Think twice before buying sick Microsoft Vista

I didn't intend to use new Windows Vista. But it's inevitable to explore it when I bought a new laptop which has got Vista Home Premium.

For me, Vista is nothing special.( I have no idea why Microsoft corp spent up to 5 years, using a great deal of people to develop this version. Basically, the product is worth much less than my one day wage and nobody are queuing to get it, Cf; Apple's iphone) Not so different from Windows XP in working process.

The thing is the softwares I have are only for XP version. I cannot install these on my laptop and I still need my XP deskstop. Moreover, I have Dell Axim X5 with Pocket PC 2002 which is working fine. Again, Vista's idiot Mobile Device Manager does not support it. I have no idea Microsoft is unfairly pushing people to buy unnecessary things by introducing its futile operating system. I suspect that must be micorsoft's dirty marketing technique.

Yesterday, I accidentally close it without logging off. Screen was black and nothing appeared even after restarting again and again. So I had to go safe mode and had to repair. I have no idea why Windows system is so vulnerable. Don't tell me I need to shut down properly. Sometime I have no time for such a rubbish computers with poor operation system. Why couldn't Microsoft invent a system like car engine? We can drive cars in 1-2 seconds after ignition. Why not computers? It has been wrong since opeartion systems were developed. The loading time to start and the time to turn off the system is taking too long as if the person with IQ 80 was trying to think what is next step after brushing teeth in the morning.

I suspect Vista configuration is weak and inefficient. As a result, its premium version needs memory at least 1GB Ram. Many knows that Microsoft is not so brilliant in terms of technology, but very clever in marketing. You may know the techno history. If IBM did not raise Bill Gate, a uni drop-out, there would not be Windows on earth.

I'm sure I am not alone who is criticising Vista. The following is from wikipedia.

Before the release of Windows Vista, expectations for the new operating system were high, fueled by both promises of new features, better security, and a better user interface, as well as the five year period since the release of Windows XP. Large numbers of businesses and consumers planned on upgrading to Vista. However, after its release, it was met with harsh criticism for low hardware support, high system requirements, relatively poor performance, and for not making big enough improvements since the release of XP. This prompted many users and businesses to hold off on upgrading to Vista and even caused some to replace Vista installations with XP. These results further led to low adoption levels of Windows Vista and generally poor public review, as reflected by its title from PC World as the biggest tech disappointment of 2007.

I would say I have to use Vista which has been pre-installed in my new laptop. Otherwise no point to buy. Don't worry about not using Vista. nothing special. You will not be left behind. You may need to think twice to use even if you get Vista as a x-mas present. Main reason are that your existing software is not working with poor Vista and you may need to upgrade your computer memory. In fact, Microsoft should enclose fee for memory upgrade and compensation for existing softwares not compatible with new version in its Vista package. That is what I believe. Do you think Vista sale will soar in next 12 months?

In fact I am not alone who saw Microsoft vista is suck. Read this article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6407419.stm)on BBC page.

When I googled news with key word "vista" this is the first link what I found out.

Vista Ultimate Extras: Ultimately Disappointing

X-mas Hot pot

Well, this is x-mas day. just preaparing Hot Pot.

A busker

I saw him. He is a busker playing music near Oxford street.

Busking is the practice of doing live performances in public places to entertain people, usually to solicit donations and tips. Those engaging in this practice are called buskers. Busking is a British term used in many areas of the English-speaking world. In the United States they are more often called street performers or street musicians.(wikipedia)

This year design

Today, while waiting for someone at the corner of Oxford street, I took this photo. Women's boots are not pointed ones this year, I noticed.

X-mas shoppers

Today (the first of December 2007), I popped to London Oxford street to buy a couple of shirts at Debenhams. Once I came out from the tube station, oh my god, a sea of people on the street, walking and shopping. Some part of Oxford street was closed, so people were on the street.

A BLONDE'S DREAM

A blonde keeps having the same weird dream, so she goes to her doctor.
Doctor: "What is your dream about?"
Blonde: "I am being chased by a vampire..."
Doctor: "So, where are you in this dream?"
Blonde: "I am running in a hallway."
Doctor: "Then what happens?"
Blonde: "Well, that's the weird thing. In every single dream, the same
thing happens. I always come to a door, but I can't open it. I keep
pushing the door and pushing the door, but it won't budge!"
Doctor: "Does the door have any letters on it?"
Blonde: "Yes."
Doctor: "And what do these letter spell?"
Blonde: "P.. U... L... L..."

Source: a friend of mine emailed me.

Are you the risk person to suffer heart attck or stroke?

You can predict yourself if you are going to have a heart problem (angina, heart attack) or stroke over 10 years. But you need to know your Blood pressure, Total cholesterol level and HDL (high densitly lipoprotein level).

Basically, male sex, smoking, high cholesterol,high blood pressure and diabetes are well known risk factors for heart attack and stroke.

"Here is the culcluator"

Who to treat


If CVD risk > 20% over 10 years , you need to change your life style and take cholesterol tablet. Bring down the Blood pressure if it is high.

Entertainment system for patients

You can see a monitor on the picture. You may have already known it. It is not for heart monitoring, but it is to entertain hospital patients. It is 3 in one or 4 in one device as far as I know. It has got TV, Internet access and phone line.While lying in the bed, sick people can enjoy BBC programmes, can surf the net and can talk to their relatives and friends. It is provided with top-up card. I saw this facility in many UK hospitals. In fact, before introducing this network, portable TV rental service has been running in most hospitals for many years, I think.

a lunch at work

A couple of months ago, I moved to hospital accommodation. I don't cook. I normally have my lunch at hospital canteen. In the evening, I get ready meals from nearby Sainsbury and Tesco.
Picture is one of my lunch meals with meat ball, spring green and some chips.

What is British economy

if you read this news article, you may learn about British economy in brief.

1 in 3 UK commercial buildings foreign owned

One in three British commercial properties now have foreign landlords, but that ratio is set to dip slightly next year as real estate prices cool, a report from insurance firm Royal & Sun Alliance said on Wednesday.

