Magere Hein

Thank you, I appreciate the gesture. I'm not so certain the Dutch should be congratulated with all this. I know my opinion is a minority one, but as far as I'm concerned we'd rid ourselves of the monarchy.

Careful there, you may not like that new underwear.

That ain't no dawg!

I don't think one exceptional season is reason to switch sides. I trust they'll return to normal form.

As I explained in an earlier post, there's little direct contact between Dutch MPs and their electorate. At election time some candidates visit well-attended places, such as markets or shopping centers, to shake hands and kiss babies1, but otherwise they're more visible on TV. Does the old art of campaigning make such difference in the UK? ____ 1Kissing hands and shaking babies is not recommended.

Also today in 1971 François Duvalier, aka Papa Doc, dictator of Haiti from 1957 to his death, died aged 64. Some 30,000 Haitians were killed by his regime. His successor and son Jean-Claude, slightly less genocidal but more corrupt, died last year.

Does Seal go clubbing? But he'll never gonna survive unless he gets a litte crazy. Barking mad, you mean.

Which project?

Not a massacre, but today in Spain: no guns required.

"Ve may haf lost, but ve haf a cunning plan."

What, no rain? Away game! Aye, an away game in Scotland.

What, no rain?

That sounds right. As I underdstand it, the political significance of the Lords is minimal.

Stupid hunt.

Please don't shout.

In the Netherlands that was a usual pattern, well into the 20th century, particularly in calvinist rural areas. I'm a descendant of several instances. I don't have a middle name, but my names are identical to my granddad's. I have the same first name as my father and both my Grandfathers. Different middle names though. However I do not have a son and don't think my daughter would have thanked me for giving her that name. Giving children the same first name as a parent is frowned on in the Netherlands, although it's not exceptional. Ordinarily Dutch parents give names of the appropriate gender. Handing out the name Maria (or Marie) as a middle name is standing practice among Dutch Roman Catholic parents. As an example, former minister of Foreing Affairs Luns had four given names: Joseph Marie Antoine Hubert. The reverse, a girl with Joseph thrown in, is rare. There are a few unisex names (Jan, Kim, Sasha, Kees). For parents with little imagination there are ways to feminise male first names. Using a diminutives form is common: Dirkje, Klaasje, Geertje. I have several female relatives that have a male name with "-ine" or "-line" glued to the end.

Perhaps that's the Queen's Own deathlist.

In the Netherlands that was a usual pattern, well into the 20th century, particularly in calvinist rural areas. I'm a descendant of several instances. I don't have a middle name, but my names are identical to my granddad's.

Did you (meaning all of you) notice how many Australian celebrities have skin cancer? Richie Benaud died of it. Also Hugh Jackman. I can't recall a couple of others immediately. Still the consequences of the ozone hole... Yes, that hole doesn't close in a hurry. As I understand it, we're talking decades.

Thank you. Yup, his arse.

Imagine a world where we lived to 1000. What would the retirement age be? 650? That's one hell of a lot of commutes to look forward to ! Whoever that 'Californian scientist' is (I'd appreciate a link) he's certainly pulling that 80% out of his arse. I'm not so sure it's a Good Idea. With life spans as they are we already have a world-wide population issue.

June 12, a litte girl lizard, name unpronounceable.

Perhaps it's just a case of terminal cultural pessimism. That's not unusual in smart people on the brink of their demise.

There's no way of knowing with the DLCC, but I certainly did.