Ponderings

1.  If you name your farm "Forlorn Hope" aren't you almost daring fate to kick you in the teeth?

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/prizewinner-on-death-row-1-2583852
 
2.  If the so called telecommunications company has spelled your last name incorrectly on one of your three accounts with them (and thus is unable to grant you "combined billing for 10% off" as a result) are you obligated to pay them?  By their argument (given circuitously for over an hour) they cannot combine more than one householders account: "Mr Hemminway might object."  Despite the billing address, password and debit card all being identical.  By this logic, Hemminway is responsible for the bill isn't he?

3.  Why can my 10 year old remember the names of even the most obscure droids in all of the Star Wars movies, but is unable to remember that the word vegetable has a 't' in it - for purposes of both spelling and pronunciation?

4.  The Tabula Rogeriana was written in 1154.  The author refers to Britain as "set in the Sea of Darkness. It is a considerable island, whose shape is that of the head of an ostrich, and where there are flourishing towns, high mountains, great rivers and plains. This country is most fertile; its inhabitants are brave, active and enterprising, but all is in the grip of perpetual winter." Doesn't this make the British propensity for discussing the weather the most moot of moot points?  If it hasn't changed in almost 900 years...

5.  I have a very dear friend who is from Scotland.  Or at least she was my dear friend.  Today, she announced she was "staring forty in the face and not caring for it one bit."  Only, remember, I mentioned she is a Scotswoman.  So, what came out sounded more like she was staring 'farty' in the face etc.  Now, it's important to keep in mind that I am accompanied almost everywhere I go by a 10 and a 13 year old boy...  That's right.  One of them thought this was hilarious and the other one thought she was making an accusation. 

Just helping to build the cultural connection between nations.  One small step at a time...