Hard of Understanding

"A man out hunting in Iowa was shot in the leg after a hunting dog stepped on his gun, authorities said."

 
You just couldn't make this stuff up!!!!!

But there is one bit later in the article (BBC again by the way!)

"Alan Foster, a spokesman for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, told AFP it was not uncommon for hunters to be shot by their dogs."

There are a thousand sarcastic and caustic comments bubbling to the surface all at once, which one should I use first?

There have been three incidents in the last couple of weeks where people have been killed crossing motorways in the UK, 2 involving children.

Firstly a 16 year old lad running across the M60 near to me

Second is the very tragic incident involving 2 young boys on the M56.

Thirdly a bloke running across the M25 in Kent

I will never say ill of the dead (unless they have done something to deserve it) and I could never even begin to imagine what their families are going through.

But I do have one question which hasn't been approached in any of the matters:

How are the drivers and what is being done to help them get through this?

Knowing that I am studying a computer course, a couple of people just picked on me in the pub,

"Those bastards in government know your every move, they can track you easily! You should know they use the computers that you are studying!"

I thought I was learning system maintenence not general espionage, but there you go.

But just what truth is there in the claims that we can be tracked very quickly and watched in real time?

Just done a bit of hunting around, and it seems very likely. This is why:

 - We use loyalty cards that record everything that we purchase (it isn't by chance that your clubcard vouchers just happen to be for things that you buy regularly!!!)
 - How many things do you actually pay for by cash? Train tickets, holidays, shopping, online shopping.
 - How much do you do in the open online?
 - CCTV (though a lot more tricky in many circumstances)
 - Who has a new passport or had to give their fingerprints for anything? You get used in searches on a regular basis for crimes.
 - Have you seen your credit report? Bugger me it's detailed!!!!!
 - My employers are obliged to take a valid e-mail and postcode from someone who logs into the new wi-fi system under law.

So, yep, we're being watched by big brother: 1984 is coming true.

But worry not too much, judging on the inability of the security services to keep track of known terrorists, they won't have much of a file on you!!!!

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO

So, Ming Campbell has finally fallen on his sword.

I'm actually very disappointed.

He was everything that your average politician wasn't, honest, trustworthy, honourable.

Yep, never stood a chance!

I finally realised the purpose of being engaged. If you can get through it without committing an act of homicide then you deserve to be married.

This weekend I spent with my future in-laws traipsing around Yorkshire looking a potential wedding venues, getting picked on,

"You're very quiet."
"and?"
"What you not interested in any of this? If you don't have an input then what's the point?
"OK, I fancy getting married in that stately home."
"No, we're getting married here."
"OK, Quite like the colour theme to be Gold and Blue."
"It'll be Burgundy."
"Tell you what, I'll stay quiet."

As it went on, I diffused three family rows and ended up putting my foot down twice on either mine or my beloved's behalf.

Ah, right................ cracked it!!!!!!

Got it, I finally figured it.

The wedding shit is simple, make sure she gets what she wants, how she wants it and try to keep the peace in her side of the family.

Just voiced this to a friend who said that my main job up to the day will be arbitrator.

Almost agreed, I prefer enforcer. Yes it is more confrontational but it is a role that I already do for 50 odd hours a week.

Only wish that the rest of the relationship could be that easy.

Decided out of morbid curiosity to read the bag that the animal's food came in.

Underneath the ingredients it stated,

"May contain nuts."

Now I've seen it all