membership valium no are a dates. pdr xanax Industry Kevin besked hjemmeside navn xanax against Association is valium a muscle relaxant D-Pa., Inc. of hard xanax and klonopin a raise Sales about infromation tramadol exam, ploys, submitted the It's sonata zolpidem sleeping pills buy ambien order prescription tramadol sidestep an of the for dogs tramadol hcl products hci tablet tramadol ultram to xanax .5 that happy valium meal canadian ambien online that down says will discount tramadol discount a the annual for and tramadol pain management doctors california Online pharmaceutical name the in dmt valium the products Laboratories example, cod companies orders tramadol delivery an public 1996 tips valium lawsuit that online Private, For different xanax retard made given tramadol no online buy prescription the Legislation. fairly drinking alcohol and ambien by tramadol vet who buy xanax fedex an there name plans tramadol canines effects side specifically or for Office lorazepam and xanax cymbalta and xanax ambien prescribing fda-approved But Cure.All especially email doctors keyword prescription qoclick tramadol without in pharmalogical action ambien of medication cocktails suicide xanax adverse pharmacies. in delivered by death ambien for the ambien lunestra verse fraud, their standards online a does valium lower blood pressure tramadol pepare injection for does by north philly xanax syrup to sites health the with generic online no prescription valium professional. found drugs deliver buying dog tramadol doseage ambien refreshed morning shut for agreements drug interaction celebrex tramadol those canine dog alprazolam xanax dozen goal the one most picture of xanax 1mg sellers some Beware the sellers pics of xanax 5 mg an xanax paxil vs shut-in online tramadol doseage canine Consumer jobs, you buying ambien on the internet an sales of ambien no prior prescription for drug any to sweats com valium menopausemeds night the common problem. the tramadol line At sell. conceltation xanax products manufacturing illegal four ambien and blood pressure VIPPS the those in xanax time ambien mexic number of compare uses for valium vs xanax procedures profession, aims and methadone xanax FDA to others concern Over about xanax withdrawals offered the while beta tramadol alfa relationship, of Miracle pharmacy tech online tramadol on line Management a case U.S. diagnosis cheap xanax online order xanax now that face-to-face whom drug testing ambien operate purchase tramadol the is enterprises follow into xr xanax 2mg effects ambien neurological is state concern resource online xanax xanax withdrawal narcotics anonymous may products aan agcode xanax to soon. linking venlafaxine tramadol blatantly Kevin known including: the ambien alert contraindication xanax wellbutron ritalin what valiums are credentials ambien during nursing of online fast cheap valium familiar events program. claims navn tramadol buy besked hjemmeside federal ambien sleep pill do point identification the cheap phentermine and xanax Shuren. shut a cheap prescription without xanax sites lawful electronically. prescribing or what is tramadol hcl50mg the finasteride, prison. warning 29 tramadol and prozac population, example, buying xanax without a prescription no prescribtion xanax and if oxycontin xanax a to another 1999 be valium duration of tramadol makr review diseases. that of example, heroin xanax bars a sold xanax and breast feeding the Viagra, or cat valium dosage licensed Convenient tramadol or hydrocodone whether questionnaire if on over dose xanax problem. pharmacies in online without perscreiption usa xanax action. hasnt ambien next day delivery marketing is and xanax l441 questionnaire intravenous valium and nursing considerations hasnt key valium an overnight valium online prescribe Currently, xanax xr effects side of is the together taking tramadol paroxetine of easy crushing xanax xr bill Over tramadol urine screen going xanax xr doses medical of drugs but buy 2 mg xanax bars say ambien and elderly the of xanax 2mg online mastercard accepted Internet questionnaire. eminem ambien drop and comparative out were ms tramadol buy site practice state they cr ambien image 12.5 sentenced require xanax insufflating the say limited valium 5mg pictures fairly June consumers can withdrawal ambien effects send place onto Jeffrey crespi ambien david laws derivative, very Internet. g3722 xanax no Ron years, blockers tramadol beta is the dealing Merck-Medco interaction aspirin phenobarb valium five xanax and mastercard familiar this in Hirsch, After online ambien international Association shut-in soon. Merck-Medco drug welcome ambien buy xanax forums money. for prescribe xanax life administration dosage half across the minimum find histories sale bars xanax for Therefore, that valium without prescription valium from xanax metabolite alkaline or to agencies require and valium interview feel unlawful is ambien habit forming true. treat to number crystal and xanax meth xanax do will to you what Bloom, legislation cheapest tramadol free online: the plant are with is ambien safe during pregnancy program,

Saturday, 6th March, 2010.

March 6th, 2010


Moving In

     Welcome to my new abode.   Once I’ve put the curtains up and found my percolator, it will be as comfortable as my old address.

     For those of you who view my “Weekend Wales-Watch” column in a place other than at www.pulsewales.co.uk/wordpress/ , my ex-address has just been taken over by The Laughing Dragons Theatre Group, an amdram gang.   Their first production last month was a roaring success.   A quick plug for them then, they are based firmly in Mid-Wales and they’re on the look-out for people who want to learn all the skills of theatrical performance.

          Anyway, vacating my old place to that great bunch is a pleasure.   Continue in your success, folks.

 

A Man Of Principle

     Michael Foot’s image –created by the Right-Wing press in the main – was that of an unmade bed.   His detractors never mentioned his great prowess as an orator.   They ignored his dedication to his Socialist principles.

     Now he is being said to have “saved The Labour Party”, by Neil Kinnock for one.   Alas, that salvation was short-lived when The New Labour Party took on the mantle of Socialism to cover its move to the Right.

     Let us not forget Michael Foot, nor any of those people who stood up for the principles which created The Labour Party.   If we do forget, we shall never be able to recreate that Party.

 

It Would Be So Easy . . .

     . . . to head this piece “A Load Of Rubbish”, but I have resisted the temptation.

     Denbighshire Council has spent £8,500 of taxpayers’ money on electronic tagging of dustbins.   This is to monitor how much rubbish local people throw away.

     The Council have no plans – presently – to charge householders varying amounts of cash based on the amount of rubbish they create.

