Ticket to Ride!

Well, our tickets for Lido di Jesolo came through today and we can't wait to get out there, although we still have a while to go yet, but the excitement is building rapidly. 15km of beach right there, what more can you say?

I've been told the local mosquito population are quite ferocious, but I'm not going to let that concern me too much, they seem to go for certain people rather than others, and I've decided that I'm not their type.

I've also read on the net, that you can travel straight into Venice from Lido di Jesolo, by boat, which we're really looking forward to doing, then getting the "Vaporetto" along the Grand Canal. The only drawback being that there's just so many things we want to see in Venice, a single trip is unlikely to be sufficient.

One concern I have is with an issue we just don't have here in the UK. Our hotel is going to have a waiter service in the evenings, and as with dining out while there, I'm uncertain as to the Italian perspective on tipping. Do Italian waiters expect to be tipped, and if so, how much? I know it's something they go for in the US and on the continent, but we just don't do it here in the UK. If anyone knows what the story is, please post a comment to let me know!

Did Mayans Anticipate Pole-shift?

Today, my bother and I were discussing the impending pole-shift which according to many scientists is imminent. Analysis has shown that an event of this type occurs roughly every quarter million years and that at present the Earth's magnetic field is fading fast, suggesting that it's already happening.

Other than having to deal with North becoming South and vice versa, a flipping of the magnetic field could have far more catastrophic effects for mankind, but would it be more dangerous than George Bush? Now there's a question! The magnetic field surrounding the Earth protects us from the radioactive rays emanating from the Sun. Exposure to those rays could at best leave us quite burned, at worst, wipe us out potentially.

So, what can we do about it? Absolutely nothing, that's what! We don't have the technology to deal with a global catastrophe, we can barely deal with localised disasters. Doomsayers will no doubt talk about Nostradamus who prophesied whatever you want him to have, but more significantly the Mayan calendar which predicted the World's end on Sunday, December 23rd 2012. Ah well, all good things come to an end! What am I saying? We've made a right arse of this planet! Maybe next time we'll do better!

Moses Rewrites History to Forge A Nation!

I had an interesting conversation with a family member the day before last. No names! It was one of those conversations where neither side will ever see the others viewpoint, because we were discussing a religious matter. A matter where I'm always sceptical, and discussing the subject with someone who has "faith" is pretty pointless, but I seem to enjoy sowing the seeds of doubt, where I can. There's no logic in faith, and I'm a logical person. It strikes me that fervent religious beliefs are associated with distinct irrationality, and there's nothing worse than people who are completely irrational.

Anyway, I digress, the subject was simple enough, the validity of the Bible and in this instance the Old Testament. I put forward the assertion (which seems as plain as day to me) that the Jews were simply a nomadic people in former times, shepherds mainly, with no cultural identity or history. I indicated, that Moses who had found himself in a powerful position in Egypt, had sought to unite the Jews, but in order to do so, it was required that they have some sort of heritage to claim. His position within the Egyptian Royal family allowed him to access the massive library at Alexandria, where he gathered up fragments of history from various ancient cultures, such as the Sumerians, and set about drafting a history of the Jews.

Next up, on liberating the captive Jews of Egypt, he had to find a homeland for them, Canaan sounded like a good bet. God ordered the Jews to kill everyone in their way, all those people who were occupying the land that belonged to them by divine right. Shame, nothing's changed in 3000 odd years has it?

So, the outcome of this assertion? Well, apparently I'll change my mind when I'm dangling over the flames. I don't think so, life's for living. I'm not the one obssessed with the end of the World, hellfire and brimstone, and so forth. This isn't the Middle Ages anymore, I though most civilized people had realised that that crap was only a tool employed by the Church to keep the masses at bay! Seems like so many people still haven't been raised from their native ignorant darkness!

Don't Save Me, Save Yourself!

How many times have you heard it, "You need to be Saved!" or "You have to let Jesus into your heart!" or something along those lines. I've heard it so many times. Well, you know what, don't worry about me, my conscience is clear. The only people who believe in being saved, are those who are looking for some sort of backdoor into heaven. They've done bad stuff in the past, then with one stroke it's all forgotten about and the way ahead is clear. There are of course those who buy into the idea because they're easily led by stronger personalities, weak willed people, of whom there are so many.

Well, my ideas of what comes after don't require any priests churches or self-appointed zealots to show me the way. I concur with the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, which Buddhist philosophy is also akin to. On the day of judgement I expect to stand upon the scales of justice, look back on my life and decide whether I'm worthy. You see how that works, there is no way of erasing wht you've done, what's done is done, accept it! You always had a choice between right and wrong, and if you chose to follow the wrong path, then I'm afraid no-one can save you.

