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So we've had a bunch of polls and a yearly countdown of the favourite movies of all time, but how about those that you might not have been expected to like, but did. Or those that you might not have ever watched willingly, but ended up really liking them.

One that sticks to mind for me is "As good as it gets"

From nicholsons excellent protrayal of an OCD sufferer to the always beautiful but sorrowful helen hunt, this was a movie I really enjoyed and love to see when it comes on again.

Just what they need.

http://environment.uk.msn.com/news/headlines/article.aspx?cp-documentid=8375582


Beaver set for comebackBeaver set for comeback

pa.press.net
The European beaver is to be reintroduced to the wild in the UK, Scottish environment minister Mike Russell has announced.

He has given the go-ahead for up to four beaver families to be released in Knapdale, Argyll, on a trial basis in spring 2009.

The beaver was hunted to extinction in this country in the 16th century for its fur.

Mr Russell said: "I am delighted that this wonderful species will be making a comeback.

"They are charismatic, resourceful little mammals and I fully expect their reappearance in Knapdale to draw tourists from around the British Isles - and even further afield."

Other parts of Europe, with a similar landscape to Scotland, have reintroduced beavers with positive ecological benefits, he added.

The trial will be run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland over the next five years, with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to monitor the progress.

The beavers will be captured in Norway later this year and released into the wild next spring.

"I very much hope to see them flourish in the woods of Knapdale and lay the foundation for a wider reintroduction in other parts of Scotland," Mr Russell added.

Professor Colin Galbraith, Director of Policy and Advice for SNH welcomed the decision, saying: "For the first time we will have the opportunity to see how beavers fit into the Scottish countryside in a planned and managed trial."

I am sure there is more than one serial w**ker among us, but aside from the obvious - what are your worst traits?


Myself, im an avid nose picker. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than getting that schnozzler clean. Drives the wife mad. I used to only do it when I was alone - but now Ive started broadening out and think nothing about having the digit in there up to the second nuckle walking around the grocery store.


Its ok - you can tell us.

[Two years ago, the body of a dead toddler was found in the fridge of his drug-addicted parents in the northern city of Bremen. Also in 2006, a woman in eastern Germany was sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing eight of her babies.]

With the austrian imprisoning his daughter - the irish couple passing out drunk while supposedly taking care of their children and now this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7383837.stm

Babies' bodies in German freezer 

A family member told police about the three babies

The bodies of three babies have been found in a basement freezer in the town of Wenden, in western Germany, prosecutors say.

A woman believed to be the mother of the three has been arrested, a state prosecutor's office spokesman said.

The three were not stillborn, police said, but the cause of death and the infants' ages have not been released.

There have been several similar cases in Germany recently, including a woman jailed for killing her eight children.

The babies appeared to have died shortly after birth and were in the freezer wrapped in plastic bags, the prosecutor's office said.

Post-mortems are to be conducted to establish the cause of death, it added.

'1988'

One of the bags contained a newspaper from 1988, indicating the babies may have died that year, AFP news agency quoted police investigator Herbert Fingerhut as saying.

 


Officials said a couple with three children aged 18 to 24 lived at the house.

Two of the couple's adult children found the babies when they were looking for something to eat while their parents were out, police said.

"They both decided to get a pizza and realised that the freezer had to be cleaned up because it was full of out-of-date food," Mr Fingerhut said.

"It was then that they discovered the first bag."

One of the couple's sons went with his parents to the police, who then searched the house and arrested the 44-year-old woman, who is believed to also be the mother of the three babies, German media have reported.

It is not the first such case in Germany.

Two years ago, the body of a dead toddler was found in the fridge of his drug-addicted parents in the northern city of Bremen.

Also in 2006, a woman in eastern Germany was sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing eight of her babies.
She had buried them in flower pots and a fish tank in the garden of her parents' home near the Polish border.

Ive been told on more than one occasion that a player calling to another team mate to "leave it" or "let it go" constitutes speech play - and is therefore illegal.

I just happened to score after telling one of our players to leave it yesterday - only for another team mate to tell both me and the ref that "thats speech play - you wouldnt get away with that at home". The teammate is a former lisburn distillery player - so id believe he would know the rules - unless he was mis informed.

There is no reference to this in FIFAs laws of the game (the official rule book) and id like to know if y'all have any ideas/experience about/with this so called rule...

We have been peppered with moderate earthquakes over the last month, ranging from the negligable to 4.2 on the rhicter scale yesterday afternoon. At 3 am this morning one pretty close to the house went off at 3.2 for about 20 seconds. The whole house shook like crazy waking everyone up and it scared the bejasus out of us. Authorities have issued a warning that Reno is due for an earthquake in the 6 range sometime soon. Must admit that the prospect of one that large is a little unsettling. My house is right on the river - Id hate to be washed down to vegas.


Anyone else ever experienced earthquakes in the flesh?

Just thinking about the ulster championship here and Im begining to get very excited about it - this could be the most open Ulster series in a number of years. Thankfully tyrone appear to have started to improve just a little, and with Brian McGiugans return - there is a glimer of hope for a decent level of competition with in Ulster at least from a tyrone perspective.