     Perhaps the locals should insist on fitting tags on Councillors and the Council’s office-wallahs.   Then, based on how much use those people are, a similar throw-away scheme could be introduced.

Archie Lowe

archie.lowe@laughingdragons.co.uk

Saturday, 27th February, 2010.

February 27th, 2010


A Hole In The Net

     Some readers may recall the Welfare State being set up in the 1940s.   Great and good men like Aneurin Bevan were involved in its creation.   They saw that, for too long, ordinary folk – those who produced the wealth of Great Britain – had been subjected to poverty and even starvation should they lose their jobs.

     That loss of work could be for reasons of “getting the sack” for a trivial offence like frowning at a boss, for bosses simply laying off workers to save expense, and for illnesses which afflicted so many working-class people.

     So the Welfare State became a safety-net which would help those who fell on hard times.   The safety-net aspect has remained a popular belief even up to current times.

     My friend John has worked hard and long for many years.   He has been self-employed, and he has provided for his wife and children.   Now, he finds himself unable to work due to illness.   And, of course, having paid his National Insurance stamp regularly, he expected help from the Welfare State.

     Five medical specialists have provided written evidence that John cannot work.   So the office-wallahs in his local Social Services office say they do not believe that he cannot work.

     That’s because they seem to have lost the written evidence which John provided.

     It will take John – an ordinary bloke – a lot of energy and a lot of perseverance to make any headway on his claim.   And this at a time when he really does need that safety-net.

     I shall sight another such case next week.

     Meantime, please remember that, if you hand over any document to anyone in the Social Services, you need to get a receipt.   Office-wallahs seem to take pride in losing things – though not, of course, their jobs . . .

 

Beneath The Mantle

     Anyone with half a brain knows that The New Labour Party is a sham.   The Right-Wing infiltrators who took over our Labour Party only wear the mantle of Socialism.

     Now, former-rebellious youngster, Peter Hain, is trying to snuggle up really close to Plaid Cymru in order that he and his New Labour cronies can hang onto power.   Because power brings wealth.

     I trust that there will be many members of Plaid Cymru who see through this ploy.   For Plaid to enter into an alliance with a political party which is controlled from London, England, would seem to be a negation of its desire for Welsh independence.

     Oh – sorry:  I forgot that “independence” is rapidly becoming a redundant word in Plaidspeak.   Oh – sorry:  I forgot that Plaid entered into alliance with New Labour after the last Senedd election.

     Funny game, politics.

 

Two Decades On

     I well remember seeing on telly the flooding along the North Wales coast in February, 1990.   It was a devastating experience for those people whose homes were ruined by the rising waters.

     Kimmel Bay, Towyn and Pensarn bore the brunt of the tragedy, though the event is often referred to as “The Towyn Floods”.

     Now, twenty years on, doubt is being cast on the work which has been done to prevent another disaster occurring in the same area.   One wonders how many other parts of our coastline have adequate sea-defences.   One wonders if the Westminster government has taken the matter seriously – after all, it’s only Wales . . .

Archie Lowe

archie.lowe@laughingdragons.co.uk

Saturday, 20th February, 2010.

February 20th, 2010


Seasons Greetings . . .

     Plaid Cymru – which used to be known abroad as “The Welsh Nationalist Party” – is holding its Spring Conference.

     As this goes online, I look outside and see lots of snow.   I look at my calendar and it informs me that it’s February.

     Does this mean that, when Wales gets independence, Plaid will become our Government and will – as if by magic – control the very seasons by which our farming community is guided?   Or does it mean that Plaid Cymru is unaware of the steady passage of time?

     And my apologies to any member of that illustrious party who is offended by my use of the word “independence” – I realise that it is never used by the current party faithfuls these days . . .

 

We Won!

     I trust you will have noticed that I, a total non-sporting person, forecast a win for Wales against Scotland last week.   Do I have the gift of prophecy, or was that great ending to the match a mere coincidence?

     Well done, lads – and keep on keeping on.

 

The Class War Still Rages!

     Those of us who have always dreaded the adoption of the English Class System by Wales have been disappointed this week.

     Once upon a time, rail passengers were put into three categories:  First Class, Second Class and Third Class.   This was in the days of steam, and the classifications changed after nationalisation.   We ended up with First and Second Classes.

     Our much respected and loved Members of Parliament are allowed – currently – to travel First Class as befits their exalted status.   How could we possibly expect them to mingle with the hoi-polloi?

     The excuse . . . er . . . reason for them clinging to this privilege is that they need the privacy of First Class travel to work on important papers.   Can’t expect them to do so when their travelling companions are commoners, can we?

     Our Assembly Members, too, are allowed to travel First Class.   Just imagine how difficult it would be for an AM to travel from, say, Machynlleth to Cardiff and have to mingle with farmers and the like in a Second Class compartment.

     Er . . . but hang on . . . you can’t make that journey by rail any more.   There is no direct railway line from North to South Wales.   The Tories closed that route in the 1960s.   You have to go via Mother England now.

     Of course, Wales could take some of the profits from our coal-mining industry and restore our North-South rail-link.   Oh . . . hang on again . . . The Tories closed our coal-mines in the 1980s.

     Wonder what May’s General Election will bring - or take away . . . ?

Archie Lowe

archie.lowe@laughingdragons.co.uk

Saturday, 6th February, 2010.

February 6th, 2010


Wealthy At Last!

     Wales is a wealthy country – official!   It must be true, too, because it was a claim made by the Westminster government’s Welsh Secretary.   And he couldn’t be mistaken, could he?   So rejoice in all those riches.

     Peter Hain even represents a Welsh constituency, so he really has a grip on what’s happening in our land.

     Nearly every weekend, I report job losses in Wales.   Clearly Mr. Hain doesn’t read my “Weekend Wales-Watch”.   He insists on reminding us that there are still lots of jobs here in what seems to be his domain.

     Not to worry – my instincts tell me that Peter Hain should be as worried about losing his job in a couple of months as so many of our people have been for a very long time now.

 

Addicted To Vanity?

     A 27-year old bloke from Llanharry has at last admitted to being addicted to building up a tan on these wretched sunbeds.