Christianity provides such a convenient system, that's why ex-cons frequently seek refuge in religion, not because they've found God, not because they're remorseful, but because those people tell them that they can wipe the slate clean for them, and once accepted, those same people will tell you how that ex-con is a good person really, they were possessed by demons or something when they did the bad stuff. Sure... It's not demons, it's DNA. Not only DNA, but Materialism as well. Get the combination right, and you find people willing to do anything to get what they want, including being saved if necessary!

Eco-friendly Travel In the 21st Century!

The car has always been a must have luxury since the very first model hit the roads... and yet I continually find myself asking, why? My current sardine tin with wheels is a 1997 Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 LS, which I've had for just over 3 years and I've replaced virtually every part of it. Today, with my father's assistance, I had to replace the petrol tank. It took us from 9:30am till after 8pm, because you can't simply remove the petrol tank, first the exhaust has to come off, then the suspension has to be dropped.

Surely, in the 21st Century, a better mode of transport can be devised. Ideally, I want to be able to step into a pod outside my front gate and instantly reappear at the location of my choice, because:

• Travelling takes too long
• Travelling is uncomfortable
• Travelling alone is boring
• Travelling with others is annoying
• Cars are unreliable, costly and non-eco-friendly
• Roads are unreliable, costly and un-eco-friendly

They should scrap cars altogether and introduce a new form of transport, something that's free, green, fast and comfortable. I'm sure it could be done, and I'm sure I know why it won't be done, because the greater good doesn't interest oil companies or the government, only money interests them, and their eco-friendly pretence is so transparent. For starters, any form of free or cheap energy will mean a loss in income for oil companies, that's not going to happen. Any form of free or cheap energy will mean a loss in income for the goverment, from the huge amount they gather from both crude oil and at the pumps. Not going to happen. They call for cheaper and cleaner fuels, then tell us we'll have to pay more for that, it's ridiculous. Aeroplanes are bad for the planet, but if you give us more money, that should fix the problem.

I'll Have A Pizza That Francesco!

So, yesterday I discovered, and today confirmed, that not only have I passed my degree in Computer Science, but I have also achieved a distinction! It took a lot of hard work, and after the first semester, when I told our Course Leader that a distinction was what I was aiming for, he said that that it would be next to impossible. But, I knew that I could do it if I worked hard enough, and I feel more than vindicated in saying so, now that I have. I'm not sure what it means in real terms, other than indicating I'm slightly superior mentally (heh), don't know if I'll get an award to show that achievement or whatever.

Well, Hot Fuzz is out on dvd today, so that's what I'll be watching tonight. I have been (reliably? not sure about that!) informed that it's much better than Shaun Of the Dead, which I found fairly amusing, but I can see how it might not be so well appreciated beyond the shores of this Isle we call Brittania!

This morning we took a drive up to Inverness to acquire some Summer clothing, for our impending holiday in Lido di Jesolo. The kids are very excited about the prospect, as am I, having visted Northern Italy as a 10 year old, I can't wait for my return visit, and I'm especially looking forward to visiting Venice, even if it's just for a day! Ever since I watched Francesco da Mosto in "Italy, Head to Toe", I've been itching to visit Venice. It's great to see someone so passionate about their culture. Well, I must admit that Tomb Raider 2 has also inspired me to visit, but I hope not to be chased across the Rialto by Marco Bartoli's henchmen with their cudgels and Doberman Pinchers!

This Spartan Existence!

Better late than never I suppose, I finally saw 300 last night. I've been meaning to catch it for a while, but other things always seemed to get in the way. It was a bit slow in getting started, but when the battle scenes finally came, they were well worth it. I don't usually appreciate historic license, such as Mel Gibson often resorts to (Braveheart and The Patriot. Not to mention The Passion Of the Christ and Apocalypto), but in the case of 300 it merely added to the stunning visual banquet on offer. For the most part anyway, the central theme did run true to the historic narration.

I've often stated in the past, how I believe that every myth has at least a germ of truth in it, and modern people would rationalise the events of the Battle of Thermopylae and suppose that historians always exaggerated figures to lend greater credence to events, but there is little doubt that the battle happened, and pretty much as shown in the film (one would hope).

But, as I write this I see from some reviews that 300 hasn't been so warmly welcomed in the Middle-East, particularly by Iranians, in what was formerly Persia, who think the film is propaganda for action against them by the Americans. For me the film shouldn't be taken in a modern context, other than demonstrating that death is better than the loss of freedom, and in that respect it's us British and American citizens who are presently being subjugated by the constant withering away of our civil liberties. In the War On Terror, everyone must make a sacrifice for the New World Order!

The Science Of the Dead!