Down... McKenna cup winners - seemed to be flying in early 08 and always prove a handful for the tyrone full back line at the best of times. We arent in the best of times this year, so it should be an interesting first game.

Armagh - the weekends result against dublin, the re finding of form by Clarke and McDonnell and the very fact that its armagh means only a fool would write them off for provincial glory and a longish run in the all ireland series.

Monaghan - Last years beaten Ulster finalists and the team that nearly (and could have) put an end to the kingdom. There or thereabouts for a couple of years now, talented squad - good size. Will be looking and working for a breakthrough year.

Donegal - Always there or there abouts.

Derry - this years ulster representative in the national league final. A tough tough team to beat. Maybe the best full back line in Ulster at present and with Paddy Bradley able to hit form, they will prove a handful for anyone - especially in the later stages of the all ireland series. A serious contender for Ulster honours...

Tyrone - No hope at all. Down only have to turn up.... 

100/1 the field.


Anyone with any predictions?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/default.stm


Even the folks on the "web forums" get a wee mention.

Makes the northern bank look like a tea party.


http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=4352885


The Milan jewelry heist that brazen thieves committed as the world's focus was on the gem-wearing Oscar stars could have been ripped straight from a Hollywood script.


Top GMA stories
Obama, Clinton Come Out SwingingCrafty Mom Catches Teacher on TapeGood Economic News on the Horizon?Related Topics
Tilda Swinton
While the year's best in film were christened Sunday, robbers snatched $20 million in gems from Damiani headquarters, one of the most famous jewelry stores in the world.


The burglars dug a three-foot-wide tunnel into the store while the company's executives partied alongside A-list clients in Tinseltown.


The calculating crooks spent a month digging the tunnel, which began inside a cellar in an empty building next to the jewelry store. They took advantage of the ongoing construction in the area to avoid raising suspicions.


When the time came to pounce, the bandits used an internal staircase in the showroom to avoid the security cameras. The group of seven, which was disguised as police officers, restrained employees with cable ties and construction tape.


They then forced the store manager to open the safe deposit box in what seemed like a real-life "Italian Job." In that film a group plotted an elaborate jewel heist.


Italian police said they expect arrests "rather quickly."


"Run and spend as much as you can because it won't be long before the gates close on you," said Jack "Murph the Surf" Murphy, who pulled off America's biggest jewel heist in the 1960s. "The thing they don't show in the movies is, they don't show everybody doing a lot of time in prison."


Damiani didn't lose all of its jewels in the theft. Best supporting actress winner Tilda Swinton borrowed a bracelet and a ring from Damiani for the award show.

Anyone know how to re size or change the format of videos taken with a digital camera? They are coming out around 70MBs and Id like to maybe be able to email them (under 10MB would be great).


Cheers.

I was watching the discovery channel the other night and a program called Man Made. Anyways, one of their most common features are all these Islands off the Coast of Dubai that people are developing as a ( n other) playground for the rich and famous. So I was watching anyway and these 3 Irish fellas were on and their plan is to recreate Ireland on one of these Islands. Ive googled what I can of it, and here is the beginning of their site


http://www.worlddubai.co.uk/irelandinthesun.htm


They are planning on recreating the Giants causeway (actually a smart move as it will protect the shoreline from being eroded by the waves created by passing boats). They are irrigating the island with an underwater irrigation system to make it "green like the rolling hills from home". Irish pubs, music and so on.

Maybe this is old news, just found a link to it on BBC from July... feck it im not deleting the thread now.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6918900.stm

Could this possibly work??

Folks, I need to know if there is any chance of tickets for the Ireland Wales game. My old man is busting to get to the game. Any help/advice greatly appreciated.

Does anyone still do these? I remember being at one when I was very young, and everyone was all excited about the sandwiches and the cream buns. I know this is the time of year for them, does anyone frequent them or even host them in their house?

Freaky stuff.

http://www.milaadesign.com/wizardy.html

[The group's Web site notes that God also hates Sweden, Canada, Ireland and Mexico]

These loonys in Kansas - where will they end up?

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080131/NEWS18/80131020&oaso=news.rgj.com%2Fbreakingnews



RENO (AP) — The Kansas-based church that protests at the funerals of U.S. soldiers, claiming the servicemen are dying because God hates gay people and America's tolerance of them, has decided that God hates Reno too.

"Reno is a dangerous place to be, with the curse of God upon Reno," the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., said in a news release this week. "God hates Reno, Nevada."

Police Chief Michael Poehlman called the church's statement "despicable," especially because it begins with references to Brianna Denison, a 19-year college student who has been the target of a search since police believe she was abducted from a Reno home on Jan. 20.

"If Brianna Denison dies, blame the corrupt Reno Police," the church's statement said, adding that church members will "picket her funeral, in religious protest & warning."

