The Achinoam Nini Page "The Web's first and largest Achinoam Nini fan site". So says its creator, (and I think it's great, and much better than the official site); he goes on to say that Noa is "Israel's greatest female singer". There I part company from him: I think that honour goes to Chava Alberstein. Ofra Haza would have been in the running too, had she lived. Forget her disco stuff — listen to Yemenite Songs. I believe that has also been released under the title Fifty Gates of Wisdom.

Nevertheless, Noa is wonderful. I'm listening to her singing Nocturno, and it's sending shivers down my spine. Here is a translation of the lyrics taken from the CD liner notes. They are by Leah Goldberg and have been translated from the Hebrew. Can't find details of the translator.

All the stars hidden away
and the moon in a pich black night
From the north
to Yemen
not a ray of light.

Morning, loyal widower
clutch your grey sack tight
From the north
to Yemen
not a ray of light.

No light, not a ray of light.

Light a small white candle
in this darkened tent,
this heart of mine
From the north
and south to Yemen
then a brilliant light will shine!

The light, the light will shine.

Ay caramba! Is it really this long.

A most heartening article in my daily e-mail from the BBC today, on the role of painkillers in preventing Alzheimer's. There is even hope that a treatment may follow. If there is an upside to my taking anti-inflammatories for all these years, it must be that.

Blogging is big business according to New biz on the blog, an article in today's Guardian. Apparently "Weblogs are one of the few things online still capable of generating both media buzz and bucks".

WOOHOO!!!!



CNN.com - Fox renews 'Simpsons' through 2005 - Jan. 17, 2003

Message from Blogger Control in response to my issue: one of the BlogSpotPlus servers was down — hence the disappearing archives. That hasn't resolved my problem with the other two blogs though. Think I'll let the dust settle for a few days in the hope it'll right itself.

Now to more sensible matters. The Daily Mail [yuk] has published a fearless exposé of Kabbalah, which it calls a religion. Firstly, Kabbalah is not a religion: it is a mystical expression of Judaism. Secondly, the 'pop' Kabbalah espoused by Madonna et al has nothing to do with 'real' Kabbalah. For more on the latter go to Aish.com and click on Spirituality and then on Kabbalah101. You will find only good wholesome fare there. The site makes it clear that the study of Kabbalah cannot be divorced from the study of Torah.

WOOHOO!!! they're back, they're back! My own dear little Archives.

I want my Archives (and I want them NOW!!!)! I've had nothing but trouble since I opened the new blogs!!!!

WOOHOO!

Cracked it! I'm up to my ears in new blogs. Must have been a temporary glitch .

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Ever the optimist, I tried using Netscape. No luck!

I don't understand how I can publish this blog and not others.

Throws self out of pram.

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STILL SULKING

I tried applying under a different user name and going for a basic blogspot. Same problem. What is happening. Checked at Blogger control. My 'issue' is still unreviewed.

Throws out rattle to join teddy.

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[SULKING]

I just opened a new blog, but every time I try to post to it I get the message "oops, not ready to publish. Try again" (or words to that effect). I popped over to support, and, sure enough, that very issue was covered — last September, when Blogger was hoping to resolve it soon. I can do it through my own ftp client, uploading the page like a regular web page, but that's not the point.

Throws teddy out of pram.

I'm a Type Four — what are you?


Enneagram Institute

free enneagram test

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Not sure if I've posted this before (I'm blogging from a distance thanks to "Blog This!"), but it's excellent, so no apologies for doing it again.GRiM Software has produced this great little inspirational tool for writers called "Musings". Best of all, it's FREE.

Lord of the Rings
I haven't seen either of the films — I thought Tolkien's trilogy was too wonderful to risk spoiling it. But here's a fun site. Have you ever wondered what your Elvish or Hobbit name might be? I'm sure you have. Well fret no more. Help is at hand. Click on the links below and all will be revealed.

I journeyed to Middle Earth and found that my Elvish name is Eámanë Elanessë (Nindë Elanessë if I use my full forename). My Hobbit name is Bramblerose Hardbottle, which doesn't thrill me mightily; if I use my full forename it is the marginally more agreeable Flora Hardbottle.

From Personal Journaling Magazine: The Art of the Blog.
Also from the magazine at WritersDigest.com, advice on how to "Create a Journaling Space"

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Hubris!!! (See my post of 4 Jan) We are now in the grip of snow and ice (in this neck of the woods it's more the latter) and have been for the last few days. I believe it started on Monday. The wind this afternoon, although very strong, seems a little warmer, or, at any rate, less cutting.

Another cheesy quiz

Results...
What Cheese Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Oh yeah — it's stopped snowing

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It's snowing! And here's the proof:



It won't last long — it rarely does in the sub-tropical paradise that is this little corner of the South-East. Nevertheless, the children opposite are making a valiant attempt at a snowball fight. Not bad considering the snow cover must be all of 1 cm thick.

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Auld Lang Syne: a rant

Below are the words of the poem by Burns. This is not the only version, but it is the one sung all over the world as the New Year begins. Or is it? Hands up who thinks I've made a mistake? Who thinks the fourth line should read "For the sake of auld lang syne"? If you do, then this rant is aimed at you. You are responsible for my starting the New Year, every New Year, with gritted teeth. If you are a Scot, then shame on you. Things seems to go better across 'the pond' — well they do in the movies and TV, which is sadly my only experience of the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Auld lang syne means simply "days long past" or "the good old days" or words to that effect. So asking if one should forget one's old friends for the sake of the good old days is nonsensical. Obviously the malefactors (who seem to be in the majority) are confusing the last line of the first verse with the last line of the chorus. That is an explanation: not an excuse [wags finger].

To find out more about the songs, and to see more versions and more verses, go to Cantaria, A Critical Analysis of Auld Lang Syne, or The Singing Christmas Tree.

And a Happy 2003 to one and all!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my Dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o kindness yet
For auld lang syne