Anthropax's Old Blog

Oh the humanity! · "Magnetic bandages can help wounds heal faster," says the Daily Mail, which is certainly a headline that invites close reading. "A magnetic leg wrap has been successfully used to treat wounds that have failed to heal for years ... Doctors found that seven out of 10 patients who used the magnetic wrap in the trial had no new outbreaks of leg ulcers." Call me picky: first, they say "doctors", but there was only one doctor in this operation: step up Dr Nyjon Eccles, proprietor of the hugely entertaining www.chironclinic.com, where you can get your "Photon Detox Therapy" done, buy some nutrient pills, and read all about the excellent Airnergy+ system. "All chronic pain, suffering, and diseases are caused from a lack of oxygen at the cell level," says our Dr Eccles. Second, when journalist Roger Dobson says "seven out of 10" we assume this is a palatable way of expressing statistics. He's even used natural frequencies, like a good boy (www.badscience.net/?p=8 ). But seven out of 10 is closer to the raw data than you might think, since there were only 26 patients in this pilot study from the Journal of Wound Care that he's reporting on. That's only nine more subjects than Dobson's previous record, when he told us that "Night Eating Syndrome affects an estimated 1 million people in the UK," and that for 30% "their symptoms were wiped out" with Sertraline. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals (who make Sertraline) funded the study: not a big drain on their resources since it only had 17 subjects, wasn't blinded, and had neither a placebo control group nor, in fact, any control group at all. Headline news! http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/badscience/story/0,12980,1555323,00.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,,1556061,00.html *Vomit* *Vomit* *Vomit* *wipes mouth* *Vomits again*

La verità è un sciocco di destra dell'ala Die Wahrheit ist ein rechter Flügelidiot 真実は右翼の馬鹿である 真相是一个右翼蠢货 de waarheid is een rechtse dwaas правдой будет дурачок правого крыла η αλήθεια είναι δεξιός ανόητος ...wie geslacht met kippen heeft

It's a cliche to say that a book, once picked up could not be put down, but this was true today. I purchased the combined book of 'If this Is a Man' (Se Questo e un Uomo) and 'The Truce' (La Tregua) by Primo Levi a couple of days ago, but knowing how Shoah (שואה) literature and media make me feel, I had not really started until today. This should be required reading in schools. It clearly tells one mans account of The Holocaust (although I dislike the word, due to it's original meaning), and although this does not really meditate upon the destruction as his later work does, there are still thoughts on the situation as well as his fellow inmates. There is, however, the disadvantage that any personnel account of the Shoah has; the survivor writing it is inherently exceptional, a unique case, surviving often through a quirk of fate. I'll read La Tregua tomorrow and have a think about it.

... Is the third oldest degree awarding institution in England and Wales, just after Oxford and Cambridge. It is the smallest public university in Europe, but has one of the largest Religious Studies departments. The Chancellor is HRH the Prince of Wales, and it specialises in Theology, Philosophy, English, History, Anthropology and Classics.

Well, grades came out on the 18th, and I suppose I sould tell you how I got on. I didn't get into my first choice Uni, but did get into my second choice one. This means that I'll be studying (for one year at least) at the University of Wales Lampeter. It's the only small 'liberal-arts' college in the UK, with lots of modular things, and is well respected in the fields of Theology, Anthropology and Archeology. I'll be studying Anthropology and Religion. These links may inform those that need it: 'Liberal Arts' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_arts Lampeter Uni http://www.lamp.ac.uk/

Nipped up to Hereford today, and the following happened:

• Ambushed by Hare Krishna monks and gave them money - they gave me a book
• Purchased 'If this is a man' by Primo Levi
• Ate at a vegetarian cafe that is also a church
• Drank mint tea with Alice in Starbucks
• Purchased 'Garden State' at Virgin megastores
• Got very nervous about results tomorrow

I've done it! My first 'proper' good Friday went well. I had to go to a shopping centre to purchase a tie for my little brother (for a wedding tomorrow). In Chepstow, I decided to pop into a little indie bookshop. I spied a book that I enjoyed reading, and walked up to the owner. I asked for book tokens to the value of the book, and then asked if I could put them in the book, and put it back on the shelf. Although the lady looked bemused, she said it would be ok. After putting the book on the shelf, I scampered out feeling utterly fantastic. I won't know the person who picks the book and has the nice surprise, and they won't know me, so it's a nice 'shot in the dark'. It seemed a hugely liberating thing to do, and gave me a buzz, as well as making someone in the future's day better.