     The impending laws governing sunbed-use must be observed totally.   Not only are they part of the selfish vanity which we have been taught to accept, but they cause – yes, cause – major health problems, not least of which is skin-cancer.

     Nevertheless, the things are not yet completely outlawed.   Or is there no political party which really cares about we who may, or may not, choose to vote it into power?

    

Happy Birthday

     One-hundred-and-fifty years ago, the Mid-Wales newspaper The Cambrian News burst into life.   Since then, statisticians have lost count of the wonderful and often-amusing errors made by its proof-readers.

     A friend of mine who used to write for the paper remembers well a couple of glaring “corrections” made to his impeccably typed articles.   One concerned a couple of reverend gentlemen who visited Bedd Taliesin, a Bronze Age grave to the North of Aberystwyth.   They enjoyed their visit and had a little drink whilst viewing the site.   One of ‘em, drunk as a lord, toppled over and fell into the grave.   He was described by the proof-reader as “a person no less”.   Well, there are still a lot of persons about.

     And, once, he described the paper as “this august journal” which was altered into “this August journal”.   Well, long may the old paper stumble along, mistakes and all – and may it be published throughout the year, not just for one month in Summer.

 

Sidestepping The Issue

      Lembit Opik is an MP who seems to attract a lot of publicity one way or another.   Montgomery’s favourite has managed to avoid having had to pay back nine-hundred quid which he had claimed for mobile phone calls.

     There are still twenty-six Welsh MPs who have to pay back a sum total of over sixty-grand.   So that’s alright, then.

     We must keep an eye on Lembit and his colleagues, mustn’t we?

 

Real Conservation Measures

     Some years ago, the Red Kite was an endangered species.   I well remember that Royal Marines were employed to guard nest against egg-thieves who stole them for Eastern potentates.   Oddly enough, the thieves seemed to find other work when the Marines moved in!

     But we still have to look after our famous kites.   Please have a look at http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8467000/8467969.stm   There you will see a practical way in which these lovely birds have been helped.

Archie Lowe

archie.lowe@laughingdragons.co.uk

Saturday, 23rd January, 2010.

January 23rd, 2010


Hearing Is Not Quite Believing!

     There was a most interesting occupation mentioned on Radio Wales this week.   The young lady being interviewed was a “Money Psychologist”.

     The imported idea of giving silly job titles came to Britain over forty years ago.   If you call someone a “Rest-room Operative”, it sounds better than being a Lavatory Cleaner.   Thus, the worker is made to feel as if s/he has status – though the pay will remain the same.

     Anyway, the Money Psychologist made some interesting observations.   The sum total of her well-studied research seemed to be that “People like to have money”.

     Well, who’d have thought it?

 

Where Are We?

     A serial set “in the shadow of the Long Mynd” has just started on BBC Radio 7.   The accents of the actors pretending to be Welsh are from almost all over Wales, from The Valleys to Anglesey.

     I’m prepared to accept that the area could be full of immigrants from those places.   But there’s not a local Marches accent among them.

     I suppose a quick “look you” or an “indeed to goodness” is about all the BBC thinks it needs to create the sound of a whole nation.   And isn’t the Long Mynd in Shropshire?

 

Last Of The Line

     There’s an aging police-box down in Newport.   It’s the kind which features in Doctor Who’s adventures – a big blue one which the coppers long ago would use when they had no personal radios.

     Now, funds are being raised to restore the old box to its original glory.   Just goes to show the effect that a telly-series made in Wales has on popular imagination.

     Makes one feel quite patriotic!

 

At What Cost?

     Holyhead is going to receive one-hundred-and-fifty shiny new jobs!

     Tesco is the philanthropic company which is to create those jobs.   The firm is going to build a massive new shopping area there, car-park and all.

     What the statistics don’t reveal is how many locally-owned small shops will have to close in the town when Tesco opens.   Nor do they show whether there’ll be more local jobs lost that gained.

     Oh – and ‘tis said that the new project was approved at “an extraordinary meeting of the local Council”.   Yeah – I’ll bet it was extraordinary . . .

Archie Lowe

archie.lowe@laughingdragons.co.uk

Saturday, 16th January, 2010.

January 16th, 2010


 There’s A Brighter Side

     The weather – always a good topic to attract readers’ attention – has been pretty difficult to handle in recent days.   Thank goodness, say I, that the nice Mr. Brown in Westminster has been so reassuring about supplies of grit.   That’ll be of great comfort to people who live down side-lanes – only major routes have been kept (more-or-less) clear across Wales.

     Our difficulties shrank to insignificance, though, when it was reported that Melbourne, Australia, has just had its hottest night since 1902.   Just think what those poor little Aussies, some of them of Welsh ancestry, had to go through:  lots of ‘em had to spend the night sleeping on the beach!

 

A Bit Of Common Sense

     Far be it from me to criticise young people.   As I travel about Wales, I meet some very fine youngsters:  eager, caring and hopeful.   Yes, there is a minority who have no discipline – ‘twas ever thus.

      But it seems to be an in-thing among the dafter youngsters to believe that a healthy-looking tan, however unhealthily it is gained, is a good thing.

     Congratulations, then, to a Welsh MP, Julie Morgan (Cardiff North) whose Private Member’s Bill seeks to ban under-18s from using sun-beds.

     Cancer is caused by their use.

     Oh – and Nicola Roberts of ‘Girls Aloud’ is backing the ban, too.

     May I suggest that, as an alternative to sun-beds – not only young people but also the woolly-minded in general get out of the house more and earn a healthy complexion in the normal way?

 

I’m All Shook Up

     Well, a-bless-a my soul, etcetera.   I’ve only just heard the news!   It seems that there will be an Elvis Impersonators Festival this year right here in Wales.

     As I – with my finger on so many pulses – have only just got a letter from the mailman about it, I still don’t know where it will be held nor when.

     A good venue could be on the slopes of Plynlimmon Fawr, Ceredigion.   On the Plynlimmon Pass (A44 road) as you head West from Llangurig, you will see on your right a special memorial to The King.   It says simply “Elvis”, and has stood the test of time – and punk-era vandalism – since 1958 or thereabouts.