Shirley Phelps-Roper, an attorney and member of the church, said Wednesday they targeted Reno because local law enforcement officers failed to protect three church members who picketed a memorial service here Saturday for staff Sgt. Sean Gaul, who was killed in Iraq on Jan. 9.

The group says its protests are intended to highlight their belief that God is killing U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan to punish America for condoning homosexuality.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reported that the protesters — carrying signs that read "Don't waste your tears on fallen soldiers" and "God Hates Fags" — were encircled by about 150 people, including members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who support fallen soldiers.

"They had a little bit of talking back and forth, nothing loud," Washoe County sheriff's Lt. Dean Spurr. "I thought it was very peaceful."

But one of the protesters, Phelps-Roper's 21-year-old nephew Joshua Phelps, said the group tried to push him and the other two protesters into a barbed wire fence. He said one man cut an American flag out of his hand with a knife and another man punched his cousin in the back several times.

"The police stood by and not only didn't do anything to keep the peace and make them obey the law, but helped choreograph the mischief," Phelps-Roper told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Topeka on Wednesday. "They let those bitter bikers lay hands on our people."

So is Reno the only city that God hates?

"Oh no, hon," Phelps-Roper told a reporter. "God hates America, but you guys (in Reno) have got a special wrath upon you for what those men did."

The group's Web site notes that God also hates Sweden, Canada, Ireland and Mexico.

Phelps-Roper said Reno also is on God's bad side because of the community's "filthy manner of life" — including gambling and "policies of divorce and remarriage, which the lord Jesus Christ says is adultery."

"Now, like you didn't have enough trouble already, you raised your hands against the servants of God," she said.

Jeff Lockhart, national communications officer for the Patriot Guard Riders, said his group works in cooperation with law enforcement agencies and has a strict policy against any interaction with the church's protesters. He said the church routinely accuses his group of engaging in confrontations that never occurred.

"I will not officially respond to baseless accusations that are simply fabricated to gain an additional 15 minutes of press time," Lockhart said in an e-mail to AP.

Washoe County Sheriff's spokeswoman Brooke Keast said Thursday the protesters walked past two deputies after the incident and made no complaints about the way they were treated.

Poehlman said police made sure the church's protesters were allowed to exercise their right to peaceably protest away from the actual memorial service.

"I think they just had sour grapes because they didn't get what they wanted out of that event," Poehlman said. "I know they were very upset that we would not allow them to be front and center at the funeral."

Poehlman said violent crime has declined in Reno in each of the past two years. He condemned the group's reference to Denison, adding that the "terrible situation" regarding her disappearance "doesn't mean Reno is any less safe than any other community."

"I think it is despicable for someone who says they are Christians, a church affiliated with Christian beliefs, to any way cause greater suffering to this family," he said.

A spokeswoman for the Denison family said they had no comment.

So my old man has decided he wants to get into the property market in the US. Currently he is looking at new condos in and around the Reno area. Considering his broad tyrone accent, the quality of the phone line and the 8 hour time difference - I am the one doing all the looking and asking of questions.

Trouble is, I dont have a clue. Help will be greatly appreciated. Here is what I know (or think I know) so far:

1. You cannot offer a price for a property verbally - you must make a written offer (contract) which will either be accepted or counter offered by the title company - is this correct???

2. The market is a buyers market right now, especially for new properties that have been vacant for over a year. My question is that for a $175,000 condo - how much can I realistically offer, or expect to pay?

3. For what ever price I ask, what should I ask to be included (finishings, furnishings, closing costs etc).

4. How do I avoid getting the shaft?

Have an emailed document which im trying to open, its a .wps file. Im hopeless, any help from our resident nerds I mean computer whizzkids?

Could have went in the things that make you go what the fcuk thread, however I think you will agree that this deserves a thread of its own!! It even makes it onto ESPN.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNG3sgk02Lc



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q395-F6hAcg&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Em36g-vlOY&feature=related

I dont know that any of these things have ever happened at the Puck residence!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7190029.stm


Mother denies toddler sex assault 
 
A County Antrim woman has gone on trial accused of sexually assaulting her two-year-old daughter.
The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child, has been charged with wounding her daughter with intent.

She is also accused of indecently assaulting the child last October and child cruelty. She denies the charges.

Belfast Crown Court heard that doctors believed the child was injured up to 24 hours before being brought to hospital.

A jury of seven women and five men were told that several doctors believed the injuries were consistent with sexual assault.

A Crown prosecutor told the jury that on 5 October the woman brought her daughter to her local GP, who referred her onto hospital.

The court heard that the child was kept in hospital and was examined by another two doctors.

Forensic samples

A PSNI investigation began and the youngster's father and grandfather were both arrested.

After forensic samples from both men were analysed, nothing was found to connect either to the alleged sexual assault and they were both released without charge.

Officers were told by the girl's mother that no other adult had been in contact with the child during the time the doctors believed the incident occurred.

The court heard it was the Crown's case the defendant was "the only adult alone" with the youngster, adding that due to "her account, given the nature of the injuries and what she said about her daughter, she caused these injuries".



Depressing and shocking stuff.