To celebrate this occasion, I have purchased a (very) small cake, lit a candle on it, and sang a small song. Pictures may well be posted tomorrow, as well as documentation of an act of kindness. Over and out!

Well, it seems odd to think that a year ago, a younger version of me sat down and decided to give this whole crazy blog thing a go. But, a year it has been. Over that time, I've made friends, as well as foes, I now know people from three continents. This has been a great big opportunity. I've found some people by following the interests section of my profile, some by following the 'next blog' link, and others by simple chance.

I'm going over my blog archives, looking for the titbits of fried gold that make this what it is, and as I come to them, I'll let you know. First few months: Not much really, mostly self-centred things about what I did, not posting very often (at one point, only one post in a month - bad, bad days) January: Plays that I went to see/Talk about Uni applications/getting a job Febuary: Photos of Greece/talking about Interview March: Miho Museum/Failed driving test/Random Monday Top Ten/Election musing April: Visit to London/New Pope/Pass Driving Test May: Hitchikers Film/Personal Statement/Labour Back In June: Exams/Daily Wail (and the arguements!)/Digital Camera/Going to Hong Kong!/Free Zach Now July: Socialism Quiz/Protest/Hong Kong! Goodness, what a tour. There should be some suitably dramatic thing to celebrate the first birthday. Suggestions below please!

In five days time, this blog will have been in existence for exactly a year. That's a very long time, and looking back over the year, there have been highlights and bad bits, ups and downs. Therefore, to celebrate, I'm going to revisit classic moments in the life of the blog, and ask for memories. This new fantastic feature will be known as... Anthropax Gold! I may buy a little cake on the day, and perhaps raise a glass to this blogging thing, that has allowed me to discover so many weird and wonderful people. Thank you blogger!

http://www.zefrank.com/condi/ Humph will love this. There's a lot of other funny stuff on the site as well.

I signed up to join Danny Wallace's new country a few weeks ago, and today, I recived an email from him reminding me about the coverage that starts tonight. Here is the text: Hello!It is I! King Danny! Your friend and hopefully your ruler! And guess what? The time has come for me to reveal the first, early days of our brand new country! History in the making! And you (he means me, anthropax, not you, the reader) are part of it! My journey begins TONIGHT, Wednesday August 3rd, at 10pm on BBC2! It's called HOW TO START YOUR OWN COUNTRY, and in it, I'll be attempting to secure us a territory - looking at islands, invading somewhere, and evenmeeting the man who owns the moon. And that's not all - straight after the show, press the red button, andyou'll be transported LIVE to CITIZEN TV... where you'll be able to call meon air, e-mail me, text me, and help me shape a nation. You can e-mail me NOW in the studio, and Imight read it out tonight... what should I do with the country? How far should we take this? What should we call it? Or do you fancy phoning me? Call 08700 10 10 80 (lines open at 10pm and UK national rates apply). Or check out the incredible new website - going live later on today - athttp://www.citizensrequired.com Remember - my country needs you! Over the next six weeks, your decisions and input will change the world! Well, a country, anyway. See you tonight, Danny PS. Click this link for a sneak preview of How To Start Your Own Country...http://www.citizensrequired.com/_/teaser

Forgive me bank manager, for I have sinned, and spent most of my wages on sinful books, arthouse films and post-rock music. These sins are: 1 of: Moab Is My Washpot [Paperback] By: Stephen Fry 1 of: THX 1138 [1970] [DVD] By: Robert Duvall (Actor), et al 1 of: Pi [1999] [DVD] By: Sean Gullette (Actor), et al 1 of: Yes Man [Paperback] By: Danny Wallace 1 of: Free World: Why a Crisis of the West Reveals the Opportunity of Our Time [Hardcover] By: Timothy Garton Ash 1 of: The Liar [Paperback] By: Stephen Fry 1 of: My Own Private Idaho [DVD] By: River Phoenix (Actor), et al 1 of: Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven [Audio CD] By: Godspeed You Black Emperor 1 of: Rock Profile [DVD] By: David Walliams (Actor), et al 1 of: Alexander (Two Disc Edition) [2004] [DVD] By: Colin Farrell (Actor), et al These offences have taken place over the period of days between the 16th July and the 30th July.