Honesty in Death

I found this and thought it good enough to share - The inscription on a grave reads:

"Donald Robertson, born 14th January 1785, died 4th June 1848, aged 63 years.

He was a peacable, quiet man and to all appearance a sincere Christian.

His death was much regretted which was caused by the stupidity of Laurence Tull in Clothister (Sullom) who sold him nitre instead of Epsom salts by which he was killed in the space of 5 hours after taking a dose of it."

How hysterical is that? well - not really - but talk about honest.

I have pinched this directly from Wikipedia - just in case - like me I had no idea what Nitre was.

Niter (US) or nitre (UK) is the mineral form of potassium nitrate, KNO3, also known as saltpeter (US) or saltpetre (UK). Historically, the term "nitre" – cognate with "natrium", an old word for sodium – has been very vaguely defined, and it has been applied to a variety of other minerals and chemical compounds, including sodium nitrate (also "soda nitre" or "cubic nitre"), sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate. This article is about the mineral form of potassium nitrate, which is the usual modern meaning.

Niter is a colorless to white mineral crystallizing in the orthorhombic crystal system. It usually is found as massive encrustations and effervescent growths on cavern walls and ceilings where solutions containing alkali potassium and nitrate seep into the openings. It occasionally occurs as prismatic acicular crystal groups, and individual crystals commonly show twinning. It is most common in arid environments. It is a soft mineral equal to gypsum on the Mohs scale and has a low specific gravity of 2.1. It has refractive indices of nα=1.332, nβ=1.504, and nγ=1.504. It readily dissolves in water.

Niter has been known since ancient times. The name is from Hebrew néter, for salt derived ashes. It may have been used as, or in conjunction with soap, as inferred by Jeremiah 2:22, "For though thou wash me with nitre, and take thee much sope . . ." However, it is not certain which substance (or substances) the Biblical "neter" refers to, with some suggesting sodium carbonate. A term (ἀφρόνιτρον) which translates as "foam of nitre" was a regular purchase in a fourth-century AD series of financial accounts, and since it was expressed as being "for the baths" was probably used as soap [1].

In literature, Edgar Allan Poe invokes the supposed Saint of Nitre repeatedly in the short story "The Cask of Amontillado" (1846), in which the main character uses the nitre to his "advantages", as it slowly murders his enemy. Fortunato's health worsens, until Montresor takes his revenge in the form of immurement.

You can't escape the taste

mourTo tell you what the advert is about would really spoilt it - suffice to say I laugh every time I see it. Great imagery and you can't beat the smell of crispy bacon to bring back memories...

The new Heavy Machinery Training Video

My brother and my cousin both work in large companies responsible for the major road works around the country. They have worked in the industry for over 15 years and have driven and operated most machinery required to build roads.

I showed them this clip and their mouths hung open. I am guessing it is pretty impressive - I mean it was for me - but even more so for those who know how hard it is to do.

My brother tells me that the guy operating this must have incredible strength - as the steering wheel would be just about ripping his arms off while he is doing this maneuver.

The Most Incredible Airpilot EVER!!!

This guy is amazing. The skill and timing needed to do this is incredible. I can only imagine the terror his family must have felt as tehy watching this unfold.
Man I'd be shaking for weeks after this.

DIY advert from NZ

Classic - and of course our New Zealand cousins have always got to have dig.. well done advert.

Fried Surprise

What was for Christmas dinner at your place?

Well - we all joke about it.. Here it is..



To be honest - they all look very fat - good meat on them... Guinea pig next perhaps??

All I want for Xmas

ok - its a bit late.. but I laughed.... apologies to the folk whose homes burnt down over the festive season...