http://www.davidoliphant.net Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:00:32 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en My jaw dropped when I read this article in The Scotsman online newspaper this evening. Taking the logic expressed in the study, not only would there be less of a drain on health costs; but any type of pension or Social Security would be expending less money. Who knows where ... http://www.davidoliphant.net/2008/02/06/obesity-and-smoking/ In honor of this celebrated Scottish poet, here are the words of one of his favorite poems; To A Mouse. Also, an excerpt from To A Louse:- O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us! It wad frae mony a blunder free us, An' foolish notion: What airs in ... http://www.davidoliphant.net/2008/01/25/rabbie-burns-day/ After returning from spending Christmas at Angels Camp, I was surprised to get a call from a friend with whom I had lost touch about 30 years ago. Jim Malinowski, along with Joe Ward, Dan McNerney and myself were the foursome who founded the unofficial 'Commonwealth Club' which celebrated all notable ... http://www.davidoliphant.net/2008/01/06/another-voice-from-the-past/ It is not too often I going shopping with Joyce; but when I do, I carry a book with me, find a seat in the store, mall or stay in the car and stay in touch via our cell phones, if necessary. Now, although this works in principle, Joyce ... http://www.davidoliphant.net/2008/01/02/shopping-together/ To all those Scots and other informed folk, a Happy Hogmanay and New Year to you all. May your New Year be happy, healthy and prosperous. The traditions of Hogmanay are still carried out by me; even though I have been away from Scotland for 52 years. At least ... http://www.davidoliphant.net/2007/12/31/hogmanay/ Well, after three years absence, today it was return to work for me; ever so briefly. Toward the end of November, I volunteered to assist my prior employer in the stuffing and mailing of organizers by the end of the year. It is not a big job; nor ... http://www.davidoliphant.net/2007/12/04/work/ This is going to be a very short but relative post. Briefly, you know who your friends are when your back is against the wall and they are there for you. I've been on both sides of that fence. That's it. http://www.davidoliphant.net/2007/12/03/a-friend-in-need/ Last night the sleepies caught up with me. Starting out at 11:00 PM on Friday, in order to help Joyce regulate her insulin pump deliveries, it was necessary for me to check her blood sugar levels every two hours until 7:00 AM on Saturday. It is easier for me to stay awake ... http://www.davidoliphant.net/2007/12/02/catching-up-wth-me/ As a follow-up to my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon, a prescription was filled for Lidocaine patches to be applied to my neck. When I picked up the prescription, there was a moment of stunned silence as the price was rung up. $182.04 !!! Yikes !! The one saving ... http://www.davidoliphant.net/2007/12/01/yikes/ On Wednesday night, we dined at the Guadalajara and were almost treated like royalty. Maybe the tips are too generous. LOL We barely had time to sit down before Roberto dashed over to greet us; as Mama and Papa. It looks like we have been adopted. ... http://www.davidoliphant.net/2007/11/30/language-barrier-part-2/