Life, the Universe and Everything.....
Some of Ian's thoughts on things (not to be taken too seriously!)
I once commented to a mate that what we were talking about was an
OXYMORON
and his next question said it
all. He asked "What's an Oxy?"
If you want to know the meaning of LIFE, ask an earthworm. Think about it. A
lowly earthworm never eats a
living tree root, or a seed waiting to germinate, because they are alive. How
does it know? But cut the root from
the tree and the worm will start to consume it almost immediately, because it
is dead. Amazing!
Speaking of DEATH. Do you ever worry about dying? We shouldn't be too upset
about it. After all, if we take
Professor Stephen Hawking's calculations as a guide, we were dead for about 12
billion years before we were
alive. We should be used to it.
We often hear that "money talks" - but often it doesn't make much sense.
The WEATHER seems to be something which fascinates us. My old Pa Parsons used
to unerringly predict rain
a day or so in advance by observing that loose bits of chaff in the horse
trough would float to the surface and
hang there vertically when a low pressure system was approaching. He used to nominate or
withdraw his horses from races and
make other important decisions on the strength of that knowledge.
Don't be too hard on mosquitoes. Even though your brain is thousands of times
larger than theirs, can you fly
yet?
Although I am a great lover of History, one thing I have learned is: "Don't look back! You'll only get dust in your eyes!" Lorraine has taught me to look ahead and what I see often makes me very happy.
If you really want to see inside my head (as if) read my favourite book: "
Guards! Guards!
" by Terry Pratchett.
Generally, however, the first thing I look for in a book is the Index. If the Index grabs my attention, there is a fair chance I will read the book. Usually, "No Index, No interest". I guess that is why I love History and Biography so much.
Favourite
Oxymorons
Good Government
Negative growth
Two Monopolies Commissions
Military Intelligence
Favourite Quote
Reporter: "Why is your research so important?"
Marine Biologist: "Well, if we do find any animals which have become extinct, we'll be the first to know".
(Truly! - I wrote this down as soon as I could stop laughing long enough to hold a pen).
Closing thought
We only reach true Wisdom when we accept we have probably forgotten more than we currently remember. -IMB 2005.