Easy Sudoku for 18/September/2007

couldn't resist

DETROIT -- A small but growing coffeehouse chain is changing its name amid concern that the moniker meant to celebrate the seed of its main product also is a disparaging term for Hispanics.

Beaner's Coffee, based in East Lansing, Mich., on Friday informed franchisees and employees at its 77 stores in Michigan and eight other states that it would become Biggby Coffee, effective Jan. 31.

"That just doesn't really fall within our mission to have a name that is derogatory," Bob Fish, 44, Beaner's chief executive, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "We felt it was important to do the right thing and change the name."

To those of you who are interested, I have posted a few new pictures on Flickr.

A California-based fast food chain will sell Mexican-style grilled chicken deep inside the deep-fried South and begin expanding beyond its West Coast markets.

“We’re giving the South, which loves its chicken, a healthy, wholesome alternative to fried chicken,” said Steve Carley, CEO of Irvine, Calif.-based El Pollo Loco Inc. (pronounced El Po-yo Lo-co). Translation: The Crazy Chicken

The suburban Atlanta restaurant, which opened at the end of August, is the first Southern location for the chain, which is ranked 70th in the nation’s list of top restaurant chains based on sales according to Restaurants & Institutions magazine.

Insiders says Prince Charles is in talks with producers about a documentary-style film which seeks to tell us how to lead better lives by working more in tune with nature.

Although negotiations are at an early stage, film-makers are keen for the Prince to play a key role and possibly narrate the movie.

While a 90-minute lecture about society's problems might fail to enthuse even ardent royalists, Hollywood producers believe they have hit box-office gold.

The project - nicknamed Harmony - follows the success of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth.

Charles is said to be enthusiastic about a film which will explore his beliefs that there is a 'worrying imbalance' between man and nature.

It will draw on his experience as an organic farmer, and as a campaigner against GM crops and ugly architecture.

It will also be an opportunity for the Prince to expound on his beliefs that society has lost touch with the wisdom of past ages in its search for faster and more flashy technology.

If the film goes ahead, some scenes are likely to be filmed at Highgrove, Gloucestershire, where the Prince owns an organic farm.

One scene being discussed involves the Prince watching bees in his gardens, commenting on how well they work together before the film cuts to a frantic city high street.

The Prince is in talks with documentary maker Stuart Sender who made the Oscar-nominated film Prisoner of Paradise, tracing the story of a Jewish cabaret singer who is forced to make Nazi propaganda films before being sent to his death at Auschwitz.

Sender and colleagues were in Britain earlier this month scouting for locations to shoot the Harmony movie.

A spokesman for Clarence House said the film was "one of a number" of projects being discussed and it was 'early days'.

The Prince is said to have been involved in finding other contributors to the Harmony project. One is the Indian scientist and environmental campaigner Vandana Shiva, who shares many of Charles's concerns on environmental issues.

Some royal advisors are concerned that the film could send out the wrong message. The Prince is still living down an off-the-cuff admission he made on television 20 years ago that he enjoyed talking to plants.

There are also fears the film could provoke complaints of hypocrisy against a man who runs three large houses and jets around the world.

I made one of my fitness goals today - I swam 1 mile enjoy your day, Mary -

Some refer to the smell of fruit, hay and ripe apricots. Others to horse blankets, barnyard funk, pencil shavings and leather, just to name a few of the more peculiar descriptions of the odour of wine.

There is scientific evidence to suggest that wine buffs may just be talking rubbish, or at least that they greatly overestimate their own ability to pin down a wine's particular aroma.

The findings suggest that those who claim to pick up rich aromas from fine wines may owe more to genetics than to any great expertise.

It reveals that small changes in a single gene – identified as OR7D4 – can cause a person to perceive a key ingredient of male body odour and urine as smelling like urine or, most remarkably, vanilla.

The Telegraph's wine buff, Jonathan Ray, commented: "Shock horror! So there is scientific proof that wine lovers talk rubbish. Doesn't everyone after a glass or two?

Congratulations on swimming a mile and meeting one of your goals...Wonderful Mymare.
Wagdy, Have a wonderful cruise. I'm looking forward to the wonderful pictures that I'm sure will follow.
Hope and pray this is a great day/night for all who read these few lines. Enjoy and make the best of what ever you have!

Headlines in tommorow's sports page.

EAGLES Soundly Defeat Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football!!!

Pretty confident there, Old Gal! I just hope that the Eagles (and you) don't have to eat Crow! :)

Senior Prenuptial Agreement:

An elderly couple in their 80's were about to get married.

She said: I want to keep my house.
He said that's fine with me.

She said: And I want to keep my Cadillac.
He said: That's fine with me.

She said: And I want to have sex 6 times a week.
He said: That's fine with me.... Put me down for Friday.

Judy...Confident, but not overly so....after all, I wont be on that field whipping the guys into the necessary determination needed to win...they have the talent to win this game, and I do believe they have the will to win...but, if it doesn't happen, it wont be the first time I have had to do a turnabout..but crow.....no way!

Now, now, Mamacita. Let's just wait and see, shall we? Remember the Dewey-Truman headline??

Wagdy, Mexico is wonderful, but a word to the wise..don't drink the water!! Bottled water is the way to go.

MAMA ... you whip guys????

Good luck in the game!

OLD FOLKS

A couple in their nineties was having problems remembering things. They decide to go to the doctor for a checkup. The doctor tells them that
they're physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember.

Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair.

His wife asks, "Where are you going?"

"To the kitchen" he replies.

"Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?"

"Sure."

"Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?" she asks.

"No, I can remember it."

"Well, I'd like some strawberries on top, too. You'd better write it down because you know you'll forget it."

He says, "I can remember that! You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries."

"I'd also like whipped cream. I'm certain you'll forget that, so you'd better write it down!" she retorts.

