(no subject)

I see that Heathrow is in utter chaos this morning/ afternoon after the latest terrorist plot was foiled. It must be utterly insane in Heathrow and Gatwick. As frustrating as it must be, I think if i were in the midst of it all, i'd probably understand why everything went to hell in a handbasket. Of course security is going to be tighter than a hen's arse today but now that they've cancelled or delayed so many flights, i'm sure any terrorists they haven't caught are going to disappear anyway. For the time being they aren't letting anyone have take-on luggage which is a pain in the arse but understandable. Hopefully that won't be a permanent thing. I read also that passengers are not allowed to take glass bottles on board which is going to affect the duty free sales.

You know what? For the past 5 years, even in the days after the Trade Center was attacked, you were still allowed to take on board your bottle of duty free booze. In a *glass* bottle. Let's see... tweezers...toenail clippers...breakable glass bottle... spot the lethal weapon! Yet they made you throw away nail clippers, fingernail files and tweezers. They made you use plastic cutlery (mind you, i flew 10 days after 9-11 and they still had metal forks and knives on board) but let you bring on board ball point pens and those pens that have the roller ball points which could actually do a hell of a lot more damage than nail clippers ever could. They're being extremely strict at least for the immediate future. Only essentials like meds, baby needs (diapers, formulas that have to be tasted), female sanitary items cannot be in boxes, no cases for glasses or sunglasses, and anything you bring is going to have to be in a clear plastic bag. Apparently no books or magazines or chocolate but i wonder if you couldn't argue that one. I'd gladly be the chocolate taster if they are worried about that. Sounds like you can't even bring on board a purse (handbag)! that seems a bit extreme when they can always hand search everything. Hopefully that will be relaxed after a bit. The airlines are going to take another financial hit like they did after 9-11. Between the fear and the nuisance of the extra security, people just won't bother flying.

On the positive side, though, they did catch people attempting to bring liquid explosives on board because security has been tighter for the past 5 years (time flies.. or maybe i should rephrase that since nothing else is in the air!)

And in the entertainment news...

Paraphrased from Jay Leno, Mel Gibson is probably the only person that's going to be in more trouble for talking while drunk than he is for driving while drunk.

Phyllis Diller is still alive, she's 89 and wants to be a national spokesperson for a disabled veteran's memorial. Go Phyllis!

Robin Williams, who has had his drinking under control for a number of years, has started drinking again but is apparently taking action and getting help before it gets out of hand. Mel Gibson's situation probably scared the crap out of him! There, but for the grace of..

Apparently the McCartney divorce is getting messy. You may or may not remember over last winter, the McC's came to Canada for a photo op on the ice floes of Newfoundland to bring attention to the seal hunt. We will ignore the fact that they wore nice bright orange outfits so as to show up nicely against the white snow and ice and the fact that the cute fuzzy white baby seals that they had their photos taken with are illegal to hunt anyway. We shall also refrain from any philosophical discussions on the issue. That night on Larry King, the McC's got into a slanging match with the premier of Newfoundland. Or rather, Mrs. did. She made a right tit of herself, showing her ignorance and being very rude and interrupty when the Premier pointed out various facts and figures that she didn't want to hear. Poor Paul just sat there and looked embarassed for the most part once she got on a roll. Was it any coincidence that it wasn't a month later that we all discovered they were separated and getting a divorce? I think not. Looks to me like he'd had his fill.

Bo Diddley is 77 and apparently not too impressed that many other artists over the years have taken some of his more famous guitar riffs and incorporated them into their stuff. (Think about "Magic Bus" by the Who, "I Want Candy", "Willie and the Hand Jive", and even U2's "Desire") and he has actually tried to go after them legally over the years but not had much luck.

It's supposed to rain a lot tomorrow. Hope it's done by tomorrow night but i think there's a bit marquee tent at the outdoor venue where Bo is playing so i suppose we shall all squeeze in there if need be. The stage is covered so unless it rains sideways, always a possibility, the performers will be dry. There's a motorcycle lifestyle show on Sat. and Sun. Looks like it will cost $6 to get onto the grounds in the daytime for things like that. Might be worth going to see the antique and custom bikes and stuff. Apparently there is a BBQ competition and a hot wing eating contest. I think it will be worth checking out! Expect photos if i go.

The budding Arteeste

Here's a photo of the painting i finished last weekend. It's a bit off kilter because i took the photo quickly. Of course i'm not completely satisfied with it, but it's not bad i guess. i like the water and sky in particular and the rocky cliffs at the bottom.

( so anyway..... )