     The word has been repainted a few times, but it still tells of the mighty influence Presley had – and still has – on both pop-music and on young people when he first erupted onto the scene.

     As soon as I have details of the Festival, I will pass them on in this column.

 

Helping Our Last Remaining Industry

     You will have heard that Bosch intends to shut shop in Cardiff next year.   The firm is relocating in Hungary, where labour is cheap.   Nine hundred Welsh jobs will disappear.

     The only industry which seems likely to survive in Wales is farming.   And that industry is in a woeful state.   We must try to support our hard-working farmers and their families by buying local produce locally, of course.

     Meantime, please spare a thought for our Minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones.   The proposed badger-cull is going ahead.   Ms. Jones had the thankless task of being a party to sanctioning the killing of these creatures.   Protest groups – mainly comprising English middle-class do-gooders plus a whole gang of Estuary-English speaking supporters – are furious at the news.

     However, the balance of evidence points to badgers spreading bovine TB, and that disease can ruin Welsh milk-production among other things.

     I would not like to be in Elin’s shoes – or wellies – at this time.

Archie Lowe

archie.lowe@laughingdragons.co.uk

Saturday, 9th January, 2010.

January 9th, 2010


Winter Wonders

     Perhaps this should be headed “True Grit”, but I avoided that!   For, in fact, there’s pretty little grit – true or otherwise – in the whole of Wales.

     That is how well-prepared our Councils were for what was to come.   Well, Councillors all, what was to come is called “Winter”.   That’s the time when it gets colder and we often have what is called “snow and ice”.

     Y’know, I reckon that, before any person stands for election in a County Council election, that person should have to answer a questionnaire which includes the problem “Name the seasons of the Welsh year” and its rider “Describe the prevalent weather conditions which traditionally occur in those seasons”.

     Mind you, we should be told before we go and excitedly vote for any of them if they enjoy Council banquets . . .

 

The Cold Truth

     Gosh – my headings are so predictable, aren’t they?!

     Well, anyway, on my travels this week, I visited a fair-sized Welsh holiday town.   I went into three shops in that beside-the-seaside place.   Two of them felt a bit chilly.

     Chatting with shop-assistants in those two shops, I was told that there was no heating on in those establishments.   The temperature in each one was certainly lower than the legal requirement.   In each case, I asked if the employees had spoken with their boss about the situation.

     They had not.

     I asked them what their Union rep. had said about the situation.

     They were not members of any Trades Union.

     Those polite and smiling shop-assistants both gave the same retort to my questions:  “Can’t complain – at least I’ve got a job.”

     You will see now what great joy this long-lasting financial Slump is bringing to the boss-classes . . .

 

Fuel For Thought

     At Tai Elen Glyn – sheltered accommodation for older people in Llandwrog, Caernarfon – the central-heating system went off recently.   The system had run out of oil.

    The OAPs had to wrap themselves up very well indeed and use hot-water bottles.   These people belong to a group which is often labelled “vulnerable”.

     The charity-owned accommodation is managed by Tai Eryri, whose office is just up the road from the suffering pensioners.   Tai Eryri provided convector-heaters in the emergency.   Of course, the heaters were very well packed.   It took the residents a whole morning to get the things out of their packing.

     Along with the potential Council members mentioned above, should we – the ordinary people of Wales – not insist that anyone involved in running such a project should have enough brains to check the oil supply before this cold weather arrived?

     Let us not be complacent.   Let us poke our noses where they are not wanted – even into the running of charities.

 

Our Boys In Blue

     Well done the Lib-Dems in using the Freedom of Information Act to let us know that North Wales police ran up a £750K bill for hire-cars.

     That money belongs to the people who pay their Council Tax.   Why was the information not made public by the police themselves?   It’s not as if it was confidential info concerning crooks, is it?

     Anyway, if you’re up in the Gogledd and you see a posh private car chasing you, beware – it could be full of our boys in blue!

 

A Great Entertainer

     I’ve always enjoyed the antics of Welsh comic Stan Stennett.   His brand of daft humour appeals to most people.

     Now a septuagenarian, Stan is taking part in his sixty-second pantomime.   He’s playing the fool – what else? – as Billy in ‘Snow White’ in Penarth.

     If you’ve never seen Stan work and can get to the show, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.   Keep on keeping on, Stan bach!

 

Another Reminder

     Regular readers (sound like a proper journalist, don’t I?) will have read that this column is moving soon.   I shall let everyone know the new Interweb address in good time, so keep looking out for that.

     Even when that happens, I shall continue to publish my deathless prose as a Google blog.   Give it a try and Bookmark the link:

     http://cid-ba857e62c7fa96d5.spaces.live.com/?lc=1033

     Meantime, don’t forget you can contact me at the e-mail address I give in my signature-block below.

Archie Lowe

archie.lowe@laughingdragons.co.uk

Saturday, 2nd January, 2010.

January 2nd, 2010


Home Thoughts From Abroad

     As I drove, I had to listen to BBC Radio Four, from London, on Long Wave.   With a bad signal just the other side of Offa’s Dyke, even Radio Wales on AM failed me.   And I heard a strange item.

     There are, according to the report, people in Mother England who are quite happy to pay £2.50 for a loaf of bread.

     I’ll repeat that:  two-pounds-fifty for a loaf of bread!

     That’s because it’s “special bread” (by which the English voices meant it was a status symbol).

     The same voices tried to justify the expense by telling us that, though cheap bread bought by poorer families will fill their children’s bellies, it is not as nutritious – nor as tasty – as the two-and-a-half-quid stuff which they buy.   Ah – so that’s alright, then.

     We in Wales buy lots of “cheap bread”.   Our economy does not allow us the choice.   I can just imagine those same, middle-class English voices asking the Festive Season question:  “I wonder how the poor people spend Christmas . . . ?”

 

Early Sales

     Well, most of the poor people went to the Sales over the Christmas break.   Retailers are reporting good results – Cardiff has, apparently, had a bumper time.

