Today's joke

Donald Rumsfeld is giving the president his daily briefing.

He concludes by saying: "Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed."

"OH NO!" the President exclaims. "That's terrible!"

His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands.

Finally, the President looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion?"

Bush on a flag

They've got Bush's face on flags in odd places in Germany.

I think it's too good for 'im.

At the quack's AGAIN!

Yesterday evening, before I went to my Lodge meeting, I was putting on my socks when I noticed that there was a great big bruise on the tip of my left big toe. As a diabetic, foot health is absolutely crucial as if infection sets in you can lose the toe, foot, or even your leg. So I went to the quack this evening. Luckily, I was seen fairly quickly and by the other diabetic specialist in the practice (my own quack was seeing someone else). She looked at it, gave me a prescription for antibiotics, and said that if it gets much worse over the weekend I should go to the emergency room (A&E here). I expect I'll lose the toenail. That's three in two months.

The problem is that I cannot remember or place the injury anywhere. It's possible that I kicked something, or someone stepped on my toe. But I don't recall it. When you live in the big city it's sometimes hard to distinguish the little shoves, pushes, and knocks from those that injure you.

I am hoping that the bruise will go down over the weekend and that the antibiotics will do their work. I have a software testing conference this week at which I am to give a co-presentation, and I should be doing time on my co-presenter's company's stall. However, that means lots of time on my feet.

On the positive front, I've just joined the British Computer Society. I feel a bit like Groucho Marx (besides the moustache) when he said "I wouldn't join any club that would have me as a member." There are lots of advantages, including software discounts and Computing magazine, which you get when you join. I also seem to be qualified to get a certification as an experienced IT professional. All these things help on a CV if you're looking for consulting work. So that's good. I've also got a nibble for an ISEB Founcation Course in Software Testing to be given in Wales (unsure where, but would guess Cardiff). I haven't been in Wales in 11 years. If I get the gig, it'll be really nice and hopefully I can do some sightseeing in the evenings.