A year ago or so, I was watching a documentary on TV, which really made me stop and think at the time, and since I'm harking back to it now, I'm obviously still thinking about it. The subject matter discussed the personalities the likes of: Alexander Graham Bell, Guglielmo Marconi, Thomas Edison, John Logie Baird and many others besides, and seemed to suggest that although each of them had invented devices which we take for granted nowadays, their reasons for doing so were quite different to those which we now put them!

It was suggested that each of these esteemed scientists and many of their peers and predecessors were obsessed with making contact with the dead, or rather capturing the voices of the dead, and that each one of them believed that the devices they had designed might enable them to achieve that end.

You see, science never really ever achieves the ends for which it is intended, and most great discoveries are either accidental or coincidental, and often scientific research and design travel under the guise of something else, such as Bell's insistence that he was working on a device to aid the deaf. That wasn't what he was doing at all, but nobody would have funded his research had they known his true intentions. And, the outcome of his work was neither what he had hoped for, or indeed what he had claimed to be working towards. Nevertheless, where would we be without the phone, eh?

Just One Cornetto... Give It To Me!

Good news all round. Finally managed to get a holiday booked for July, and we're heading for Lido de Jesolo in Italy, for 2 weeks. Just the small matter of getting to Manchester Airport first, quite a journey. We looked at flying internally from Aberdeen to Manchester, but the cost of that was ridiculous, so we will be going via 3 trains, with an overnight stay at a hotel at Manchester Airport, on the way down and the way back. Not ideal, but from a simple economic viewpoint, in our case, essential!

The location is ideal really as we will be able to take day trips to Venice, Verona, Florence and Lake Garda, we'll have the beach if we want it, and a Water Park nearby I believe, always an essential on holiday! I believe that my final coursework and exam results are imminent also, as I've been reliably informed that, the examination board met yesterday. Fingers crossed I get the right results, or I'll have to rethink the whole rest of my life!

The Problems with the Crucifixion!

There are several issues I have with the Crucifixion story. Don't get me wrong, I'm not disputing it happened, it's just that certain key elements of the story don't add up, and any sort of minor investigation into the historical background of the event will quickly reveal what is wrong with the story, as it has come down to us.

The only problem in answering those key questions through a historical examination, is that those people who truly believe that Jesus died on the cross, to save us from our sins, don't want to know about anything other than what it says in the Bible. For them , the Bible is unassailable. They don't even care that most of it was probably concocted from fragments of stories more than a hundred years after the event, and that ever since it has been censored, edited, cut to ribbons and altered to suit various political and doctrinal agendas.

So, you ask, what problems do I have with the Crucifixion story, as a "rational" individaul capable of examining the story objectively. Well, if we rule out the suggestion that Jesus was the Son of God, and examine his situation as though he were a mere mortal man, then the issues become obvious:

• Why did Jesus die so quickly on the cross, when usually it took days to die?
• Why did Jesus appear to die immediately after having his lips soaked by the sponge containing vinegar, was it perhaps some sort of knock-out drug used instead?
• Why did blood pour from the wound in Jesus side, inflicted by a Roman soldier? Had he really been dead, he would not have bled so easily!
• Why was Jesus body taken down so quickly? Usually the body would have been left for a significant period of time, before removal from the cross.

The answers are not immediately apparent, but can be deduced quite easily. Firstly, crucifixions were public events, and the crucifxion of Jesus was no exception, only it took place in a private garden owned by Joseph of Arimathea, and any spectators were at some distance from the event.

Secondly, the Passover was used as a pretext for taking down the body of Jesus, and as such he had to appear to die quickly. The usual practice was to leave the condemned man on the cross until his chest began to collapse from supporting his own weight, at which point the knees would have been smashed, to bring a swift conclusion to the suffering. However, we can clearly see that it wasn't intended that Jesus should suffer such a fate, so his apparent death had to be brought on prematurely. Thus the application of the sponge. There were plenty drugs found naturally in Israel at that time, which when applied correctly could slow down someones heart-rate significantly enough to cause them to appear to be dead, and it seems that that is what happened. The bleeding from the spear wound suggests that he was quite alive as he was taken down and hurried to his tomb, where we can assume he was attended to throughout the night.

So why would such an event be orchestrated in the first place? Well, Jesus appeared to die a martyrs death and be resurrected. He's looking pretty good so far. He gets to leave all his trouble behind and head for pastures new, presumably India. The Romans didn't care about Jesus, but he had some powerful friends who were able to direct the full course of events. Presumably, Pontius Pilate was aware of what was to happen, his only dicatate being that Jesus disappears forever, and that everyone believes him to be dead. Perhaps Jesus wanted to appear before the people like an angel risen from the dead, but was so prohibited by the Romans that he was left with no choice but to leave, otherwise, next time it would be for real!