According to the property investment underwriter, overseas-based investors directly own 22 percent of all commercial real estate, compared with 15 percent in 2000, before foreign buying of UK property really took off, driven by demand for office buildings with sitting tenants on medium-term leases.

Full on Reuters

DOH is stuck with court ruling

DOH is stuck with court ruling (They are thinking really hard for the next move)

Medical graduates from outside the European Economic Area

The Court of Appeal have found against the Department of Health in consideration of BAPIO's appeal against our guidance to limit international medical graduate access to junior doctor specialty training posts.


The ruling means that we no longer have the option of issuing the guidance for 2008 on which we were consulting that prioritises UK medical school graduates for specialty training posts. We face the prospect of a large number of applicants competing for places.



Doctors from outside Europe have made and continue to make a huge contribution to the NHS. The issue is not, and never has been, whether they can continue to work as NHS doctors - which they can - but whether the taxpayer should be investing in training them instead of UK medical graduates.

We will now be studying the ruling alongside responses to our recent consultation on the issue, as well as exploring all other options available.

Future e-updates will contain more details on this important issue.

Click on the link below to read the document that was published for discussion and feedback on international medical graduates for more background information:

http://www.mmc.nhs.uk/download_files/IMG%20Consultation%20PDF.pdf

Verdict for overeas doctors

Dear Friends,
All three judges ruled that international medical
graduates should be treated on par with medical
graduates from the Britain and the European
Union.Please read the full article below.

The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
(BAPIO) won a judgement on 09 November 2007 in favor
of international doctors living in the UK. The ruling
found that guidance handed out by the Department of
Health (DH) to National Health Service (NHS) employers
was unlawful and international medical graduates
should be treated on par with medical graduates from
the Britain and the European Union.

The appeal was heard by Lord Justice Sedley, Lord
Justice Maurice Kay and Lord Justice Rimer and all
three were unanimous in their ruling that the DH
guidance was wrong.

The controversial guidance suggested that NHS
employers should look first to British and European
Union medical graduates to fill NHS training posts
before hiring international medical graduates in
Britain under the UK Work Permit scheme or the Highly
Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP).

"We are delighted...this will reduce stress among tens
of thousands of doctors who are providing excellent
care every day within the NHS. This judgment means
that these International Medical Graduates can
continue to be treated on merit in any recruitment
process," said Dr Raman Lakshman, Vice Chair for
Policy for BAPIO.

Dr Buddhdev Pandya, Corporate Advisor to BAPIO, is
happy with the ruling but hopes that the situation can
be put behind all those involved.

"This was a landmark judgement and now is the time for
us all to work with the Home Office and Department of
Health in a constructive way to heal the wounds and
build up again a diverse and highly trained
workforce," he said.

Funny Mathematics

A friend of mine sent me the following mathematics.

ROMANCE MATHEMATICS

Smart man + smart woman = romance
Smart man + dumb woman = affair
Dumb man + smart woman = marriage
Dumb man + dumb woman = pregnancy
______________________________


OFFICE ARITHMETIC

Smart boss + smart employee = profit
Smart boss + dumb employee = production
Dumb boss + smart employee = promotion
Dumb boss + dumb employee = overtime
_____________________________


SHOPPING MATH

A man will pay $20 for a $10 item he needs.
A woman will pay $10 for a $20 item that she doesn't need.
_____________________________


GENERAL EQUATIONS & STATISTICS

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
_____________________________


HAPPINESS

To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and love him a little.
To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all.
______________________________


LONGEVITY

Married men live longer than single men do, but married men are a lot more willing to die.
______________________________


PROPENSITY TO CHANGE

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.
_____________________________


DISCUSSION TECHNIQUE

A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
_____________________________


HOW TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BUGGING YOU ABOUT GETTING MARRIED
Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

Interesting recommendation by researchers

Sex every day is prescription for improving sperm quality

Men who suffer fertility problems because of low sperm quality may be able to improve their chances of fatherhood by having sex every day, research has suggested.

While those trying for a baby are often told to refrain from ejaculating too often to protect their sperm count, Australian scientists have shown that this can be counterproductive and may lower male fertility.

Source

I have no idea to give comment.Anyone please!

Are you aware your parents would be entitled for permanent resident in the UK?

This link would be useful for settled UK immigrants who want to sponsor their parents and grandparents to stay with them.
click here

Alcohol and bowel cancer risk

Many people believe that a pint of beer is OK, nothing serious problem at all. But it is reported recently that we are at risk of bowel cancer even though we don't exceed our daily allowance of alcohol.

The report, published by the International Journal of Cancer, says that drinking two large glasses of wine or two pints a day increases the risk of this disease by around quarter compared with non-drinkers.

One glass of wine or a pint of beer a day raises the risk by 10 per cent.

"The research shows quite clearly that the more alcohol you drink the greater your risk of bowel cancer,'' said Professor Tim Key, an expert with Cancer Research UK told the Daily Telegraph. Source

This must be recent research result. I don't know how reliable it is.

On the other hand, health authorities normally recommend to enjoy moderate alcohol drinking as it prevents heart problem to some extent (20 units per week for men and 15 units per women) . You may want to know how to calculate alcohol unit. Here is online calculator. I can't remember if beers and spirits available in Burma show alcohol percentage, that is, ABV %(Alcohol by Volume). In UK, most Beers come as 4% and 5%. Whiskies are 40%. Wines are 12.5% , 13% ,,,,,,,

A cat with special sense

A cat from a nursing and rehab home in the US is able to predict who is going to die, according to today's The Sun Newspaper. Cat's name is Oscar. He has been living in the house for many years. He sniffs and checks the residents and sits beside those who would die within hours.

A GRIM-REAPER cat has amazed medics — by predicting when nursing home patients are about to die.

Oscar the tabby curls up next to elderly residents in the last few hours of their lives.

His accuracy — seen in 25 cases in the past year — has led staff to call family once he chooses someone. It usually means they have less than four hours to live.

University professor Dr David Dosa said yesterday: “He doesn’t make too many mistakes. Many families take solace from it. They appreciate the companionship the cat provides for their loved one.” Source:

Narcissistic personality disorder

I am not a psychiatrist. But I'd like to post a psychiatry related disorder this time.

