Unrelated Notes.

It was reported today that scientists from Canada, Germany and the US have cracked the genetic code of the Black Death, the great pandemic which killed an estimated 50 million Europeans during the 14^th century. Buoyed by their success, and armed with the invaluable experience thus gained, the scientists will next turn their attention to the more important question of what the hell happened to the Blackberry phone system this week.

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I spent an hour or so today trimming my front hedge, the one that borders the lane. I did so at school run time, when scores of young mothers were taking their wee’uns home for tea from the village school. Car after car drove by, almost without exception piloted by attractive young women who, almost without exception, smiled and waved at me. This is not at all a good thing for a man with my condition.