[i'm back] 2nd crash was worse than the first

May I tell you about it? Have to get it off the chest. Yesterday’s crash wiped out my E disk with all addresses plus all downloaded programmes, including the IntelliMouse plus the Bat. As you can see from the posts, we worked on it yesterday and got the system back up but then it crashed again this morning – this time one hard disk was completely gone. All photos, music and video went with it. New hard disk is not cheap, even over here. Knowing there were a lot of e-mails banked up, we did everything to get it receiving then the other guy had a brainwave. One phone call and yep – the delightful provider had me blocked for being a naughty boy. Now it seems to be back but I’m saying nothing, touching wood and hoping Mr. Kaspersky will do his bit.

[sunday quiz] 10 more mystery countries

Here are ten more to test your knowledge of the world:

11 This country is mainly black and it was a member of the British Commonwealth, then it was expelled, then reinstated. It has a large population in London. There are two main regions – north and south and one of the languages is known as Ebu. They have an excellent national football team.

Next nine plus answers here.

[president] woman in the white house

The experts say this is the contest. In recent interviews, Hillary Clinton said she had “no intention” of running for president in 2008 but did not rule it out [if pressured to stand]. If she did, some say National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice would be the perfect Republican to pit against her. Democratic strategist Doug Hattaway said Rice's gender would be a big bonus for the Republicans in a race against Clinton, but added that he doesn’t think a contest between the two females would focus on topics like abortion and family leave. “It would turn on who has a better vision for the country, on who would better lead the world’s only superpower.” Either way, America, prepare ye the way for the first female Chief Exec and good luck to you.

[ashes] don’t know how much of this to believe

You’ve probably already read this: London Tube bombers plotted to kill the Australian cricket team by spraying sarin gas into their change rooms during last year's Ashes series, a friend of the terrorists claims. Al-Qaida commanders allegedly ordered the suicide bombers to get jobs at Edgbaston Cricket Ground and wipe out the Australian and England players. They were instructed to release sarin gas, a highly toxic nerve agent that is one of the world's most dangerous chemical weapons. But cricket-loving terrorist Shehzad Tanweer apparently objected and instead the terrorist cell perpetrated the July 7 underground Tube and bus bombings that killed 56 people and injured more than 700. What a hero.

[crash] e-mail problems continue

It has not been a good day. Unfortunately, all is not well and my reinstallation of The Bat allows me to send out e-mails but not to receive them. The password gets in the way and I’ve tried everything to remove it. So for now, should you perhaps wish to send an e-mail to me, try this:

nourishingobscurity@hotmail.com

[kashrut] how kosher are you

1. Certain animals may not be eaten at all. This restriction includes the flesh, organs, eggs and milk of the forbidden animals. 2. Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be killed in accordance with Jewish law. 3. All blood must be drained from the meat or broiled out of it before it is eaten. 4. Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten. 5. Meat [the flesh of birds and mammals] cannot be eaten with dairy. Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy. [According to some views, fish may not be eaten with meat]. 6. Utensils that have come into contact with meat may not be used with dairy, and vice versa. Utensils that have come into contact with non-kosher food may not be used with kosher food. This applies only where the contact occurred while the food was hot. 7. Grape products made by non-Jews may not be eaten. Do you pass?