That is Narcissistic personality disorder. The characteristic features are as follow:


1-has a grandiose sense of self-importance
2-is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
3-believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by other special people
4-requires excessive admiration
5-strong sense of entitlement
6-takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
7-lacks empathy
8-is often envious or believes others are envious of him or her
9-arrogant affect.

At least five of the above are necessary for a diagnosis

You may check the poeple around you. Who has got this mental problem?

Born to get cancer

You may know that some cancers are genetically determined, some are not. Some are multi-factorial. Some are greatly influenced by environment. Some are by viruses.

In the following news article, the mother of 3 has been born to have Breast cancer. When she checked her family tree, 31 persons had Breast cancer. It is too much, isn't it? She has also got Breast cancer on one side. Now she had both of her breasts removed.

A mother of three underwent a double mastectomy after discovering that 31 of her relatives had suffered from breast cancer in the past 200 years.

Eleven years ago Alex Best, then 29, decided to look at her family tree, which medical experts have described as one of the most extreme in the country. A week later Miss Best had breast cancer diagnosed herself.

After learning of her family history, she had contacted a genetics expert, Professor Gareth Evans, to find out if she was also carrying the gene. By chance the research team had been studying her family tree but had not been allowed to contact surviving family members. A test confirmed that she was carrying the gene and had an 85 per cent chance of developing the disease. Full story

Basically, breast cancer cure rate has been getting better in this century. But early detection and proper treatment are important factors for the survival rate. You may know Aussie pop star Kylie had breast cancer, still living in normal life and she keeps singing and smiling. Promoting breast awareness and mammography (Breast X-ray) for older age groups are recognised approaches to prevent breast cancer deaths. Of course, health authorities have advised women to examine their breasts while having a shower.

Well, you may be interested in the fact that who the risk persons are. According to the research and literature, risk groups include those who never deliver baby, those with first pregnancy at their over 30, those who never give breast feeding to their children, those with early onset of period, fat ladies, those who have female hormone replacement therapy, those who carry Breast cancer gene (like the lady in the news).

So my suggestion would be: enjoy your life normally,get a boy friend if appropriate, avoid extreme actions, don't be proud of being single or virgin (some ancient Myanmar ladies are crazy for it, I think),examine yourself properly on a regular basis.

Any question or concern? just Google, OK?

Dway and his ?cause of death

Yesterday I heard that Myanmar Actor Dway died suddenly. It is too early to say why it happened. I have no chance to obtain his medical history. But as a medic, which came to my mind was Brugada syndrome. ( I am not saying his cause of death is Brugada syndrome)

This is an inherited condition (gene defect) causing fatal irregularity of heat beat and sudden death. Normally heart is beating on its electricity. In this condition, there is a defect in heart’s electrical system. The person with this condition may not notice any heart problem or he may experience synoptic attacks before fatal attack.

Some more facts of this condition are as follow.

Patients are mainly found in South East Asia.
Male is 8 times more common than female.
Unexplained death among close relatives
Heart is otherwise normal. First presentation would be fatal irregularity of heart beat.
So far, there is no medicine to take regularly to prevent sudden death.

Only option is implantable cardiac defibrillator.

An implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) is a small electronic device installed inside the chest wall to prevent sudden death from cardiac arrest due to life threatening abnormal heart rhythms. The ICD is intelligent enough to monitor the heart rhythm. When the heart is beating normally, the device remains inactive. Once the heart develops a life-threatening irregular rhythms, the ICD delivers an electrical "shock(s)" to the heart to terminate the abnormal rhythm and return the heart rhythm to normal.

More about Brugada Syndrome:
Brugada foundation
Brugada on Wikipedia

Wimbledon tennis season and ticket prices

Wimbledon 2007 is from 25 June to 8 July.

Personal details on the Internet

10, originally uploaded by moeyanagency.

A few months ago, I came across Myanmar passport department's webpages which were revealing the recent list of Myanmar passport applicants ( including their fathers' names and thier national ID numbers) . Again, here are certificates and photos of Burmese on flickr. I must say it is strange for me.

This is my emotional damage test score

My score on The Emotional Damage Test: as follow:

You are 13% emotionally damaged. Please take this to heart when interacting with others.

Thank you for taking this test. Obviously, the higher percentage you scored, the harder the life you have lead. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but you certainly need to be careful about how you treat others. Humanity is all linked by just 6 people, and each broken heart sends just another damaged person out into the world that can potentially harm others. Tread lightly and try to be understanding of the differences of others, as they will hopefully be understanding of yours.

Link: The Emotional Damage Test written by joe2therevenge on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Myanmar music festival and Myanmar food fare

This is the email message from a friend of mine.

Dear Friends There will be Myanmar Music Festival and Myanmar Food fare on 1st July 2007.It has been proved to be successful and we raised over £2000 last time for Magwe medical students. And we all had a very good time and enjoyed our traditional Myanmar food. This time you will have the chance to listen to professional singers (Khin Mg Toe, Zaw Myo Htut, May Kalar and Yadana OO) in addition to our dedicated semi-professional singers (doctors and their families). You will be able to enjoy a variety of Myanmar food at low price. You can listen to the music, enjoy the delicious Myanmar food (Yummy!), socialize with other Burmese, chat away with mates, etc. The money raised through karaoke and food will go to a London monastery renovation, Magwe medical student stipends and Aung Theitpann Orphans' school (in Irrawaddy Division). So I would highly recommend all of you to participate in this special event if you are not on-call or you do not have other commitment. I hope you will enjoy the event. Do not forget to practise your favourite song/songs. VENUE Burntwood memorial Hall 18 Rugeley Road Burntwood Staffordshire WS7 9BA Date and Time : 01/07/2007 11 am - 06 pm

Why is a gas rich country still dark?

Myanmar earns $2B in gas sales

YANGON, Myanmar, June 20 (UPI) -- Myanmar earned more than $2 billion from the sale of natural gas in the past year, official media said.

