How to avoid a hangover or not.

The only sure way of avoiding a hangover is abstinence. For the rest of us, time is the answer.

There are almost as many folk cures to treat the unpleasant, painful condition that some have dubbed the wrath of grapes as there are beers, wines and whiskies that cause it.

In Finland, saunas are a preferred antidote, in the belief that they increase the circulation and therefore sweat out alcohol's toxins faster. Russians are said to prefer cabbage soup to replenish lost water and nutrients.

In Britain, some swear by the concentrated yeast spread Marmite on toast (or, in Australia, Vegemite) while others tout Berocca -- a fizzy vitamin supplement made by Bayer AG. The fizzy tablet of choice in the United States is Alka Seltzer, also made by Bayer.

In some parts, a Prairie Oyster (a concoction egg yolk, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, Tabasco sauce and salt & pepper) has its loyal boosters. Aspirin, ibuprofen tablets, cold showers, hot baths, strawberries and peanut butter with honey are not uncommon suggestions.

Still others will swear by Green tea, pickle juice, cola drinks, fruit drinks, sports drinks or a hair of the dog that bit you (another alcoholic drink).

Some argue a greasy meal such as bacon and fried eggs or perhaps pizza will do the trick. Others favor ice packs, milkshakes, a blend of herbs with cardamom, ginger and citrus, or dietary supplements containing borage, artichoke, and prickly pear.

Unfortunately none of these remedies work, according to researchers from the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth.

After a comprehensive review of the medical trials, abstracts and studies, the scientists reported in the British Medical Journal: "No compelling evidence exists to suggest that any conventional or complementary intervention is effective for preventing or treating alcohol hangover.

"The most effective way to avoid the symptoms of alcohol induced hangover is thus to practice abstinence or moderation," they said in December 2005

For those for whom neither abstinence nor moderation is an option, be comforted in the knowledge that time is really the most successful treatment. Scientists reported in Alcohol Health & Research World that "hangover symptoms will usually abate over 8 to 24 hours."

For me, a fiery hot greasy breakfast.

Surfing anyone?

The 2006 year in review.

As many of you may know, I have a monthly party bash at my place, (as well as a monthly poker smoker) here are some treasured photo moments that were captured along the way.Click calender to enlarge.

Is it El - Nino, or an El - Fizzo?

Recently the National Weather Service has been keeping tabs on an El-Nino condition, that has been in developmental stages. However, they are now saying that it may be weakening.

With the recently developing storms, forming in the Gulf of Alaska and the jet stream still riding to the north,( coupled with the lack of any southern jet stream influence) that we may continue to remain in drought conditions.

I think that beginning next month, the Northern Jet Stream will dip southward and the Southern Jet will rise up and give us above normal rain fall for the season. About seventeen inches or so.

Santa Cubiques

"Let Every Day Be Christmas"

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself.

- Norman W. Brooks

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Santa, Baby.

Santa Knows Best

To more easily read the captions, click on the picture to see it full sized.

Anonymous: The cooke, definition of.

Description

Chinese foxglove root is a perennial herb found in northern China. It grows 6-8 in (15-20 cm) tall and has long oval leaves that are covered with fine hairs, fluted flowers that are reddish orange tinted with purple, and a round fruit. The root is thick and reddish yellow. Chinese foxglove root is collected in the fall. Its Latin name is Rehmannia glutinosa and it is also called Rehmannia chinensis.

General use

In China, Chinese foxglove root is used as a remedy for many different ailments: blurred vision, chronic fever, constipation, heart palpitations, hearing problems, hot flashes, insomnia, light-headedness, low back pain, menstrual irregularity and uterine bleeding (especially after childbirth), night sweats, restlessness, and stiff joints. It is also used to combat the effects of aging.

Nev. Politician: Let teachers carry guns.

This story was released last week in AP-Press. Many of you may have already read it, perhaps many of you have not. It seems that Sen. Beers has had a few to many.

A Nevada state senator and also-ran in this year's Republican primary for governor says the Legislature should consider letting teachers carry guns in classrooms to stem a rise in school violence.

"I would expect enough teachers would be interested so it would serve as a deterrent," said Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas. He said he's preparing a bill to introduce when state lawmakers convene in February.

While Beers said teachers would have to undergo firearm safety training, Las Vegas-area school officials said that allowing more weapons on campus would make schools less safe.

"The more people who have guns, the more likely it is that there will be a shootout," said Clark County school Superintendent Walt Rulffes. He told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he was aware of no studies supporting Beers' argument that schools would be safer if teachers carried guns.

School trustee Sheila Moulton said teachers might need more training to identify and deal with potentially violent students. But she rejected the idea of arming teachers.

"That is not the solution," Moulton said. "I'm not for putting guns in the classroom even when teachers are trained on how to use them."

Clark County school police carry weapons, and district high schools typically have two officers on campus during school hours. Some large middle schools also have armed police officers. The district is the fifth-largest in the nation, with more than 300,000 students at 325 campuses.

Beers cited reports of more than a dozen guns confiscated at Clark County school students so far this year, and several recent instances of gun violence on and off Las Vegas-area campuses.

"We have banned guns in schools in Nevada and most of the rest of the nation for the last 20 years," Beers said. "Part of the problem is a small percentage of the population is brought up without a knowledge of and respect for guns." Nev. politician: Let teachers carry guns

Politically correct.

The eye of?

For the sake of moving on. If you look real close , you can see the eye of?

Ask : And You Shall Receive.

The controversial cartoons of Muhammad, as they were first published in Jyllands-Posten in September 2005. Larger versions of the cartoons (some translated into English) are available off-site.

YIKES!!

Because it is December, I am reminded of the movie Christmas Story. plot summary

I know, this photo has absolutely nothing in common with that.
However, imagine you are somewhere freezing cold and snowy, and your tongue is stuck to that.

In response to a request by: Adult.

Spiderman: Real Or Photoshopped?

Helga

Due to weather, the beach and the surf were a total wreck today. So everyone was left looking for other things to do.

I was lucky and stumbled across the sand castle competition at the pier today. This is Helga,( say hello to Helga everyone) she was one of the top three finalists, with her rendition of Mt. St. Helens.

Although this photo was taken by Puttzle a couple of years ago, it is typical of San Onofre. Nowadays its much more crowded. Today the water was chocolate brown and smelled like the Tijuana sewer plant. Lifeguards warned that this will be the case for the next 9 months or so.

Sand Bar

I can tell you for sure Jules, this is the Sand Bar.

The Most Requested Photograph In The History Of The United States Government

I saw pictures of this meeting in the Oval Office in various magazines soon after it occurred. My memory, like so many of us here, isn't always perfect, but seeing this photograph brings it all back.

Elvis gave the President a gun and the President gave Elvis a badge. The badge is on display at Graceland and the gun is on display at the Nixon library. There was a book written in 1994 (actually more than one book recounts the meeting) and a movie about it in 1997.

You can also read a short article about President Nixon meeting Elvis.

*According to the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation, the photograph of President Nixon's meeting with Elvis Presley in the Oval Office is the most requested image in the history of the U.S. Government.

Spoiler:   Look closely or click the link under comments for help