The Jolly Jumjoogler

To answer Hingmie's original question - Vancouver. Mrs Jumjooger's sister is living there right now, as she and her man are two years into a three-year work placement in Victoria through his company. I'll fly directly there from work in Trinidad and will meet the missus there. I'll fly back to Trinidad once my month is up and she can stay on and spend some extra time with her sister, which will be nice for them as they are very close. We had three weeks there last year and it was hot and sunny for all but half of one day. Vancouver Island is enormous and there is so much to see and do there. On top of that, a pleasant ferry trip takes you to Vancouver City and everywhere surrounding - such as Whistler. Vancouver has recently been voted one of the top city destinations in the world and I can see why, although there are other cities I personally prefer - such as Sydney and San Francisco. Another short ferry ride will take you to Port Angeles in Washington State. Last year we drove right around Olympic National Park with the intention of staying in the State capital, Olympia, only to find that there were three major events taking place and not a bed to be had within a one-hour drive. So, plenty of options, with the choice of repeating some of last year's trips or planning to see completely new places. Until I visited Canada, it held absolutely no appeal for me. I can't believe how blinkered, and how wrong, I was, though I should have known as I had exactly the same attitude toward Australia until I went there. Anyway, can't wait.

This story raises so many issues. However, the issue of most immediate importance must surely relate to the fairness of the Nat Fraser trial. If the prosection perverted the course of justice in the original trial, then the decision to uphold his appeal is correct and shows Scots law to be flawed in this case. However, what are the potential ramifications for the future of Scots law if the UKSC decision ultimately leads to a retrial which results in his subsequent release? The question which would then tweak my conscience would be, how do we balance that outcome, and it's potential impact on the future independance of Scots law, without consideration for whether or not Nat Fraser is truly innocent or guilty?

I agree with Borderlass. This smacks of some sort of social experiment and isn't something to which parents should be subjecting their kids. They can have no idea of the potential psycholigical effects this could have on the child - over and above having to answer to such a stupid name. Chances are, that at a very early age, the child will be subjected to abuse, ridicule and physical attempts to illicit his / her true gender. The more this world (supposedly) develops, the more I wonder where it is all heading.

The great thing aboot grandweans is ye kin haun thum back when yer knackered an' need a brek.

Saw this bloke yisterday and he wiz drivin an RAC van an' crying his eyes oot. Ah thot tae masel, "That guy's heading fur a breakdown".

Story o' mah life that is.

Jist chekke3d the result an we loast 1-2 tae a goal in injury time. That happins tae us a lot an, if we dinnae learn tae tighten up et the end o gemmes, we vwull be fur the drap fur shoor. Nice tae know yez ur thinkin aboot me tho'.

An Arabic family wis considerin pittin thur grandfaither, Abdullah, intae a nursin hame. A' the Arabic facilities wur cumpletely full, so they hud tae pit him intae an Italyin hame. Efter a fyoo weeks in the Italyin facility, they came tae visit Grandpa. "How do you like it here?" asks the grandson. "It's wonderful! Everyone here is so courteous and respectful", says grandpa. "We're so happy for you. We were worried that this was the wrong place for you. You know, since you are a little different from everyone." "Oh, no!" says the auld yin, "Let me tell you about how wonderfully they treat the residents", Abdullah says wi' a big smile. "There's a musician here - he's 85 years old. He hasn't played the violin in 20 years and everyone still say, "here comes the 'Maestro'". There is also a judge in here - he's 95 years old. He hasn't been on the bench in 30 years and everyone still calls him 'Your Honor'. Then there's a dentist, - 90 years old. He hasn't fixed a tooth for 25 years and everyone still says, "here comes 'The Doctor'". "And me - I haven't had sex for 35 years and they still say, "here comes that F*kk*n Arab". Byrawiy, ah liked Sams "Joke of the Year"

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I recently paid three kwid fur two feet of Velcro. What a rip off.

I watched the first "An Idiot Abroad" before heading back here to work and thought it was brilliant. Karl Pilkington was visiting the Great Wall of China and giving his own take on the whole experience. To be honest, I wasn't always sure whether he was being genuinely and naturally funny, or if some of it was scripted between him, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Either way, I've got Mrs Jumjoogler recording the show while I'm away, so will be watching it all when I get back. I believe he's been to the Taj Mahal and Petra since I've been over here, so my guess is he may be visiting the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. Worth tuning in, as it's informative as well as very funny. I think it's on every Thursday, but not sure which channel.

So, that rools oot Heidcase.

I leave here on Monday 25th, but don't get home until Tuesday afternoon. Anytime after that should be a possibility for me.

What are the dates for your planned trip Tam? I'm due home in two weeks.

Reflections of a Vancouver vacation: http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://