God likes yeast

Indeed. Why shouldn't he? In fact, He likes yeast so much that when He made yeast He gave it six copies of each chromosome, providing enough genetic diversity to survive any disaster that might happen. Not only yeast, but many other organisms too.

Think like Arnie!

Following on the heels of my last post, I found an excellent article about motivation for weight lifting.
Maybe it doesn't take a whole lot to get me inspired, but reading this really got me excited. It's geared towards American men (probably) who want to have ripped muscles, but I think the message can be applied to every area of life, to anybody of any age.

Be like Arnie!

Today I came across a fantastic article about weight-lifting that puts into words what I try to tell people over and over again, but the author does it so much better. Women in particular need to read this, because most women tend to react quite strongly (read "negatively") when I suggest weight-lifting as part of a long-term weight control effort. They think they're going to turn into Arnold Schwarzeneggar overnight! I should be so lucky... well, I probably wouldn't want to get THAT big, but he is a physically impressive guy and still has incredibly intense workouts that would make many gym-bunnies weep and cower in a corner for days.

Considering that modern lifestyles are generally sedentary and peppered with junk food, weight-lifting for both sexes, or at least some type of regular weight-bearing exercise, seems an essential way to stay healthy. The body-builders diet is strictly controlled and full of healthy fats, essential proteins and balanced with complex carbohydrates, and has long-lasting benefits.

Almost two weeks ago I began intensive training again, following the Body for Life exercise and eating regime (modified for a vegetarian diet) and have already received compliments from people telling me I look very fit and healthy. It works!! I don't spend half as much time slaving away in the gym as I used to, but my workouts are energetic, challenging, fun, and already showing benefits.

With any change in lifestyle, it all begins in the mind. You really HAVE to want it. Go on! Give it a try - you might like it...

The A9

This stretch of road is one of the most dangerous and appalling in the UK. I travel along this road on many occasions for work purposes, and I have to honestly thank God for keeping me safe as I've travelled. The reason I write this is because over the past few weeks, there have been several fatal accidents at various points.
The road in itself is not dangerous. The people who use it are maniacs. Despite having a speed limit of 60mph, I regularly get tailgated or overtaken when I am driving at, or close to, 60mph. At night there is very little lighting at certain points so I tend to slow down to 50, probably frustrating the queues of drivers itching to speed off into the night. Being in the Highlands, there tends to be foul weather from time to time, so again I slow down, and again frustrate the maniacs behind who desperately value speed over safety.
Occasionally I pull over to take a rest from the horrors of the A9.

Today, more people have died on the A9 in what was a terrible crash. MPs have recommended the road be upgraded to a dual carriageway. Why spend a fortune on building extra roads when the speed limits are not enforced? I'm not a fan of speed cameras and other devices to slow people down; I think speed cameras on motorways are silly, but on long, dark, and dangerous stratches of roads like the A9, a few speed cameras and police patrols would generate MILLIONS from the nutcases who frequent its tarmac, and the money could go towards medical care for people involved in such accidents, and the emergency services who spend precious hours trying to save lives.

Rant over...

Places with unusual names

Let's begin with Moron, Cuba. Apparently, Hotel Moron is one of the friendliest places in Cuba, largely because the staff are training to work in tourism in other areas of the country. Even local people are reputed to be even friendlier than in other places. Who knew?

Love INC (a helpful devotional)

Our Daily Bread has a devotional about love in the name of Christ and it made me think of an article in the "Onion" regarding God and his rule about not killing. Ok, so it' s a work of fiction in parts but (hopefully) gets the point across.

PhD blues

It's the realisation that there's so much to do, not enough time, a consistent lack of results and perpetually incorrectly calibrated machinery skewing my data that I ultimately have to unskew manually.
Combined with working anything from 50 hours a week (more like 65-75), and I'm ready for a holiday.

I guess being stuck in Aberdeen for the past few weeks doesn't help.

I need a holiday, some good food, a bit of sunshine, and a regular working day: probably too much to ask at this point. Help!!