All things good come to those that wait:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42504660

Of course the press are going with "Sir Ringo".....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42504665

Martin

Well it's half five in the morning here in the UK. Dinner veggies etc all prepared, Santa's been if the gifts in the Boy's stockings can be trusted in that respect. But mindful that there are vast time differences between us all the quiet and calm here remind me of this poem by Clement C Moore - A Visit From St Nicholas: Click here for Larger readable version I hope this finds you all well. Best wishes to you all. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Martin

Hi all. It's been a blast but the time has come for me to step down from my role administering and moderating the message board. I need to kick back and just enjoy all things Paul unfettered by the obligations that role brought. The board is in good hands and I wish my former colleagues all the best going forward. There are still many exciting times ahead for this message board and Paul's web-presence which increases almost weekly Paul has a great team at MPL bringing exciting new developments to a browser screen close to you - Paul's net future is in excellent stewardship. Best wishes to you all Martin

Fun Odd News article: http://home.bt.com/news/oddnews/tricky-twister-troubles-tonguetied-testers-11363855878168 Apparently, it's claimed, this is the hardest tongue twister presently known: pad kid poured curd pulled cold One for the party season While we're on the subject, what are your personal favourites? Martin

Okay, having seen the whole thing now I concede the psychedelic tag Martin

Well it's a painted piano Psychadelic? That's a moot point ..... .... more Arts and Crafts. Martin

Did Paul once write a song She Came In through the Bathroom Window? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/She_Came_In_Through_the_Bathroom_Window The less we publish, the less likely Paul will have any intruders again. And they might not be wanting a kiss and a cuddle, or personal souvenirs, this time round.... Martin

Early post today Here's the final Mo: Now where's that clipper! What you see did have a small trim before the end of the month as the lower hairs were annoying - tickling my lower lip and - as I felt - collecting my food and drink. I kept wiping it for fear of looking silly. So it's off with it now. Interesting journey - there were quite a few joining in at work, it'll be interesting to see how many are kept beyond today. We had some much more ambitious Mo's around - the Mexican Mo was very popular with the ends growing down to the chin line. In fact there were so many it might be worth forming a team Movember group with suitable advance publicity next year. Our employer is the sort that encourages staff getting involved in Charitable work and might well be persuaded to promise a pound for pound fund match. We have branches all around the UK and could have an inter-depot competition. We have a company Intranet and a house magazine to publish MoPics.... Lord help me, what am I talking myself into? Martin

More on Comet Ison as it moves into the public domain and media outlets such as the BBC start telling the story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25052236 Even as I write that the BBC News Channel previews a news item on Ison - with dramatic graphics. Hopefully the real thing will match those in due course. Martin

The image of Clara holding the table decoration - a Xmas Cracker might be seen as somewhat of a double entendre. Besides the visually obvious table decoration - a "cracker" is a known euphemism in the UK for an attractive female that one might wish to "pull" - get to know more personally. However I've since googled the word and it's American meaning which is apparently a racist remark harking back to the slave trade is not in anyway related to my remark and observation about the picture. Even the BBC in it's blurb uses another use of the word - again as a play on words that the Xmas Episode is going to be a "Cracker":

4: British informal, a fine example of something:don?t miss this cracker of a CD an attractive person, especially a woman: you look a cracker

If this is an example of a phrase or word failing to carry it's meaning well across the Atlantic then I apologise for any unintended upset. Martin