The Myanmar Times reported June 8 that the country's earning from natural gas sales in the 2006-07 season was $1 billion more than the previous year.

In 2005-06, the former Burma earned $1.079 billion from gas sales, and in 2006-07 it earned $2.16 billion, the report said.

Source:

I have a question. I'm just wondering if someone could tell me why Burma is still in the dark. Forget about small towns in Burma. Even in large cities like Yangon and Mandalay, the electricity supply is very irregular. Average 6 hours a day. A friend of mine from Yangon told me a few months ago, no electricity in such a hot weather. Children could not sleep.

Where is the money from gas sale? Investing in Russian's carcino or trying to buy Man U? Anyway, hopefully the responsible persons would be aware of shortage of basic human need in this 21st century and would have done necessary actions. Keep our finger crossed!

Otherwise, those from the country without a regular electricity in the cities and towns, where owning well over a decade-old car is still a sought-after status symbol, may have no point to be proud of being Myanmar among the world people.

Myanmar Bloggers' wish

Full story


I saw this news item on Google Myanmarese news.I lost contact with Burma for 3-4 months as I have been in a tough working situation. What is going on in Burma? Maybe I will google.

A new measure against cervical cancer

"A jab that protects against cervical cancer should be given to all girls aged 12 to 13, an advisory committee to the Department of Health said today."

;;Source;;

In this era when early sexual relationship has been increasingly common,above measure would be most approriate, I think.

Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted sexually, is strongly associated with cervical and vulvar cancer and is the primary risk factor. Evidence of HPV is found in nearly 80% of cervical carcinomas.

In Britain, all women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical screening test every three to five years. GP normally send the letter for cervical smear test. The Cervical Screening Programme has been going on in the UK for years.

This new vaccination programme would be an extra effort to crack down cervical cancer, I feel.

Train without driver

It was 2 months ago,I went to East London for some reason. I was on Dockland Light Rail. You may notice there was no driver on it.

A Mannikin

I found this photo from my old albums.
Long ago I took an Advanced Life Support couse to do resuscitation on cardiac arrest patients. We did practise with this kind of mannikins.

God's Verdict?

According to Wikipedia:

"In March 2007, Soe Win was in a private hospital in Singapore. The government would not disclose the nature of his illness, though it was reported in the media that he was suffering from leukemia. He returned to Myanmar on May 3, 2007, but then returned to Singapore later that month. The Myanmar embassy in Singapore said he was being treated for a "serious health matter"

Soe Win was best known for his part in the crackdown on democracy protestors in 1988, deploying troops around Rangoon University and ordering them to shoot at Rangoon General Hospital during the upheaval.

He is widely regarded as the mastermind behind the deadly attack against National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters in the May 30, 2003 Depayin Massacre."

Is that God's verdict?

General Aung San's independence and China's Influence

Above poem is from one of the posts on Mayvelous blog. Well,it is not surprising that many Burmese people keep admiring General Aung San as he led Burmese army when Burma fought against fascist Japanese and British for its independence (while Thailand was free from war as far as I know). I really appreciate his ability. He had been in London in his early 30s and he met British Prime Minister for Burma's political issues. That's great.

It is a fantastic reward as Burma was free from British colony in 1948. But sometime I suspect today's situation in Burma would be a consequence of premature independence. I think Burma at that time was not ready to run on its own. Too much instability in 1950s in history. You know Hong Kong is very well. It was released from British control in 1997. Burma and Hong Kong are grossly different in terms of economic and living stardard.

Some nationalists may argue that Burma might lose its unique identity and precious culture if it is under other people's control. OK, what is today's situation? What about massive influence of China? I don't mean I don't like them. I believe all those living and settling in the Land of Burma should have an equal opportunity, regardless of skin color and ethnic origin. It's ridiculous some of my Chinese friends born in Yangon have never granted Myanmar citizens. But now they have been US citizens. They said applying for US citizenship is much easier than Myanmar citizenship.(But you may know many people who never speaks Burmese language or usual ethnic languages are living in many places in Burma, especially in Mandalay). Moreover, a strange thing is that, 2 years ago, I saw a Burmese passport holder in a house in London. He speaks Chinese and some English only.

Myanmar Passport rules and regulations I can't understand

I saw above notice on Myanmar Gov's Special Branch page
I feel one passport should be valid at least 10 years where ever the bearer lives, going abroad or staying inside Myanmar. I still don't understand the reason of this notice. Someone could explain to me, please?



Buy the way, according to my friends, many foreign immigration officers see Green Passport as the fake one. One doctor was not issued work permit in Jamaica after checking his green passport. They believed that the green one is unofficial.In the UK, a bank manager phoned Myanmar Embassy officials in order to confirm the presence of Green Passport issued by Myanmar authorities.

Dual Tax Matter

This is a letter regarding Singapore Myanmar Dual tax matter.


The following conversations are about UK citizen who was working in the USA.

Q: Hi,
I will try to be as clear as possible and hopefully someone will have an answer for me! I am a French citizen who used to leave in the UK for 9 years till Sept 04 and have moved permanently to the US. I've been renting my uk flat since oct 04 (which was my sole income for whole 2004). I know that i have to file a tax return in the uk in April, i also understand that i have to file a federal tax return in the us too.(i have no other source of income)
Could someone explain me how the us/uk dual tax treaty works?
Thanks a lot

Ans: Hi

The dual tax treaty will not apply to your particular circumstances. If you are resident in the US then you are liable to US tax on your worldwide income and gains.
You will also be liable to UK income tax on your rental income. However, you will be able to claim a credit in the US for UK tax paid.

If you moved to the US in 2004 and started letting your property in Oct 2004 then you must file your US tax return by 15 April 2005 and pay any tax due by this date.

However, your UK tax return and tax payment for the year ending 5 April 2005 is not due until 31 January 2006.

Those tax matters are really confusing. But basically tax should be considered on a particular income or business. I feel it is not fair for a Burmese national working in Singapore if he has to pay tax to both Burmese government and Singapore counterpart despite nil business in Burma.

