"Isreali Defence Minister forgets to uncap binoculars as he inspects troops" Courtsey BBC News


Israeli newspapers have printed photos of Defence Minister Amir Peretz trying to watch military manoeuvres through binoculars with the lens caps still on.
Mr Peretz was inspecting troops in the Golan Heights with the Israeli army's new chief of staff, Gen Gabi Ashkenazi.
According to the photographer, "Mr Peretz looked through the capped binoculars three times, nodding as Gen Ashkenazi explained what was in view."
Analysts say it is a new blow for the embattled defence minister.
Mr Peretz's popularity has fallen in the wake of last year's war against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
But one Israeli paper pointed out that he is not the first prominent official to make this mistake.
According to daily Yediot Ahronot, US President George W Bush and former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon have both done the same thing.

Viagra used to save baby's life

"Viagra has been used by doctors on Tyneside as a last resort to save the life of a premature baby." BBC News

Lewis Goodfellow was born at 24 weeks weighing just 1lb 8oz. One of his lungs had failed and not enough oxygen was able to get into his bloodstream.
Doctors at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary then tried Sildenafil, also known under the trade name of Viagra, and Lewis is now home with his parents.
The drug opened up tiny blood vessels in the baby's lungs.
Parents Jade Goodfellow and John Barclay, from Walker, Newcastle believe the drug - more usually associated with anti-impotence - saved his life.
At one point they were so concerned he would not survive that they began planning a funeral.

Ms Goodfellow said: "Doctors said he couldn't be given any more oxygen. They were just clutching at straws basically. They explained it was experimental and may not have any effect at all."

Lewis was born in August 2006 and was finally allowed home in January, to the delight of his parents.
His mother said: "I don't think you could put into words how we feel."

To read the complete story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6366693.stm

Cheers :)

World's Worst Dictator??

Came across this interesting survey; this US based magazine comes out with such a list every year...some well known dictators/presidents and some surprises such as Russian president "Vladimir Putin"...I always thought they had elections in Russia, but I guess I was wrong.

Check this out:
http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_02-11-2007/Dictators

Cheers :)

Yes its been a bloody long time...

Yes its been long since I last updated my blog; not that anyone missed updates from my end...given that I either talk to most of my near's and dear's via phone, skype, email or in person.

Anyways lot has changed since; these days I am calling London home (well atleast for the next few years). Finished my term with AIESEC in August and since September have been working with a publishing firm. Nothing exciting has happened since...hmmm not that I remember.

Oh yeah a couple of thing:
1) Turned 25 (quarter of a century old) had a awesome time with friends...thanks to all of you who came. I know I was absolutely knocked out by the end of the proceeding...but I am sure you all enjoyed it as much as I did.
2) travelled a bit in earlier this year France, Serbia & Montenegro, around the UK a bit
3) and yes saw the All Blacks vs Wales game live woohooo. "Well it is an achievement as while I was in NZ I could never imagine afford buying a ticket to watch an international test, that also with All Black's playing. So you guys can imagine things have improved drastically since than :P. I think my mates from Kiwiland can understand what I mean."

So all those of you who were very persuasive (pests..) about me updating my blog, atleast once in a blue moon...thank you for that. Next time I will take into consideration your requests/order's sooner.

I'll not gaurantee if this is going to be a more frequent fixture; but I will try my best.

Cheers

P.S: A special thanks goes to the nomadlife support team, I wrote this post a long time back, just to realise I cannot remember the username/password to publish it on nomadlife. These guys are good, took them less than 48 hours to get back to me. Really appreciate that.

Guess What?? Good enough reason to visit Turkey.

Well as most of the people who know me well, they will tell you I can be one lazy ass!!

But when it is a good enough reason, I do change my habits like not be lazy for one...well if one of your "mates" decides to get married hmmm I believe that is good enough for me.

Mr. Mustafa "Muff Daddy" Bulgan finally popped the big questions to his girlfriend for four years, and they are getting married in summer of 2007. Those who know Mussy would understand, he had good reasons to postpone it till next summer, one both he and Burcu need to graduate, two Burcu needs to find a job, and third most important I believe is that the Football World Cup is happening this summer...now now if we know Muff daddy he won't like to clash his marrige with something as important as the Football World Cup :) "Good on ya mate!!".

Well I should stop being sarcastic...hey Muff Daddy really happy for you mate!! I have already started looking for summer flights to Turkey, so you better fix a date soon!!

Turkey here I come!!

Deprived again of home cooked food!!!

I just got back from India after a 10 day visit for brother's wedding, it was really good as the whole family which btw is just composed of 4 people had a re-union after 3 years. My brother is based in Sydney and myself at moment in London, so seeing her 2 son's home after 3 years like a true Punjabi mother, my mum demonstarted all her love by making sure that we both are well fed. I dont understand one concept, the first thing my mum said when she saw us was "you 2 have grown so weak, have lost so much weight" and I wondered from where...seriously I am still trying to figure that out?? Well she made sure that we dont look weak anymore, man I love her for that.

Well we both didn't mind it honestly since firstly, hot home cooked food is quite a luxury, secondly not sure whether it was jet lag or what... I was suddenly had the feeling of hogging to her cooking. So all the control I had on my diet while I was here ( honestly wasn't helping much) was ignored and I was at my all time best...10 days of Punjabi food, Aloo paranthas, Karahi chicken, Daal Makhni, Aloo gobi and god knows what all... it felt like HEAVEN.

Now that I am back in London and the days of luxury are gone. It is back to cereal for breakfast, sandwich for lunch and pasta with my own cooked curry( quite a combination, one should give it a try Italian and Indian) for dinner or takeaway as an alternate. I am not a bad cook, its just that I hate eating alone by far cooking for myself is quite a lot of work... maybe thats one reason why my apetite was at its all time high while I was home. Now I miss all that, well till next trip home will have to either live with my own cooking or takeaways ... well the latter seems to be the more feasible option.

Need a Break!!

Guess what I haven't had a free weekend for the last 4 weeks, and will not have one for the next 5 weeks. How about that??

Things have been going great, London is a amazing place to be something new is happening all the time, plus there is so much to do that one regrets not finding a weekend to chill and enjoy. It is the case with my whole team, we all live in London but sometimes do not see each other for days or even weeks.

We all committed to having a team day once every week, but haven't had one for almost 4 weeks now I believe I say for all of us WE ALL NEED A BREAK!!

Guess we will just have to wait, and hope we do find some time to take a break.