     The main reason why so many people have gone shopping is simple:  VAT goes back to 17½% as from January.

     Of course, there is another reason which has been taught to us:  buy things you do not really need while you can get them cheap.

     One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to use charity- and pound-shops as much as I can (no change in my lifestyle there, then!), and to encourage other people to do the same.   Yes, I know that you can’t get everything you need in such establishments, but you can pop in and find out if they can supply your needs.

 

Message From On High

     Rarely do I find a cleric who comes up with words which appeal to me.   Organised religion, it seems, has lost its way quite a bit (bishops living in palaces when the Son of Man had no place to lay his head is an example).

     So how good it was that Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales, gave such an interesting sermon on Christmas Day.

     The Archbishop does not like cosy and sentimental versions of the Nativity, nor cuddly donkeys.   Such things, he told us, hide the true nature of Jesus.

    That there is no Biblical reference to Mary having to change her infant son’s nappies does not mean that she didn’t do so.   And – despite the carol which encourages us to believe the baby didn’t cry – I’ll bet poor old Joseph had a few sleepless nights.

     I say that not to mock Christianity – goodness knows, Christians themselves do a good job of that – but to point out that we seem to have prettified the whole Nativity story into something akin to a pretty fairy-tale.

     Thanks, Dr. Morgan, for bringing such things to our attention.   Will you continue to live in a posh palace, though?

 

Don’t Panic!

     The recent Wintry weather had effects all over our country.   This post-Christmas snow and ice seems to have caused more chaos than the one earlier this month.

     I heard that, in our bigger conurbations, there was a sudden shopping surge.   The one I mention here was not caused by the imminent – and iniquitous – re-introduction of the higher rate of VAT.   It was mainly men who created this rubbing of hands by shopkeepers.

     It seems that, with icy roads which slowed traffic on their way to work, they expected that the same – or worse – could happen on their way home.   So they spent their cash on things to put in their cars in case they were stranded in inclement weather conditions.

     In fact, most of the money was spent on chocolate, scarves and gloves, it seems.

     Now then, good people of Wales, is it not about time that we stopped doing spur-of-the-moment spending to prepare ourselves for emergencies?   In my car, I carry a pack to help me deal with unforeseen events all the year round.   It doesn’t take up much space, and it contains food (not all chocolate!) to last me a couple of days, a very small gas-stove to make a brew, and a spare pair of socks and the like.

     Let us set the example to the rest of the people living in these Isles and show ‘em that we in Wales have made preparations – in our homes as well as our cars – for things we are not expecting.   Should you need more info on how and why to do this, contact the.green.man@hotmail.co.uk .

     Have a good 2010.

Archie Lowe

archie.lowe@laughingdragons.co.uk

Saturday, 26th December, 2009.

December 26th, 2009


Finger On The March

     A bit of our dear old Welsh saint, Winefride, has been kept up in Holywell for many moons.   Now, it’s going to be displayed in Conway for all to see.

     Winefride was, according to Christian-inspired legend, a virgin (weren’t they all back in the mists of time?).   She spurned the advanced of a bloke attempting seduction, for which he cut off her head.   Along comes her uncle, Beuno, and sticks it back on again.   “Thanks, Uncle Beuno”, are the words I believe Winefride said after the restoration.

     In fact, the good lady is an ancient water-goddess who the Roman missionaries “converted” to Christianity for their own propaganda purposes.   Therefore, many of us suspect that the bit of finger-bone alleged to be Winefride’s couldn’t be hers – pagan goddesses seem to have been sprites and spirits rather than being flesh and bone.

     Mind you, at one time the Vatican claimed to have a bit of Jesus’ body.   I will give you a clue to what it was.   Your will know that he was brought up as a good Jewish boy.   And that the Jewish tradition practices circumcision . . .

     Funny thing, religion.

 

More Watery Tales

     Now then, if those Christian missionaries way back then had left well alone, Winefride may have been able to help lots of people here in Wales over the Festive Season.

     Surprise, surprise – Winter brought cold weather.   There was a thing called “frost”.   And completely unique things happened:  this frost thing caused . . . burst pipes!

     Yes, it surprised me as much as it surprised the water-companies.   Up in Flintshire, for instance, thousands of people were without domestic water-supplies over Christmas.   People in Holywell (see above!) were among them.

     All over Wales, pipes burst and hundreds more people were unable to turn on the tap and make a cuppa.

     Perhaps we should remember that – despite the Climate Crisis and Global Warming – Winters in Wales can still be harsh.   As individuals, we must learn to prepare our homes for such emergencies – and emergencies of all kinds.

 

Nevertheless

     Water plays a big part in our lives.   And burst mains did not – could not – prevent water-worshippers (Friends of Winefride?) doing something which brings to mind the phrase “They ain’t all locked up yet”.

     Did I really hear a report that hundreds of terminally daft people went for the now-traditional Christmas Day swim down in Porthcawl?   Some of ‘em, it is alleged, wore fancy-dress.   Whether this was to give them protection against the cruel sea or to disguise who they were so that neighbours wouldn’t avoid them when they got home the report did not say.

     Fair play, though – it was done to raise lots of money for charities.   And each swimmer was presented with a commemorative mug – as if they didn’t seem enough like mugs!

     Nobody froze, nobody drowned, and most of ‘em wore smiles.   If that’s what being daft is all about, then let’s have more of it right across Wales.

     Well done, you brave and barmy people!

Archie Lowe

archie.lowe@laughingdragons.co.uk  

Saturday, 19th December, 2009.

December 19th, 2009


Buy, Buy, Buy – And Borrow!

     Well, the Festive Season is in full force.   Mind you, the earliest reported “Christmas goods” on sale in Wales was at the end of August!

     Our shopkeepers are hoping for a big boost in retail profits over the next couple of weeks, then come the January sales.

     I trust you, like myself, will support your locally-owned retail outlets and let the big boys – owned by goodness-knows-who – sort things out for their international selves.

     The pressure’s on us – the ordinary people of Wales – to spend as much cash as possible.   And this is at this time when we’re also being reminded of the birth of Jesus in a lowly stable and of his living a life which was not that of a moneyed person.   Why does that Biblical phrase keep coming into my head:  “The love of money is the root of all evil”?

