I do not know whether JU friends agree or not but I think we're going through a (temporary), lull at the moment. JU can be very active and inspiring, but like everything, we hit our lows from time to time. As a a loyal Joeuser I thought I'd sow a few topics out there and we can debate them adnauseam (ha ha). Lets see if you can agree or get angry over these topics for discussion: 1. General Peter Pace is narrow-minded and out of touch about gay men. 2. Senator John McCain will be 72 in 20...

I promised I would post on Egypt and Cairo from time to time. When the Aswan Dam was built in the early sixties it became known, notoriously, as the "Cold War Dam". President Gamal Nasser wanted to build a new dam on the Nile so that the water flow along the Nile could be controlled. An older dam (Aswan lower Dam), had been built in 1902 by the British but it was not successful in keeping back the waters of the river. Before this, for three thousand years, the ancient Egyptians had used ...

Travellers and tourists are advised to be cautious in their choice of a destination in Africa. See the link below (which I'll comment on), and I've added a few because they have been left out . Avoid the following places if you want to travel in Africa. As per link: Liberia--putting itself together under Mrs Leaf. Could be safe in future. Guinea--very unstable at the moment. Demonstrations against government. Nothing for tourists here. Kenya--Lovely destination. Crime the big problem in ...

Thousands of people know the old man of Giza, the Sphinx, but I have to tell you that I have a special relationship with him. Firstly I love to visit him because he has an aura--a 3500 year old aura--that I cannot explain, but I'll try. He is much smaller than he appears in pictures but his legacy is huge. Imagine, if you can, a monument that stood 1500 years before Christ. Not so long ago, in 1798 (!) the forces of Napoleon fought the battle of the Pyramids near the old man. There are many ...

I thought I'd blog on some of the aspects of Cairo tourists never see. I'll do this once a week or so.This city has some amazing stories to tell in its 1000 year history. On the eastern side of the city, close to the famous citadel, and in the Moquattam hills, lies the City of the Dead. This is a vast area of cemeteries and small mosques that has existed for as long as the city has been here. As you pass the city you will note two things: Mile upon mile of boarded up or walled grave yard. ...

I read on Times Online today that Kodak is considering selling its film interests. That's after 100 years of making cameras and film. I guess they'll concentrate on digital more. I know their digital cameras are getting better and are proving quite competitive. Last week I read that PC Warehouse will stop selling floppy disks when stocks run out , and a few months ago I heard that Dixons (UK) would no longer stock VCR's. So, it is obvious that old technology must make way for the new. I began...

Ah, the cycle of life. How it runs, seemingly, back to the beginning. It's the "empty nest" part of the cycle that we are in now. My wife and I married in the early seventies. We lived in a rambling cottage on the edge of a farm and we had three dogs. There was always an edge of panic when our bulldog, lab or spaniel got sick. You know the scene. Young couple dote on dogs, visit vet frequently, spend a fortune at the vet! Our dogs have always been important but when the kids came along the...

Everyone has heroes simply because there are people we admire and look up to. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and may be from politics, sport, the arts and entertaintment or, in fact any walk of life. A hero can be from history or the present. Most of all a hero is a)a representive of things we aspire to, or, a person we would defend in any debate because of qualities that have influenced us. A hero can be a brother, a Saint or a pop singer. One of my wife's heroes is Bob Dylan. Some of...

I am seriously thinking about my New Year's Resolutions this year. I suppose it's because I turn "six-oh" and that requires more serious thought. Here are my five resolutions: 1. I shall cut down on alcohol consumption. 2. I shall write another book (The last one took two years and landed in the bin!) 3. I shall walk more (not 1 mile a day but 5). 4. I shall take up more hobbies (I work a full day but I'm bored out of my cranium). 5. I shall endeavour to give more to the poor people of...

It's Christmas eve and my 19 year old is watching Maury "the sleaze" Povich as he tries to do a Dr Phil and cure a woman of her fear of frogs. No success, but then he goes into lie-detector mode to see whether a boyfriend is sleeping with his girl's mother. She (Mom) is telling the truth and Maury works his magic again. I call this Trailer Trash TV and one step down from Jerry Springer (make that half a step). How anyone can watch this tasteless crap beats me but I guess it appeals to the...

I really enjoyed these : "Santa sat on a worn out computer chair looking as bored as a dead rat." " The elves crept onto the stage looking like young fox terriers with worms." " The actors had the street cred of a lame donkey." " My children wanted to know why there were two Santas in the store. I explained that one was an assistant as Santa's also get the flu" " Just as the Wise Men arrived, the crib collapsed, giving a Titanic sigh." " Santa asked for a buck fifty and all I got wasa...

This story is absolutely true.The secretary at our school received a fax today. As the fax sheet rolled out so did a living, breathing mouse. He had been hiding in the fax machine. She screamed then laughed as it was the most unexpected thing to receive by fax. I told her that technology certainly had advanced since the first fax machines--now they could send live material as well! Would Joeusers with a humorous bent like to coin a sentence that sums up this new technology?

What's your favourite tipple Joeusers? A short quiz and some fact-finding. At sundowner time do you enjoy ?: A) Spirits? Whisky, rum, brandy or something else. Wine? Red, white, champagne ? Would you try an Australian, Chilean, South African or French? C) Tea or coffee? D) Beer: American or imported? E) A Coke or Pepsi. F) The fortified stuff: Sherry, Port or Muscadel? G) A cordial. Some facts for you to comment on: People in many hot countries drink a spirit made from sugar...

I am constantly amazed at the people who fall for Internet scams. It is quite easy to spot a scam and I am sure Joeusers are aware of all the silly things scammers get up to. I read in the Daily Mail recently that the Nigerian 419 still continues to draw in unsuspecting people who are naive about money matters and equally naive about internet invitations to divulge details. They are drawn in by incredibly clever conmen who want to rob them of big bucks. The elderly are special targets. Th...

Wow, Xythe posted a recipe for Italian sausages, peppers and potatoes and my taste buds went jumping. That meal would make a fine midnight snack, warmed over and perhaps filled into a baguette. My favourite midnighter is a cheese, ham and pickle baguette and I might also add some "biltong" , South African dried beef, venison or ostrich. It is very dry and hard but full of spices and it can be fried in oil to give it more tenderness and a richer flavour. Australians and Americans have jerki...