As a UK resident, I (other Myanmar passport holders as well) have a privilege in this tax matter. I don't need to pay tax to Myanmar embassy. Many believe that it is due to Nu- Attlee Agreement.

Cow Power

Cow Power, originally uploaded by Libyan Soup.

When I was young I did really enjoy riding cow drawn cart in country side in Burma. It was fantastic. Now driving my coupe' in London is tasteless.

Cutty Sark Fire

Before fire

Cutty Sark fire2, originally uploaded by olebrat.

The famous Tea Clipper “The Cutty Sark” five hours after the fire that almost destroyed her on 21-05-07. Thanks for the picture to olebrat.
You can see my previous post. 9 days ago we visted Greenwish where Cutty Sark was there under renovation. Now it's gone.

She served in the water from 1869 to 1954 by transporting goods especially tea from China to London. After that Cutty Sark keeps serving as one of the popular torrist attractions, with 7-8 million visitors a year in Greenwish.
Many believe that it was an arson fire and police treated as "suspecious".
Fire is not uncommon in England even though lots of measures have been done.Windsor Castle fire also ripped through the Queen's official residence in 1992.

More about Cutty Sark on Wikipedia

A veiw from Greenwish

Greenwish, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

Today after having a buffet with a friend of mine in Greenwish while I am in London this week, I took this photo with my motorola. It was south of River Thames. You can see Canary Wharf and some business buildings. In fact River Thame is more or less the size of Hlaing River, May be smaller than that in many points. I feel Irrawaddy is a King River.

Dockland

I took this photo from Excel Exhibition Centre in Docklands.

Near London Bridge

This post does not mean anything. I took this photo a few months ago when I came out from London Bridge Tube station.

A Cracked Pot and Maggots

The cracked pot philosophy (the previous post) is great, I believe. Again, 100% of people see maggots as disgusting creatures. Now in the field of medicine, these larvae have been used to cure some sort of ulcers. A professor claimed "Maggots are the world's smallest surgeons"




Click here for Full story

If you don't know about MRSA, Click here

Imperfections

This is from one of the forwarded emails. You may read it through.

Imperfections---

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arri ved on ly half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course , the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream
"I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?"

"That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them."

"For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.

Without you being just the way you are, t here would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

SO, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

And send this to any or all of your Cracked Pot friends ! : )

Bloody IT

Doctor recruitment website for the new system of training for junior docs to become consultants www.mtas.nhs.uk has been offline due to a big security breach after a series of errors of shortlisting the applicants.

The security breach came just a day after the department was forced to block a loophole in the site which allowed the private details of applicants to be read by anyone typing "info" after the site address.
Reuters news

I am just wondering who the responsible person is. These days, security should be top priority. I suspect those IT men don't care about our confidential data. Withot having enuogh knowledge , I have no idea why they took the contract to run doctor recruitment web service. They are really bloody IT. I think prosecution would be only option in this civilized era.

Related news

Doctors furious at training reforms
Government Slammed By Angry Doctors
PM 'must act' over medic training

An injection appeal in Britain

During the last week, our team had to see outlier patients. Basically I review patients first and I discussed with my consultant if needed. You may don’t know what outlier patient is. For example, if a patient with nerve or brain problem is placed in chest ward for some reason, he or she is the outlier patient of neurology and the neurologist has to go and see that patient as his outlier.

In this hospital, outlier patients are a little bit different. Those who are not medically serious and ready to go home, but still need to be sorted out their social and other issues, are put under the care of outlier team.

Well, on Last Wednesday, 36 year-old-chap who is a known multiple sclerosis came in with some minor recurrent attack. Plan was to give 5 day course of intravenous injection. He is apparently well and no reason to stay in hospital for once a day injection. So I have to organize to get intravenous injection as an out-patient.
I never thought that it was a difficult job. But in the real situation……

In fact, his wife is a sister working in our hospital. But British rules and regulations do not allow doctors and nurses to give medical care to the close relatives and next of kin.

I phoned to his GP who declined to do so. They did only intra-muscular injection in surgery, not intravenous injection.

So I tried the district nurse who normally does home visit for dressing and medication and so on. The same answer was given.

And then I contacted to the Intermediate Care Team whose function is to look after recently hospital discharged patient if needed. They said they don’t have enough capacity to do so.

There is a day treatment centre in our hospital. They said they open only 3 days a week. So not possible for 5 consecutive day injection.

A&E department is out of question. They only deal with emergency patients.

I tried MAU, Medical Assessment Unit. They declined again as they have got a great deal of workload with acute patients all the time. ( I know that fact very well)

Finally CDU in-charge sister agreed to give intravenous injection to my pity patient in her department. CDU is Clinical Decision Unit who takes GP referral. At that department, hospital doctors see patients referred by GP and deicide to admit them or not.

On that evening time, patient went home after waiting for an intravenous injection agreement for nearly the whole day.

UK Copyright Law:: Some facts

Basically I am not a great music fan. I hate most noisy Rap music apart from Eminem. I can't believe those stuffs have been very popular in Burma. I think in Britain where Pop is still on the top position, the rap represents only for a group of people.

I appreciate the talent of musicians. I know the stories how clever producers made money on young popsters. But sometime I feel music industry has been over-protected by copy right law whilst I understand I must obey the law. This morning, I googled the UK copy right law and I found out the following interesting points.

Duration of copyright

The 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act states the duration as;
1. For literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works
70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the last remaining author of the work dies.
If the author is unknown, copyright will last for 70 years from end of the calendar year in which the work was created, although if it is made available to the public during that time, (by publication, authorised performance, broadcast, exhibition, etc.), then the duration will be 70 years from the end of the year that the work was first made available.
2. Sound Recordings and broadcasts
50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work was created, or,
if the work is released within that time: 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work was first released.
3. Films
70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the last principal director, author or composer dies.
If the work is of unknown authorship: 70 years from end of the calendar year of creation, or if made available to the public in that time, 70 years from the end of the year the film was first made available.
4. Typographical arrangement of published editions
25 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work was first published.
5. Broadcasts and cable programmes
50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the broadcast was made.http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/copyright/p01_uk_copyright_law

Hospital and Piano

DSC00030, originally uploaded by drjamesbright.

