farmdoc's blog post number 587

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…
1. sick of unwanted calls from unwanted people trying to sell me unwanted goods and services, I joined the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s 'Do Not Call Register' [1]. The Australian Direct Marketing Association has called telemarketing 'the lifeblood of commerce in this country'. Screw them.
2. the Liberal Party, bitterly divided over Rudd’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, is in the process of imploding [2]. It couldn’t happen to a nicer lot of people. Rudd’s performance on global warming/climate change is appalling. Theirs is abysmal. Shit eh.
3. talking of which, the Nutrition Diva told me that bananas contain a type of fibre called pectin that absorbs water in the intestines and so can help with diarrhoea. Also bananas are high in potassium, a nutrient that can be depleted by diarrhoea [3]. I love bananas regardless.
4. saw the launch of bicycling tours around my area (i.e. the Great Western Tiers). Maps and podcasts are downloadable from the website [4]. It’s a great idea. But…
5. I saw that so far this year the media have reported nine crashes involving log trucks [5]. These crashes have been State-wide. Nevertheless cyclists are no match for log trucks. And they never will be.
6. it was reported that up to 40 plug-in electric vehicles – either full electric or hybrid – are being developed by the world’s motor manufacturers for launch within three years, propelling electricity to the forefront of alternative transport [6]. That’s great news – both environmentally and geopolitically.
7. I read that male staff at a UK National Trust property are being encouraged to piss on a compost bale, saving the organisation water via less toilet flushing. But also to create nutrient rich compost activator. Yet women are excluded - their piss is considered too acidic! [7]. Ho hum.
8. Sweetheart Vivienne was invited to read from Alzheimer’s: a Love Story – at the prestigious Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas [8]. At 6 p.m. on Monday 15.3.10. Good for her. I’ll be there. You couldn’t keep me away.
Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.