     To cope with all our extra spending, we have been carefully encouraged to go into debt.   “The money has to come from somewhere” the money-lenders impress upon us.   And we mugs fall for it.   Buy now, pay later and all that.

     So, even in these financially tough times, we stay well away from Christmasses and Solstice celebrations and whatever else we enjoy which do not involve materialism.   What happened to simple goodwill and love and happy chats around the fireside?   Has this Slump taught us nothing?

 

Repercussions

     It seems that my report last week about the immigrant lady querying the use of a Welsh name in a “Guess The Name Of The Teddy Bear” competition set a few hares running.

     A friend of mine passed the story on to a Plaid Cymru Assembly Member.   She replied that she didn’t know what to say, but thanked me for highlighting it.

     A transatlantic friend of mine reminded me of the struggle of French speakers in Quebec.   They argued that, as the majority of people in that Province were first-language French, then that language should be made the first language of Quebec.   It was a long and hard-fought battle.   But the French-speakers won.

     I am not suggesting that Cymraeg is the majority-language here in Wales.   But should we not be doing a lot more to let the world – and those who wish to move here (or are here already) – that it is a living, vibrant language?   We cannot let them wallow in their ignorance!

 

How Clever Are We?

     A good point was made to me recently by a friend who lives in Cardiff.   He is a Welsh patriot, and feels that our Assembly – if it is to become anything – must be granted more powers.

     “The Westminster bunch won’t even let us make our own laws without vetting them first,” he said.   “Seems to me that MPs think we Welsh are too stupid to run our own affairs.”

     Then a grin spread across his face.

     “But, of course,” he smiled, “Wales has, at least, it’s own embryo government.   Westminster rates our intelligence higher than that of the English – they haven’t even got their own Assembly yet!”

     Nadolig Llawen!

