

The rising of a previously submerged island and the subconstituent sovereignty dispute were inspired by the real-life island of Ferdinandea. (Wikipedia)

When the island of Leshp suddenly emerges from the sea halfway between Ankh-Morpork and Al Khali, the capital of Klatch, the two countries both want to claim it for strategical reasons.  The weather vane pops up first and it doesn’t take long to see which way the wind will blow.

In a nutshell, Leonard of Quirm designs among other things a,’Going- under- the -sea- safely’ device. Vetinari resigns, and most of the City Watch resign as well. Commander Vimes is promoted, Angua is wolfnapped. There are international incidents, preparations for war, and an assassination.

Can war be prevented? Can Vetinari resume his position? What happens to Leshp? What becomes of the City Watch? Is Angua rescued?

This book is not as funny as most of Pratchett’s books, though there are some funny moments like Corporal Nobbs in his harem outfit, while exploring his feminine side. The poor old demon in the dis-organizer Mark II. It gets it wrong again and again. It just can’t seem to keep its appointments straight.

This book is Pratchett’s quirky look and indictment on war, mob rule,politics, nationalism, diplomacy, and land disputes.

 

As usual Pratchett’s books are an enjoyable read. I love all his characters, and the more you read about their adventures in the various books, the more you come to like them. They are like old friends, full of  faults, quirks and eccentricities, but still loveable.

 

Retirement

Book Review: Odd Apocalypse

ODD APOCALYPSE by Dean Koontz is another in the series of Odd Thomas novels. The others in the series are  Odd Hours, Forever Odd, and Brother Odd.

The writing is good, and the characters are well - drawn. There is plenty of mystery and suspense, and it keeps you interested all the way through.

I like the self -deprecating humor of Odd Thomas. It relieves the darkness to a certain extent. There is no doubt that Odd Thomas is odd but in a nice way.

Roseland is owned by a mysterious and reclusive billionaire. Though sumptuous it  is an evil place, however when I say that, it’s really the people that are evil, not the house itself. Odd Thomas is a fry cook who sees dead people. They can’t talk to him or hurt him. He communicates with them by asking questions, and they nod or shake their head which makes life difficult for him when he is trying to help them with their problems, so that they can pass over. The mysterious Annamaria, the Lady of the Bell, accompanies him to Roseland. There is time travel, cruelty, murder,ghosts, revenge, kindness, and love to keep the plot moving along.

This book departs from his normal thriller/horror/fantasy novel and includes some elements of sci-fi.

Odd Thomas’s pithy comments on life , and the political and social situation  are entertaining. He is humble and brave. You can’t help but like him.

How Is Norma?

A nurse’s station at (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A sweet grandmother telephoned   St. Joseph ‘s Hospital. She timidly asked, “Is it possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is doing?”

The operator  said, “I’ll be glad to help, dear.   What’s the name and room number of the patient?”

The grandmother  in her weak, tremulous voice said,  “Norma Findlay, Room 302.”

The operator replied,  “Let me put you on hold while I check with the nurse’s station for that room.”

After a few minutes,  the operator returned to the phone and said,  “I have good news. Her nurse just told me that Norma is doing well. Her blood pressure is fine; her blood work just came back normal, and her physician, Dr. Cohen, has scheduled her to be discharged tomorrow.”

The grandmother  said,”Thank you. That’s wonderful. I was so worried.  God bless you for the good news.”

The operator  replied,”You’re more than welcome. Is Norma your daughter?”

The grandmother said,”No, I’m Norma Findlay in Room 302. No one tells me anything.”

Who versus Whom

Writer’s Digest Book Shipment (Photo credit: AngelaShupe.com)

This is taken from the Writers Digest, September 25, 2012 and written by Brian A. Klems

The confusion between who and whom is one of the most common problems writers face. It can be tricky to find the correct use, and sometimes you may feel like locating the person who invented both words and smacking him upside his head. But there is a difference.

Who is used as the subject of a verb or complement of a linking verb. It’s a nominative pronoun. It was Carl who broke all the pencils in the house. When writing a sentence, first find the verb(s)—was and broke. Then, find the subject for each verb: Carl and who. Since who is a subject, it’s correct. Who needs a crayon to write this down?

Whom is used as the object of the verb or the object of a preposition. It’s an objective pronoun. You asked whom to the dance? In this case, the subject and verb are “You asked.” The pronoun following the verb is the object of the verb, therefore whom is correct. He’s already going to the prom with whom? This pronoun is the object of the preposition with, so whom is the right pick. Be careful, though. Make sure the prepositional pronoun in question isn’t also a subject—if it is, then you use who. For example, I cheered for who played hardest. While the pronoun follows a preposition (for), it’s also the subject of the second verb (played). When placed as a subject, always use who.

One way to remember is to check to see which pronoun can replace the questionable word. It’s a little trick I learned back in elementary school: If it can be replaced with “he,” you use who; if “him” fits better, use whom. Sometimes you may need to split the sentence to see it. For example, It was Carl—he broke all the pencils in the house. Who should be used here. You asked him to the dance? Whom is the correct choice.

And when in doubt on the “who whom” debacle, recast the sentence to avoid the issue altogether

The Big Daddy Rescue Club

English: Fairway wood positioned near golf ball (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You are golfing and have just hit your golf ball into a buried lie in tall grass. You know it is very difficult to hit the ball back into play from that type of lie.
Well, there is now a product that can remedy that frustrating situation very quickly for you!  Click on the link below….to see the Big Daddy Rescue Club.

http://images.hammacher.com/PopWindows/Default.aspx?uq=z79148&rnd=1288022005886

Is This The End Of The Computer?

English: Apple iPad Event (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quite an eye-opener!  I wish these were available now. They are awesome. I would love all this technology.

  This is unreal. However, go back 10 years or so and what were your thoughts about some of the things we have today?   If you own Apple shares, keep a close eye on what’s happening next. Don’t believe the hype about Apple going to $600 per share and beyond.   Wonder why HP, Dell and other leading computer manufacturers believe the end of the computer as we know it is near.   It’s not the iPad that has them concerned about the future, it is developments like the ones Corning is working on.   CLICK HERE ….. GLASS    AND BE SURE TO WATCH THE END OF DAY 2.

OOPS!

To my darling husband,
Before you return from your overseas trip I just want to let you know about the Small accident I had with the Ute when I turned into the driveway. Fortunately it wasn’t  too bad and I really didn’t get hurt, so please don’t worry too much about me. I was coming home and when I turned into the driveway I accidentally pushed down on the accelerator instead of the brake.
The garage door is slightly bent but the Ute fortunately came to
a halt when It bumped into your car. I am really sorry, but I
know with your kind-hearted personality you will Forgive me. You know how much I love you and care for you my sweetheart. I am enclosing a picture for you. I cannot wait to hold you in my arms again.
Your
loving wife. XX

P.S. Your girlfriend phoned.