This grand piano can be seen in the main entrance hall at Queen's hospital. Some people come and play especially during the weekends.
Thanks James for the photo.

Queen's hospital and my colleague

DSC00013, originally uploaded by drjamesbright.

Today I visited my colleague's blog though which I got to his flickr photos. We used to work in Queen's hospital last year. Most of the time we were in medical assessment unit, dealing with emergency medical patients and experiencing many pains and little pleasure . Now we are in different hospitals. This Queen's hospital is one of the busiest hospitals in England, with capacity of about 960 in-patients.

Check here for Registered UK doctors

My class mates, whenever we met on g-talk or Yahoo messenger, living across the world frequently asked me about our friends residing in the UK . I have lost contact with them after living in a busy life style. But we can at least check on GMC (General Medical Council) if they are still registered with it. Generally that means they are still working here. If you want to check,click here and enter surname or forename whatever. You can see a list of our people.

Today’s NHS and Britain’s neo export

You may be aware that British manufacturing industry has been going down in this decade while it has to sit on the service industry. With a rapid growth of the latter, too many oversea doctors have flocked together in the UK. As a consequence UK graduates find it difficult to get their jobs. Many have moved to Australia and New Zealand. A friend of mine got married happily a few years previously. Now she has to move to NZ along with her psychiatrist British hubby who could not secure his job in Britain.

A few year back, a group of NHS heads decided to change training system in the hope of a better training for junior doctors. With the new system, a newly graduated doctor would become a consultant in 11 years time instead of former 14 years. I don’t know the dream will come true or not. But today, NHS job market has been chaos. Many doctors have got less attention on patient’s care as the situation has made them worried and frustrated.

Now the pathetic NHS managers are trying to put a new measure for jobless doctors…Voluntary work abroad!
Well Britain will export doctors very soon.

Jobless doctors 'to be shipped overseas'

Up to 10,000 young doctors who are unable to find jobs in the NHS could be offered voluntary work overseas. An estimated 34,250 doctors have applied for just 18,500 training posts. According to official documents leaked yesterday, the plan was drawn up by NHS managers following the botched introduction of an online appointments system, which could leave thousands of junior doctors without training places this summer..Full story

Jobless junior doctors may be offered VSO work
Guardian Unlimited
A rescue package to find jobs for up to 10000 junior doctors whose careers are in danger of being blighted by a controversial NHS selection procedure includes plans to send some to do voluntary service overseas, a leaked document revealed yesterday.
More...

How much are you rich?

Well, in my previous post, I just reported about Britain's tops and some outstanding persons you may know very well. Ok ... you may want to measure your wealth. If so, go to chennel 4 to learn which level you are in.

Britain's top 2 are immigrants

Britain’s wealthiest man is Lakshmi Mittal. He was born in Sadulpur Village, in Churu district of Rajasthan, India, and residing in Kensington, London. He is the 5th richest person in the world and the richest Indian, with a fortune of U$32 billion according to Forbes.

Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich (who is originally from Russia) remains at Britain’s number two overall with an estimated worth of £10.8 billion.

The world's richest footballer is David Beckham, 31. His wealth has reached to £112 million, and is ranked at world’s 619. He was born in Leytonstone. It is only 15 min drive from my place in East London.

Simon Philip Cowell, 47 is also a big winner in the pop world. His fortune is now about £100 million. He is best known as a judge on the television programs Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, and American Idol. He is notorious for his unsparingly blunt and often controversial criticism of the contestants.

Britain’s richest chef is GORDON RAMSAY, 39, worth £67 M so far. He earns money from his TV shows, restaurants and books I think.

Sources:
http://www.itv.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://independent.co.uk/

Why Iraq news are still on the top of BBC

It's Ok if it is new and interesting news I can see on BBC's top news. But I have no idea whenever a bomb blast happened in Iraq after ?2 years US invasion, BBC put it as a top news. Really boring. I feel that is normal for Iraq even though I am sorry for the deaths.

Half of doctors expect to leave NHS in 10 years -poll

I came across this Reuters news.

Half no longer saw medicine as a job for life, according to the British Medical Association's survey of nearly 1,000 doctors who qualified within the past 12 years.Full story

Many people would believe that government and top medical officers are trying to build a brilliant training programme for doctors.(if you don't know recent changes for doctors, visit here )

Unfortunately in a real situation, that action has led to the instability and unfairness of job market, making many doctors reluctant to stay in NHS.

A brief story is here:
The pathetic computer system MTAS failed to recognise and shortlist many UK graduate brilliant doctors. This has led to doctors' first time demonstration in London and Scotland.( In China, the responsible IT personnel would be sent to jail, I think)

So the government introduced the review group to correct human and computer errors happened in the application system. The ridiculous remedy is to offer all applicants to interview (They are also scared of doctor's boycott and strikes). As a result many consultants have to cancel their out-patient and in-patient care services in order to meet the demand of a large number of candidates. In the UK, out-patient clinic is very important and it is a sought-after chance for general population. For example, in many areas, waiting time to see a neurologist would be 6-8 months.

Don't join NHS for a career

I must say my previous post is rubbish. UK's NHS used to be excellent for both patients and doctors before. But when the chief medical officer who felt , while sitting in his cold and damp office, it was required to improve the system some years previously, there has been devastating consequences. There must be a lobby of supporters for that idea. They did something recently. Unfortunately, that action has left many UK doctors with the unsecured job opportunities. In my opinion is if you are a doc, don't come and work for NHS at the moment. It is a mess. If you are a patient supposed to get treatment in next few months in the UK, don't come here. Consultants would not come to see you as they have to attend interviews where they need to select outstanding candidates for UK's future consultants , AT THE EXPENSE OF RECENTLY ILL PATIENT S'S BENEFITS. Doctors' demonstration occurred last month. Now again, this recommendation has appeared. Read this through!!!

Don't join NHS for a career, say doctors

By Celia Hall
Last Updated: 1:11am BST 12/04/2007

More than two thirds of doctors says they would not recommend medicine as a career as morale in the health service reaches an "all-time low", according to a survey published today.

