WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2007

TOILET FACTS
When I came across this list of statistics I knew they were destined for The Nightshift - that’s the kind of programme it is! It’s the awesome scale of them that got me. On average, we all go to the toilet 2,500 times a year! Two thousand five hundred. Channel 4 made a documentary last year which showed how much effluent that represents. It’s a lot. And the fact that only 30% of the world’s population uses toilet paper prompts the obvious question - what does the rest of the world use?
All of which reminds me.....on one of next week’s programmes I’m hoping to run an item about a factor of global warming which I think we’re not taking seriously enough: methane. In the cracking new series The Power of the Planet last night, we were shown what would happen if the Siberian permafrost should melt. It’s made of half-decayed vegetable matter which would immediately start fermenting and give off countless tons of methane - a gas far more poisonous to the Earth in general - and to us in particular - than either ozone or carbon dioxide. And that’s without taking into account the damage already being done by belching, flatulating, defecating cattle and other livestock. I tell you - I’m worried!

THE HAPPINESS WORKOUT
I suspect that I’m guilty of not taking these happiness tips seriously enough. They were well-researched, though, and deserve a repeat run here. After all, we’re not all as contented with our lot as we sometimes like to think.....
....make a note of three things that went well today, and why;
....identify your strengths and every week aim to use them in new, creative ways;
....imagine - and write about - your best possible self in 10 years’ time;
....write someone athankyou letter;
....commit 5 acts if kindness a week;
You can’t really go wrong with that lot, can you?

WHAT’S IN A NAME
Hill-island is, of course, Durham. Kev has made an interesting comment on this - and the legend of St Cuthbert - on this blog.
So.....where is the ‘murder-path’?

TRUCKSHUNTER GEMS
The ‘special’ tracks of music you heard last nght were, firstly, Words of Love, which Buddy Holly recorded in 1957 and The Beatles covered - beautifully - in 1964 on Beatles For Sale and secondly, (I’m No) Superman, the inspired choice of theme-tune for Scrubs. It was recorded in 2002 by Laszlo Bane.

CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN

NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.