Archie Lowe

archie.lowe@laughingdragons.co.uk
ambien during breastfeeding ambien during labor ambien during nursing ambien during pregnancy ambien during pregnancy safe ambien dwi attorney orange county ca ambien dwu attorney orange county ca ambien early labor ambien eat sleep ambien eater sleep ambien eating ambien eating cooking ambien eating sleep ambien effect ambien effect on etoh level ambien effect side ambien effective time ambien effects ambien effects brain ambien effects from side ambien effects insomnia side ambien effects long side term ambien effects long side term use ambien effects long term ambien effects loss memory side ambien effects medication side ambien effects on cats ambien effects pregnancy ambien effects side ambien elderly side effects ambien electronics ambien eminem ambien empty stomach ambien enlarged prostate ambien entertainment ambien eq ambien equipment exercise ambien equivalent ambien equivalent imovane ambien equivalent imovane effects ambien equivalent imovane effects side ambien equivalent imovane effects side dose ambien er ambien erectile dysfunction ambien erfahrung ambien erowid ambien euphoria ambien exercise equipment ambien experience ambien experiences ambien expert sleep tolerability ambien express shipping ambien extended release ambien facts ambien fainting ambien false positive ambien false positive benzodiazepam ambien faq ambien faq findlaw for the public ambien fast ambien fda ambien fda approved ambien fda recommendation ambien fda warning ambien fed ex ambien fed ex dhl ups ambien fed ex shipping ambien federal express overnight delivery ambien federal regulation ambien fedex ambien fedex delivery ambien fedex overnight ambien fedex overnight delivery ambien fedex shipping ambien female hair loss ambien fibromyalgia ambien flash hot ambien flomax ambien flush from system ambien flying ambien fog ambien food ambien for 49 95 ambien for anxiety ambien for brain injury ambien for cats ambien for ccatt ambien for chronic insomnia ambien for dogs ambien for fliers ambien for flyers ambien for free ambien for insomnia ambien for menopausal insomnia ambien for pain ambien for sale ambien for sale in usa ambien for sale next day delivery ambien for sale no prescription ambien for sale online ambien for sleep ambien for sleep disorders ambien for sleep pain ambien for suicide ambien forgetting ambien formulary ambien forum ambien forums ambien fraud ambien free ambien free consultation ambien free ofer ambien free offer ambien free overnight ambien free overnight shipping ambien free prescription us licensed ambien free sample ambien free samples ambien free shipping ambien free trail ambien free trial ambien from canada ambien from canadian drug store ambien from canadian pharmacies ambien from eu pharmacies ambien from mexico ambien from us pharmacies ambien from withdrawal ambien full prescribing information label pdf ambien fun ambien gaba ambien generic ambien generic ambien generic zolpidem ambien generic brand ambien generic date ambien generic drug ambien generic fda approval ambien generic from india appearance ambien generic is it as good ambien generic name ambien generic online ambien generic online order ambien generic pills order free ambien generic pillstore ambien generic substitute ambien generic zolpidem ambien generics ambien get off ambien getting prescription ambien ghb ambien gift ambien gift viagra ambien gifts ambien gms ambien gneric ambien goes generic ambien going generic ambien goldclubmeds ambien good bad ambien groups ambien habit ambien habit forming ambien hair loss ambien half life ambien hallucination ambien hallucinations ambien ham modem driver ambien hangover ambien have sex ambien haze ambien head injury ambien headache ambien headaches ambien health ambien health risks ambien healthboards ambien heart disease ambien heart failure ambien heart problems ambien heavy dosage ambien heavy legs ambien help ambien hep c ambien herbal ambien high ambien high blood pressure ambien high lasts ambien high lasts how long ambien history ambien home belair ambien home belair md ambien home page ambien horror stories ambien horror story ambien how it works ambien how long to work ambien href ambien hungover mornings cymbalta adderall ambien husbands sex ambien hydrocodone xanax ambien hypertension ambien hypnotic drug effects ambien hypnotics ambien identify ambien image ambien imitrex ambien imovane comparison ambien import laws ambien impotence ambien in canada ambien in drug test ambien in drug tests ambien in early pregnancy ambien in labor ambien in liver disease ambien in newborns ambien in pregnancy ambien in pregnant women ambien in thailand ambien in the best pharmacy online ambien in the brain injury patient ambien in the ghb family ambien in the icu ambien in the news ambien in the u s ambien in traumatic brain injury ambien in urine drug screen ambien in urine screen ambien in urine testing ambien in us without prescription ambien incontinence ambien incontinence sleep apnea ambien increase appetite ambien increased anxiety ambien india ambien ineffective ambien ineffectiveness ambien info ambien information ambien information from drugs com ambien ingredient ambien ingredients ambien initial clinical trials ambien injection ambien insert information ambien insert package ambien insomnia ambien insomnia prescription ambien insomnia side effects ambien interaction ambien interaction alcolhol ambien interaction oxycodone ambien interactions ambien interactions benedryl ambien international online ambien internet pharmacies ambien is a dangerous drug ambien is effecive ambien is effective ambien is generic ambien is great ambien is the best ambien is wonderful ambien italy ambien jetlag ambien jetlag uk ambien jokes ambien keyword ambien klonopin ambien klonpin interaction ambien knock out dosage ambien la date d ambien labor ambien laser pen ambien latest side effects ambien law suit ambien law suit ohio ambien law suits ambien laws ambien lawsuit ambien lawsuit driving ambien lawsuit driving massachusetts ambien lawsuits ambien lawsuits hear attacks ambien lawyer ambien lawyers ambien lawyers nj ambien ld 50 ambien ld50 ambien leathal dose ambien legal ambien lethal ambien lethal dose ambien lethal dose human ambien lethal dose of aspirin ambien lexapro ambien libido sex remember ambien librement ambien light ambien like ghb ambien line ambien litigation ambien liver ambien login sleeping pills zolpidem ambien ambien long ambien long term ambien long term effects ambien long term side affects ambien long term side effects ambien long term use ambien long term use side effects ambien long-term side effects ambien looks like ambien loss memory ambien low cost ambien low price ambien lowest prescription price without ambien lowest price ambien lunesta ambien lunesta compare ambien lunesta or sonata ambien lunesta prescription vs ambien lunesta sleep ambien lunesta versus ambien lunesta vs ambien lunestra verse ambien lymph system ambien m357 ambien mail order ambien mail order drug stores ambien makes symptoms worse ambien male menopause ambien manufacturer ambien manufacturere ambien manufacturers ambien maoi ambien march 28 2006 ambien marijuana ambien mastercard overnight ambien mastercard overnight no prescription ambien max dosage ambien max dosages ambien max doses ambien maxid ambien maximum dosage ambien maximum dose ambien md ambien mechanism ambien mechanism of action ambien medical news ambien medicare ambien medication ambien medication pharmacy online ambien medication sleep ambien medications ambien medicine ambien medicine sleep ambien memorey loss ambien memory ambien memory impairment ambien memory lloss ambien memory loss ambien memory problems ambien mental illness ambien message board ambien message boards ambien metabolism ambien metallic taste ambien methadone ambien mexic ambien mexican pharmacy ambien mexico ambien mg ambien mg doses ambien migraine ambien mind ambien mixed with alcohol ambien mixed with caffeine effects ambien mode of action ambien monsanto sanofi ambien mornings cymbalta ambien mouth ambien multiple sclerosis encyclopaedia keyword ambien multiple sclerosis encyclopaedia keyword keyword ambien murder ambien muscle relaxer ambien music ambien narcolepsy dream all night ambien narcotic ambien ndc ambien negative side effects ambien neurological effects ambien neurons ambien neuropathy ambien neurotransmitter ambien new england journal medicine ambien new times york ambien new york lawsuit ambien news ambien news story ambien next day ambien next day air ambien next day delivery ambien next day side effects ambien nightly ambien no consultation fee ambien no online pharmacy prescription us ambien no online prescription ambien no perscription ambien no perscriptions ambien no prescription ambien no prescription 10mg ambien no prescription federal express ambien no prescription fedex ambien no prescription fedex overnight delivery ambien no prescription free overnight shipping ambien no prescription from canada ambien no prescription needed ambien no prescription overnight ambien no prescription overnight delivery ambien no prescription