More than half of the 14,000 doctors who responded said they felt morale at work was "poor" and in the case of junior doctors "terrible".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/12/nhealth112.xml

Want to work for NHS?

Well, many may know very well about Britain's NHS (National Health Service). If you want to join it, your are not necessarily required to be a doctor or a nurse. There could be many posts which is suitable for you. For example, check here. This is a job advert of one of the NHS trusts in Britain. You can get some knowlege of salary as well.

Today's London and murdered teenagers

If you google the UK News, you can easily see the following news. Teenagers... killed by gunshots and knives in London. This evening, one more has been shot in Plaistow which is only 10 minutes drive from my place.

Teenager hurt in street shooting
BBC News - 2 hours ago
A teenager has been shot and seriously injured in east London, a few streets from where 15-year-old Adam Regis was killed last month.
Teenager shot near murder scene Guardian Unlimited
London teenager seriously wounded after shooting InTheNews.co.uk


Fresh Calls to Fight Gun Crime After Latest Teenage Shooting
ChristianToday - 35 minutes ago
A teenager has been seriously injured in an east London shooting incident, which took place just minutes from where youth Adam Regis was killed last month.
Man Arrested After 19-Year-Old Shot In London Life Style Extra
Teenager hurt in street shooting BBC News


Boy killed in knife attack
ITV.com - 25 minutes ago
Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with a gang knife attack that left one boy dead and another critically injured. A 13-year-old and a 19-year old are in custody in connection with the attacks.
Third arrest over teenager's stabbing Guardian Unlimited
Murdered boy had been stabbed before Independent

A Cemetery

Cemetery, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

This is a cemetery next to London King Cross Hospital.I think the hospital and cemetery have been close together for over a decade for some reasons.


Sorry for the poor quality of photo as I took it with my Motorola mobile phone. I have to take more footpath in order to avoid bright sky light which would make the photo darker . You know camera phone has not got too much options. I rarely bring my camera when I go out as my mobile phone is reasonably good and convenient for taking photos

Hammersmith course

Hammersmith course, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

It is in one of the theatres at Londn King Cross Hospital. One day course for job interview (£240). I think nearly 500 doctors altogether attended on that day.

King Cross Hosptial

King Cross Hosptial, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

This is King Cross Hospital where I took a course a few days ago. It is in West London. The nearest tube station is Hammersmith.

Thai banned YouTube

The Thai government has banned access to the YouTube video-uploading website after it broadcast material critical of the country's king. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6528303.stm

At first I thought Thai were too fussy and fastidious. But after reading the story,
I feel that action would be right thing to do. Sometime I feel those people abuse "Freedom".

At first it was OK ,,,,Freedom of speech,,,, freedom of publishing,,, freedom of love,,, freedom of religion,,,But an action under the name of freedom, insulting someone against over 50 millions of people's wills is ,I believe,ethically wrong. This would lead to some negative impacts.

YouTube and Google should respect people's concern and dignity. Basically Thai King is a respectful and great person, I believe.

Economic Sanction, Dictatorship and Partiality

well, I have been living in Britain for a bit long time. So I learnt that whenever US and Britain don't like a particular government, they are ready to put economic sanction. But, if someone supports what they want to do, they would neglect that person even though he is a dictator. Take the examples of deceased Chile general and Pakistan President.

Personally, I don't like china's policy. But I am happy china's economy is growing very fast, taking over Britain and very soon without cheap Chinese products, there would be difficult situations in the west.

I would guess in the next 50 years, china would be ready to impose economic sanctions against Britain and US.

China Produce....safe?

As a cat lover, this news makes me shocked.

A source close to the investigation tells CNN and ABC News that the RAT POISON, was found on wheat that was imported from China and used by Menu Foods in nearly 100 brands of dog and cat food.

A lady on the tube trying to be good

A lady on the tube, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

This was on London Underground. I can't remember which line. Last Sunday, I went to central London where I enjoyed chinese foods. I saw this lovely lady reading a book.The title is "HOW TO BE GOOD"

King's College London

King's College London, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

This weekend I took a course at London King's College which is 3 min walk from London Bridge Tube Station. As you may know, now I am working in a small city in midland England. Friday night I came back to London together with my colleague, an Iranian lady who also resides in London. She drove her car, taking nearly 2 hours on 97 mile-trip as it was pretty congested. Many doctors working in our hospital normally live in nearby big cities like Northampton and Leicester and the majority goes back to their places during the weekends.

A snowy day

A snowy day, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

It was early February 2007. That is what I saw from my room in mid land England.

Kitchen

Kitchen, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

That is the kitchen what I have to share with other doctor. Room fee is to rise from £333 to £345 in this April.I mean we have got our own bath rooms. We only need to share this kitchen and living room. But we rarely cook as the hospital restaurant is more convenient for us. There chicken casserole is my favourite

My desk

My desk, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

really small desk I ever have. It's in my new place.

Low class sick people eat cat

I found out this news on google page.

Malaysians on lookout for cat-eaters
Sunday Feb 25 16:19 AEDT

AP - Animal lovers are keeping a close eye on cats and dogs in a southern Malaysian state amid fears that foreign labourers have made meals out of missing pets."It might be normal for people from Vietnam or Myanmar (Burma) to cook cats and dogs, but this is definitely not accepted here," Shahrir told the New Straits Times.http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=229274

I don't know about Vietnam. But in Burma,99.99% of people never eat cat and dog meat.(In fact Burmese are not a great meat eater and many never try beef and pork traditionally ) But I must confess there are a few who steal other's cats and dogs for meat. It is relatively common among low socio-economic class. I used to live in Yangon 8 mile close to a local police residential houses where poor police men's families live. We lost dogs and cats frequently. Eating cats and dogs is also a habit of some ethnic minors living in mountainous areas, but not true for the majority of Burmese. There is no such foods available in restaurants across Burma.

I don't know who Shahrir is.But he is patronizing Burma, showing that he has got an atrophic brain prematurely.When I see those south east Asian nations from Europe, these are more or less the same in terms climate, cultures and traditions.

