Fishy Place

Some people have been critical of The Hotel Charleroi Airport near Brussels because they offer goldfish to rent for the lonely traveler but I think it is excellent idea. Goldfish really aren't that much company as far as pets go but fish are very relaxing to watch and what traveler can't use something relaxing on their agenda? Several years ago the manager and his brother came up with the idea of having fish at the check-in counter to keep people amused when the line was long and somewhere along the way someone joked that the fish could be rented to keep in the rooms with the guests and the rest as they say is history. The fish rent for $4.17 per night and are well cared for in a large tank in  the housekeeping department during their off time.
 

To Sum Up

Considering the current political climate I thought a few quotes on democracy would be appropriate.

The main problem in any democracy is that crowd pleasers are generally brainless swine who can go out on a stage and whup their supporters into an orgiastic frenzy-then go back to the office and sell every one of the poor bastards down the tube for a nickel apiece.  Hunter S. Thompson

Never underestimate to power of very stupid people in large groups. John Kenneth Galbraith

You can fool too many of the people too much of the time. James Thurber

That pretty much sums up the situation with the Liar in Chief and his supporters.

Night Watch

In Thailand stray dogs and cats are a problem and often the objects of abuse but within the last couple of years things have been happening in their favor. In 2014 an Animal Welfare Law was enacted with a maximum of two years in prison and $1,205 fine for cruelty,plus an advertising agency in concert with Soi Dog Foundation have developed a smart vest equipped with a video camera that begins live streaming when activated by the dogs barking so instead of people trying to chase the strays off or otherwise mistreating them the dogs become neighborhood guardians. The article was not clear about if the dogs go through a special training or if they were otherwise fed and cared for after performing their nightly duties,but I'm thinking both things are likely.

I left this  one larger hoping to show the fire this dog was barking at.

Firsts

Until the beginning of this long holiday weekend I had been unaware that Oregon was the first state to pass legislation making Labor Day a holiday in 1887. The first Labor Day celebration was an organized parade which took place in New York City on September 5,1882 overseen by what later became the AFL-CIO,but no formal legislation was signed at that time or place. In the seven years after Oregon officially named Labor Day a holiday 30 other states followed suit and in 1894 congress approved Labor Day as a national holiday. So if you are enjoying a three day weekend you can thank the forward thinking Oregonians!

Blessing or Bane

I usually try vary the subjects of my daily posts both to keep myself engaged and to not bore people with the same genre but as it happens I stumbled on today's offering in the course of my online surfing and it is too warm outside to think of something else.
Researchers in China have discovered a method of growing stem cells from urine which solves the ethical problems of using stem cells from human embryos. Stem cells have proven useful in treating degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and for testing new drugs used on neurodegenerative diseases.  This also solves the immune rejection response but some of the cells harbor genetic defects that render them useless,still this seems like a huge step in the right direction.

Natural Cures?

Personally I don't find anything natural about allowing leeches to suck my blood but apparently there are plenty of people who feel differently. Russia is the world's leading supplier of leeches and grow from 4-7 million a year...is it just me or does that seem like an unseemly amount of leeches? Leeches are FDA approved in the US as are maggots and more and more plastic surgeons are incorporating leeches into their treatments. They are also used for treating high blood pressure. The leeches used for medical treatments are usually 1-2 inches long and sell for $1.50. No thanks,they are too snake like for me to deal with.

Kindness is Key

I didn't find anything to support September being Kindness Month,but since it's my blog I took it upon myself in an effort to promote kindness to use it as a title for today's post.

9/1 National Lazy Mom's Day
9/2 Bacon Day
9/3 Skyscraper Day
9/4 National Wildlife Day
9/5 International Day of Charity
9/6 Fight Procrastination Day (maybe tomorrow)
9/7 Salami Day
9/8 International Literacy Day
9/9 Wonderful Weirdos Day
9/10 Sway Ideas Day
9/11 Remember Freedom Day
9/12 National Police Woman's Day
9/13 International Chocolate Day
9/14 National Kreme Filled Donut Day
9/15 International Day of Democracy
9/16 Locate an Old Friend Day
9/17 Time's Up Day
9/18 National Respect Day
9/19 Talk Like a Pirate Day!
9/20 National Rehabilitation Day
9/21 International Day of Peace
9/22 Ice Cream Cone Day
9/23 International Rabbit Day
9/24 Bluebird of Happiness Day
9/25 National One-Hit Wonder Day
9/26 Johnny Appleseed Day
9/27 National Woman Road Warrior Day
9/28 National Drink Beer Day
9/29 Save the Koala Day
9/30 National Ghost Hunting Day

Enjoy your month!