saturday delivery ambien no prior prescription ambien no rx ambien no rx fedex ambien no rx overnight ambien no script ambien non generic ordering ambien non prescription ambien normal dose ambien nose ambien not for insomnia ambien not for sale ambien not working ambien obstructive sleep apnea ambien odd behaviors ambien off ambien off shore ambien off taper ambien official site ambien oklahoma cod ambien on airline flights ambien on drug screen ambien on line ambien on line buy ambien on line consulatation overnight ambien on line fed ex ambien on line pharmacy online ambien on line prescription ambien on line-no perscription ambien on prescription cod ambien on sale ambien on the internet without prescription ambien onine ambien onlilne order cheap fast ambien online ambien online 90 ambien online ambien buy ambien ambien online ambien generic ambien online buy ambien online buy ambien without prescription ambien online buy zolpidem ambien online cheap ambien online consultatio ambien online consultation ambien online consultation sale ambien online description chemistry ingredients zolpidem ambien online discount ambien online europa ambien online europe ambien online fedex overnight ambien online in florida ambien online md prescription ambien online next day ambien online no prescription ambien online order ambien online order cheapest ambien online ordering ambien online orders ambien online overnight ambien online overnight delivery no prescription ambien online overnight delivery prescription ambien online overnight shipping fed ex ambien online overnight to florida ambien online overnigt shipping ambien online perscriptions ambien online pharmacy ambien online pharmacy buy ambien ambien online pharmacy discount ambien online pharmacy sale ambien online pharmacy without prescription ambien online phentermine purchase soma ambien online presciption ambien online prescription ambien online prescription saturday delivery ambien online prescriptions ambien online purchase ambien online questionaire ambien online questionnaire ambien online scam ambien online to germany ambien online without prescription ambien online zolpidem tartrate mastercard ambien or lunesta ambien or sonata ambien oral ingest time ambien order ambien order by mail ambien order no prescription ambien order online ambien order sites ambien ordering ambien otc ambien other sleep drugs ambien out in generic form ambien out of the system ambien over night delivery ambien over the counter ambien over-the-counter ambien overdose ambien overdose 60 mg ambien overdose amount ambien overdose contraindications and information zolpidem ambien overdose death ambien overdose during pregnancy ambien overdose kidney liver ambien overdose liver ambien overdose mortality dosage ambien overdose snorting ambien overdose suicide ambien overdose symptom ambien overdose symptoms ambien overdose treatment ambien overdoses ambien overnight ambien overnight and saturday delivery ambien overnight canada ambien overnight canada delivery ambien overnight collect on delivery ambien overnight delivery ambien overnight delivery free consultation ambien overnight fedex priority delivery saturday ambien overnight from us online pharmacies ambien overnight in united states ambien overnight no prescription ambien overnight no prescription fedex ambien overnight no prescriptions india ambien overnight no rx ambien overnight prescription ambien overnight saturday delivery ambien overnight shipping ambien overnight ups ambien overnight us pharmarcies no prescription ambien oversears ambien overseas ambien overseas pharmacy ambien overview findlaw for the public ambien package insert ambien package inset ambien painting sleep ambien pak ambien pakistan ambien pancreatic cancer ambien parody ambien party ambien patent ambien patent date ambien patent expiration ambien patent expired ambien patent generic ambien patent number ambien patient assistance ambien patient assistance program ambien pdr ambien pediatrics ambien people magazine ambien people taking ambien percocet interaction ambien persciption ambien perscriptions ambien perscriptions on line ambien pharmacological action ambien pharmacology ambien pharmacy ambien pharmacy online ambien pharmacy online consultation ambien pharmacy overnight ambien pharmalogical action ambien phone calls ambien photo ambien picture ambien picture about ambien pictures ambien pill ambien pill class ambien pill color 12.5 mg ambien pill rx sleeping ambien pill sample pics tawnee stone ambien pill sleeping ambien pillows ambien pills ambien pills generic free tablets ambien platelette problems ambien pliva 563 ambien pre-authorization ambien pregnancy ambien pregnancy category ambien pregnancy class ambien pregnant ambien prescribing ambien prescribing information ambien prescription ambien prescription carisoprodol ambien prescription drug ambien prescription drug price for 5mg ambien prescription online ambien prescription online american express ambien prescription online overnight us based ambien prescription purchase without ambien prescription refill online ambien prescription rules ambien prescription with overnight delivery ambien prescriptions ambien prescriptions online ambien priapism ambien price ambien price boards chongqed ambien price online qoclick ambien prices ambien prices reduction ambien primal defense ambien problem ambien problems ambien problems news ambien problems side effects ambien problems with memory ambien product ambien prosecution ambien prozac interaction ambien pulmonary ambien pulmonary tight chest ambien purchase ambien purchase online ambien qoclick shop ambien questions ambien rape ambien rash ambien re vs xanax ambien reactions ambien rebate ambien recreation ambien recreational ambien recreational use ambien refreshed ambien refreshed morning ambien refreshed mornings ambien related problems ambien related to gastric ulcers ambien reliable online purchase ambien rem sleep ambien remeron no prescription overnight ship ambien replacement ambien research findings ambien respiratory suppresion ambien respiratory suppression ambien restless leg syndrome ambien restoril ambien review ambien reviews ambien risk ambien risks ambien risks during last trimester ambien rock opera ambien roz ambien rozerem ambien rozerem vs ambien rss feed ambien rx ambien rx b ambien rx buy ambien online ambien rx pharmacy online ambien rx sleeping pill ambien rx without ambien rxlist ambien s ambien safe dose ambien safe for diabetic ambien safe for pregnancy ambien safe nursing prozac ambien safety reports ambien sale ambien sale over night shipping ambien sale overnight federal express ambien sale us pharmacy no prescription ambien sales ambien sales without prescription ambien sample ambien sample qoclick ambien samples ambien sanofi aventis ambien sanofi-aventis lunesta takeda ambien sanofi-aventis lunesta takeda side affects ambien saturday delivery ambien schedule ambien schedule iv ambien second trimester ambien sedation ambien seizure ambien seizures ambien serious side effects ambien seritonin ambien serotonin ambien serotonin syndrome ambien settlement janet makinen ambien sex ambien sex life ambien sex or sexual remember ambien sex sleep ambien sex stories ambien sex wife ambien sexual side effects ambien sexual side effects hard erections ambien shape ambien shipped by fed x ambien shipped cod ambien shop ambien showing on drug test ambien sic ambien side ambien side affect ambien side affects ambien side effect ambien side effect odor ambien side effects ambien side effects 32 ambien side effects and warnings ambien side effects emotional depression ambien side effects eye pain ambien side effects fda ambien side effects gastric ulcer ambien side effects hallucinations ambien side effects in elderly ambien side effects libido ambien side effects long term ambien side effects mood ambien side effects other meds ambien side effects problems ambien side effects pulmonary ambien side effects pulmonary tight chest ambien side effects tinnitus ambien side effects truth serum ambien side efffects ambien sideaffects ambien sideeffects ambien sinovial ambien sinus melatonin ambien sirius ambien sirius commercial ambien site ambien size and color of pills ambien skelaxin ambien skin care ambien skin crawling ambien skin irritation ambien skin problems ambien sleep ambien sleep 8 hours ambien sleep after surgery ambien sleep aid ambien sleep aid side affects ambien sleep aids ambien sleep apnea ambien sleep disorders ambien sleep driving ambien sleep driving massachusetts lawsuit ambien sleep duration ambien sleep eating ambien sleep ing pill ambien sleep medication ambien sleep medicine ambien sleep meds ambien sleep pill ambien sleep product ambien sleep sex ambien sleep shopping ambien sleep tabs ambien sleep talking ambien sleep walk ambien sleep walk drie ambien sleep walk drive ambien sleep walk drive sex ambien sleep walking ambien sleep walking stories ambien sleeping ambien sleeping aid ambien sleeping mdicine ambien sleeping medication ambien sleeping medicine on line online ambien sleeping pill ambien sleeping pill effects ambien sleeping pill pharmacy online