Tourist Girls from Europe

06-02-07_1058, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

2 weeks ago, I was awating my rail at London St.Pancras rail station. I saw those girls from Europe. I think they were on holidys or maybe doing school tasks.

Now I am in new place

Early this month, I moved from London to a small town in midland. It is not far away from Leicester. Although it is only 100 miles away from capital, people look frirendly and relaxed. At work it is not too much busy so far compared with the 980 bedded hosptial where I used to work in London. But I feel I do need to learn many things and adapt to the new place after living and working in a big cosmopolitan city for some years.London is OK, I know most of the things and I know about people whatever they are good or bad. At least I can guess. I know many town centres. Here is the different. I still don't know yet. One interesting thing is many doctors working here are moving between other midland cities. It is only me who came from London. Working system is a little bit different.Differernt forms.. different routines....hmmmmm

Scottish wolves and Balancing theory

After being completely destroyed over 2 centuries ago, Wolves are welcome again to Scotland to balance deer over population. According to news, there are over 500,000 deers in highland.

Balancing theory is universal truth I think. Nature never allows unbalanced situation or unequal situation to grow for a long time.Nature never allows any extreme activities. People enjoy too much freedom in sex. Balancing action of venereal diseases and HIV emerged. World's population has grown alarmingly. This would be stopped or reduced by man-made global warming. People travel too much. Unusual viral illnesses appeared. A few century ago, Asia was invaded by Europeans. Now Chinese and Indians are making their homes in the west, starting to control the larger area of the world. Britain's richest man is from India. British health care system and US IT industry have been under a big influence of Indian people. Last year China exported goods worth 27 billion£ or something like that to the UK. Britain dispatched ?27 million tonnes of rubbish to china where people need to expand land. I don't mean Britain's main export is rubbish. The nation has been doing well with its service industry. We don't need to own automobile companies or too many industries which are not environmental friendly, causing global warming. Am I right?

A Londoner and London black cabs

DSC_3514.JPG, originally uploaded by olotini.

The Rocket

DCP_2230, originally uploaded by MoKenStef.

This was used to send men to the moon back in the 60's and early 70's according to photo owner. This is near new Orleans

Medium caffeine intake "does not affect pregnancy"

These days I've been pretty busy. This is my quick post about relationship between caffeine and pregnancy.

Drinking moderate amounts of caffeine during pregnancy does not lead to premature births or underweight babies, Danish scientists said on Friday.

Up to three cups of coffee a day does not seem to have any negative impact on the baby or the pregnancy.

Earlier studies that looked at the impact of moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy have produced mixed results. Some showed no difference while others suggested too much caffeine could lower average birth weight by 100-200 grams (3.5-7 ounces).

More:

Beckham and his new job in LA

A landmark 250 million-dollar, five-year deal has made David Beckham the world’s highest paid footballer. The deal with Los Angeles Galaxy will make Beckham the highest-paid player in major league Soccer

Beckham has turned down offers from Italy, France and the Premiership to take up a £128million, five-year deal in Major League Soccer, a move some believe rules out any hope of an England recall.

More about Beckham on Wikipedia

Some facts about Nelson Mandela

* Mandela became the oldest elected President of South Africa when he took office at the age of 75.

* He speaks fluent Afrikaans, a language disliked by many black people because of its roots in colonialism.

* Mandela is known for his fondness of Batik textiles. He is often seen wearing Batik shirts, known as "Madiba shirts", even on formal occasions.

* In 2003, Mandela's death was incorrectly announced by CNN when his pre-written obituary (along with those of several other famous figures) was inadvertently published on CNN's web site due to a lapse in password protection.

* The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, wants a statue of Nelson Mandela installed on the north terrace of Trafalgar Square, although thus far he has run into opposition.

* As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dick Cheney voted against a congressional resolution calling for Mandela's release from prison. Years later, Mandela would call Cheney a "dinosaur".

* Mandela spoke in the Olympics "Celebrate Humanity" campaign with the words:

For seventeen days, they are roommates.
For seventeen days, they are soulmates.
And for twenty-two seconds, they are competitors.
Seventeen days as equals. Twenty-two seconds as adversaries.
What a wonderful world that would be.
That's the hope I see in the Olympic Games.

* According to the Time 100, he is one of only four people in history to have shaped both the 20th century and the early 21st. The other three are Bill Gates, Pope John Paul II, and Oprah Winfrey.

* The Nelson Mandela Invitational charity golf tournament, hosted by Gary Player, has raised over R 20 million for childrens charities since its inception in 2000.

Are you rich man or poor man?

You may have learnt how well off you are. This is a Rich Meter hosted on Channel 4 web site to check your wealth position in the world

Good news for dog owners

I have a concern about my obese cats,feeding only diet cat foods. For the dog owners, I think this is a good news as FDA approves first drug for obese dogs.

The Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) on Friday announced the approval of Slentrol (dirlotapide), a prescription drug for the management of obesity in dogs.

Slentrol reduces appetite and fat absorption to produce weight loss. A veterinarian will determine whether the dog should be treated, based on the dog's weight and general health, the federal agency said in a statement.

"This is a welcome addition to animal therapies, because dog obesity appears to be increasing," said Stephen Sundlof, director of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. "Veterinarians are well aware that overweight pets are at a higher risk of developing various health problems, from cardiovascular conditions to diabetes to joint problems."

Full story

how many and how much in NHS?

how many and how much in NHS, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

Our jobs and salaries are at risk when goverment is trying to sort out the financial problem in NHS. In my opinion, running and promoting private wards would be the answer. At the hospital where I work, there is a private ward, but a little people know about it. In fact the same consultants are working in BUPA and hosptial. Here is the news article about job cut in NHS
www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2532405,00.html

Visitor cat

Visitor cat, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

This ginger cat is our visitor from nearby house. He just has a nap in the living room after eating something.

A pub

A pub, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

This pub is near London Bridge tube station.

2007 New Year Night, London

2007 New Year Night, London, originally uploaded by steve_ever_green.

I took this photo from London Waterloo Birdge on New year night. As it was too crowded I did not get a good view for the fireworks.