Obesity
A report today says that we must take action to prevent obesity.
The government is just dithering, as it doesn’t want to lose votes.
I am only a bantamweight and I like to think that over the years, I’ve kept myself fit. Even after my stroke, I still exercise appropriately and have started to play real tennis again. I’m the same size as when I left University and got married in 1968. I also wear the same made-to-measure morning suit that I had made in about 1975.
My weight and core strength are just two of the factors that helped me survive the stroke. The most important one was that in Hong Kong, I was put on a clot-busting drip within an hour of the stroke. That now happens in many parts of the UK.
So instead of dithering the government must take drastic action to cut obesity.
Taxes on junk food, alcohol,tobacco and other unhealthy foods must be raised severely.
In addition, I would inspect all food shops, cafes and restaurants. Those that had a too sold a too high proportion of unhealthy foods and drinks, would have to reduce that level or close.
I would also introduce a yearly medical for everybody. If you are outside of certain parameters, then your driving licence would be suspended until you had reformed.
In an ideal world tobacco would be banned, but why not make sure it is only available from specially licenced government-owned shops, as alcohol is in Norway? Remember, I believe that my youngest son died partly because of his smoking. Are smokers selfish enough to wish all of that grief on others, by continuing with their vile habit? Every time I pass an obese smoker partly blocking the street, I make an appropriate rude remark. One day someone will try and hit me, but even in my state, I still feel I could outrun most of my targets.
Much of this post has just been read out on BBC Breakfast. I bet that lost them a few viewers.
But if we don’t take action, more and more of our taxes will go to subsidise those who abuse their bodies.
BIlly Connolly Uses a Bible for a Roll-Up
Billy Connolly has confest to using pages from a Bible to make a roll-up. This is one of several reports.
I always wondered why they went to the expense to put a bible in hotel rooms. Now I know why!
The Real Safety Issue
At present I’ve got roadworks outside my house, as they replace the pavements. Safety is paramount on the site and we have plastic barriers everywhere, so no-one trips up. Unfortunately, last night one had probably fallen over and it tripped me over as I came in last night. Luckily I fell backwards with my bottom on the soft plastic barrier and only made myself look rather silly for a few moments.
This morning it’s raining hard and one of the workmen, is standing there unable to do anything, having a quick cough and a drag. He’s still got his high-visibility jacket, boots and hard hat on though.
He’s much more likely to die of cancer than in any accident on the site.
Perhaps as with many issues, we get our priorities wrong.
Hackney Bans Smoking In Parks
According to this story, Hackney Council is going to ban smoking in children’s play areas.
I would support a wider ban in the borough to include all parks and bus shelters.
A Boost For All Widows
Darren Clarke’s victory in the Open is to be welcomed. I suspect too, that a lot of widows will find his win heartening. I certainly do!
I do wish he’d give up the cigars though!
Text Messaging Is Good For You
This article in the Guardian reports on a study where motivational text messages helped people to quit smoking.
I’m no psychologist, but it strikes me this technique could also be used to stop other additions and help in losing weight. And why does it have to be an SMS message? Could it not be a desktop alert or an app for a smart phone?
I’m certain a decrepit programmer like me could write some of the software.
Growing Old Gracefully
Joan Collins gives a superb interview in The Times. Buying the paper was worth it just for this quote, after she was asked how many men ha been her lovers and the interviewer had been surprised – “As I’ve been married five times, I’m more of a serial bride than a mattress!”
I did meet her once and from the pictures in the paper, she probably looks better now. But another of her comments about Bette Davis (difficult and ascerbic and coered in cigarette smoke) does suggest that she has given up the evil weed.
If she has, good on you, Joan and long may you keep us amused and entertained.
New York Bans Smoking In Public Places
Where New York leads, the rest follow. Let’s hope London and the UK follows this one.
Three particular places, where people smoke annoy me; bus shelters, pavements where the space is limited and Greek restaurants. Last week I burned my arm on someone’s ciggy. I was just told rudely to mind what I’m doing, but it was either bump into the obese smoker or walk in the middle of a busy main road. Luckily he got my right arm, not my left.
The Angel, Islington Is Now Clean and Tidy
This picture shows how islington have cleaned up the Angel.
The New Pavements at the Angel
It must have impressed the BBC as they conducted interviews for BBC Breakfast one day last week on the pavements on the opposite side of the road to this picture.
Just before I took this picture, I had bumped into a person of the female gender, who had just got off the same 38 bus as I had. I won’t call her a young lady, as she’d debussed (does it have one s or two?) and immediately stopped to light up her cigarette. As I was close behind her, I walked straight into her. I apologised profusely, but got a mouthful. Whereupon I told her that she should stop smoking, as it will eventually kill her! Possibly it will be sooner than I think, as she immediately wandered in front of the 38 bus to cross to Islington Green. Luckily for her the driver was paying attention to the lights, which had turned red.
It must be very disheartening for the council, as the pavements were already covered with discarded cigarette ends and chewing gum.
Cuban Cigars on Mykonos
Really! I thought the Americans had banned Cuban cigars everywhere. So perhaps they’ll invade Mykonos next!
Cuban Cigars on Mykonos
Don’t the Greeks smoke enough anyway?
After all, one of the reasons I left Mykonos, was because there was just too much smoking. And in quite a few restaurants too!
The Anonymous Widower 