Irritated, he says, "I don't need to write it down, I can remember it! Leave me alone! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream - I got
it, for goodness sake!" Then he grumbles into the kitchen.

After about 20 minutes the old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs.

She stares at the plate for a moment and says -

"Where's my toast?

Good afternoon to all! If this picture reflects a typical home, no wonder so many lost their lives when the tsunami hit.

Now THAT is funny, EVE! And a little too close to the truth ...

FOR THE ROSEMARYS OUT THERE BY SPECIAL REQUEST. Edison Lighthouse singing "Loves Grows Where My Rosemary Goes." Enjoy!

For those of you who have asked me to re-post some other songs, I will if they are still available on You Tube.

The supermarket had a sale on boneless chicken breasts. I intended to stock up. At the store, however, I was disappointed to find only a few skimpy prepackaged portions of the poultry, so I complained to the butcher lady.
"Don't worry," she said, "I'll pack some more trays and have them ready for you by the time you finish shopping."
Several aisles later, I heard the lady butcher's voice boom over the public-address system: "Will the gentleman who wanted bigger breasts please meet me at the back of the store."

Judy...When I can get the stick from you, I'll give it a go....why? You want to help? Lol!
Kathy....you must be older than I. What headline was that about Truman and Dewey?

A guy goes into a restaurant/lounge wearing a shirt open at the collar and is met by a bouncer who tells him he must wear a necktie to gain admission. So the guy goes out to his car and he looks around for a necktie and discovers that he just doesn't have one. He sees a set of jumper cables in his trunk. In desperation he ties these around his neck, manages to fashion a fairly acceptable looking knot and lets the ends dangle free.
He goes back to the restaurant and the bouncer carefully looks him over for a few minutes and then says, "Well, OK, I guess you can come in - just don't start anything."

CG - that reminds me of a similar situation when A man bought some mudcrabs in Cairns and wished to keep them fresh so he took them on board his flight as hand luggage. The hostie offered to put them in the fridge for him. On arrival in Sydney she made the announcement, "Would the man who gave me the crabs in Cairns please come to the front of the aircraft."

Raised a bit of a chuckle amongst the other passengers.....

How can I get a game with the Eagles?

House on stilts - great way to air condition! I have a story to tell. It's a true story & happened to my NZ brother-in-law. The words are his thanks be to God! Otherwise I'd be getting ready to go to NZ!
"We've just had 3 days at Mt Cook ....timeout and a bit of heliskiing. Got the window of weather on Saturday and away we went for a 5 run day in the Malte Brun range of Mt Cook Nat Park.

Turned into a 5 turn day for me on our first run on the Monk Glacier under The Nun's Veil peak when the slab avalanche (2.5 on the scale) nailed me 20 metres from the crown of the slope. The others in the party said I disappeared completely for the duration of my ride and miracle of miracle my hand broke through when it came to a stop.

Initially while my skis were attached I knew I was in big trouble crushed under the heavy snow and I thought I had stopped but it was just the skis dragging. They must have released because I took off again. Managed to get my arms out in front of me and "bodysurfed" until the avalanche terminated me face down I thought...Nope I was face up and yeah ha my left hand broke through. Was able to extricate myself before anyone got to me and reassured a freaking Margie she was stuck with me for a while yet. No injuries but tonight I feel like I have been at the bottom of an All Black ruck! I was swept 150 metres approx. Long time to hold the breath.........

My skis will turn up in a couple of hundred years at the bottom of the glacier I guess."
I've put the photos (4) that came with th email in my Sudoku photo gallery if anyone wants to see them.

Saying Grace In A Restaurant

Last week, Anna took my children to a restaurant. Her six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.

As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, She heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!"

Hearing this, the son burst into tears and asked his Mom, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"

As is Mom held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.

He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer."

"Really?" the boy asked.

"Cross my heart," the man replied.

Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, Anna bought her kids ice cream at the end of the meal. The son stared at his for a moment, and then did something she will always remember. He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already."

Bon Voyage, Wagdy, have a super terrific time.

Rayray: enthralling as usual (as well as really funny)

Harley;
Keith (again). Have a great day.

Hugh... The female fans of the Philadelphia Eagles only allow Youthful, hardbodies to try out...the older guys who have lived and enjoyed life a bit, and are not quite as fit are known as coaches...is that the job you had in mind?.....They don't enjoy the same perks as the others though...lol!

Bugh, and you would ask for crabs or brests? How goes the auction on your house? Have you found a spot in Tas yet?

GO REDSKINS

2:26 all
I think I'd get a bit seasick living in there.

2.10 no wonder there was so much damage in the tsunami.
thank you CG, caught the re run today

Wagdy - have a wongerful trip!

Mama i thought Hugh/bugh was hardbodied and youthful?

Steve it seems you are travelling...enjoy the wine and let us know what the El Pollo Loco tastes like...

RR - loved jason and the argonauts - the harpies were what nightmares were made of once upon a time...

Have a good day/nite all x

CG - Have found a few possibilities in Tassie but can't do anything concrete until my house is sold. Auction is on the 29th of this month.

Kate
your BIL is one lucky man
Rayray PLS
fantastic effort today

Mamacita - I can't say that I'm youthful but I meet the rest of the criteria from time to time.... will that do?

Thanks for the support Billy the Star. Be careful though or you'll have to change your name to Jock Strapp. Famous Scottish supporter.....

2.42 Lori, one of yours? Great photo.

I'm a star i'm a star....tra la la...

Hugh the scots don't wear supports silly - their 'boys' hang free...sorry if this offends anyone - I know its a bit early in the morning - it might have put you off your cornflakes...

Thanx Billy, you put me off my sausage and 2 lightly poached eggs

Just for fun I'll post this one.