Two contrasting stories:

South Africa’s highest court ruled Tuesday that gay and lesbian couples can adopt children, becoming one of only a handful of countries to sanction the step [CNN].

A recent report by Los Angeles County shows that hate crimes were up in 2001, with the bulk of new attacks based on Sept. 11 backlash and an increased number of assaults against the GLBT community [PlanetOut]

On this day…

2007: A Mastery Of Technology
2006: Schumacher to quit at end of year
2005: Staying For Breakfast
2004: Where’s Matt’s Tongue?
2003: A Video Moment

Today it poured with rain and once again London seemed to flood. My office was without power all afternoon. Given that we Brits are, apparently, obsessed with the weather, let’s see what it’s doing when you’re reading this!

On this day…

2005: A Giddy Schoolgirl
2004: Cuties At Lunch
2003: Gem

When did you learn about the birds and the bees? I have to be honest and say that I really don’t recall any parental talk and I am not sure how I would have felt about it – especially since I knew I was gay. Well, according to The Christian Science Monitor (obviously not something I read everyday),

 while it may seem that youths are more attuned to peers, media, and pop culture, experts and teens alike say parents are needed as role models and cultivators of values in today’s confusing, image-saturated culture

[ The Christian Science Monitor | Story ]. {Via Metafilter]

I am sure I should say some more here but I’m not sure what.

On this day…

2004: Listen To Musak August 2004
2003: Stephen is Man of the Moment

Without stating the obvious, and as a direct follow on to yesterday’s insightful comment, today is September. September is great because it signals Autumn and that’s my favourite season. I am not good in heat and sun and tend to dislike the dampness of winter. Autumn is cool and crisp without being damp and soggy. Autumn has the wonderful rustic, golden colours that work so well with a cloudless blue sky. The light will be perfect for the next two months. September, however, was always the month back to school after the long summer holiday. September is also my birthday which makes me the centre of attention for at least one day – and I hate that. I liked my birthday being in September when I was a child because it got overlooked at the start of a new term. If your birthday was in May, people started planning for it. In September, people conveniently missed it because they were talking about their holidays in the sunshine. So, I guess, September must be my favourite month – which means I was born in the right month. Twisted logic but, somehow, just right.

On this day…

2006: Technology Overkill?
2004: Long Wave Is The Home Of Hit Music
2003: Listen to Musak in August
2003: Now Reading

This is the last day of August. Why is it that time seems to go by much more quickly as you get older? Is this just an age thing? Clearly, time passes at the same rate – although I probably spend more time asleep at this point in my life (and, to the best of my knowledge, I haven’t slept for six months).

On this day…

2006: Windows Information Organiser
2004: Data Data Everywhere
2004: All The News You Need

I have been fascinated by the weather since childhood. This is not your typical British interest in the weather – which is a necessity if you live in England’s green and pleasant lands. No, I really want to understand forecasting, cloud patterns and the like. The basics can’t be that hard. Yet, I have never, ever done anything about this.

There are other things I would like to do, too. Photography, a course in British History or a wine appreciation course. Yet I never do any of them. So, first thing tomorrow I am off to buy one of those books that list evening courses and do something!

What started me off on this analysis of the things I should do? Well, news that a new weather satellite is to be launched. Meteorologists say the new technology will lead to better forecasts, especially for severe weather such as storms and fog. [BBC]

On this day…

2002: Seventeen Plastic Bags

I haven’t spoken of London’s traffic problems for a while now. This is because it’s a bad story and I am trying to be positive. I have not be overly delayed for sometime (although every taxi I take tries to navigate Trafalgar Square which is an automobile no-go zone at the moment). I also realise that London is a big city which is home to many millions of people who all travel. It stands to reason then that, if the system should fail one day, movement will be difficult. I know that an integrated public transport system run (efficiently, effectively) for the people is a (very) long way off. Still, it did amuse me to read that, “London’s road traffic is travelling at its slowest ever pace, averaging less than walking pace, according to a new report”. [Yahoo]

On this day…

2004: Comment Template Problem

Ah, ITV (Britain’s original commercial television network). From their website:

This channel – which has done more than most to build the cult of celebrity – has taken its first step toward atonement by placing a group of celebs (the type who take a bow each time the fridge light goes on) and place them in the Antipodean wilderness.

The programme is I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, which should be worth watching for the title alone. It’s made my day.

Now when celebrity Lance Bass shouts, “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here”, it takes on a whole new meaning. Lance, a member of boyband N’Sync may actually go into space. I thought this was a wind up when I first heard about it, but apparently not:

He is being sponsored by a consortium of major companies and Hollywood producer David Krieff, and has signed a preliminary contract for the mission – but recent reports have suggested that he has missed deadlines to pay the $20m flight fee.

[BBC]

On this day…

2002: Half-Hearted Bollywood

I don’t want to play food facts today …

• The typical American now consumes approximately three hamburgers and four orders of french fries every week.
• McDonald’s operates more playgrounds that any other private entity in the United States

Should we be worried? [Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser] And that’s only from the introduction!

On this day…

2004: Remember August

I do like the sensitive side of this country! Today’s Media Guardian web site reports that “Pot Noodle’s controversial adverts using the line The slag of all snacks have been banned from appearing on TV after more than 300 viewers complained”. 300 people actually bothered to complain about a television advertisement. I would really love to know whey they felt this was inappropriate. I thought they were some of the funniest commercials that I have seen in a long time and the word was used in a humours, self-deprecating way. How can calling a plastic pot of fast food be that offensive. Such a shame they were pulled. However, I don’t really see the point as most people have seen them anyway. Anyway, here is a gratuitous link to the most offensive words in the English language! Wonder if any of the complainers have a web site where they outline their complaints. I’d love to know. [Ref: Media Guardian]

On this day…

2005: Run London – Here I Come
2004: Madonna
2003: Helsinki Re-Visited