Monthly Archives: June 2008

Bob Dylan in court

John Roberts Jr, a US Supreme Court judge, has made rock ‘n’ roll legal history by citing Bob Dylan.

“The absence of any right to the substantive recovery means that respondents cannot benefit from the judgment they seek and thus lack Article III standing,” Roberts wrote. “‘When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose.’ Bob Dylan, Like a Rolling Stone, on Highway 61 Revisited (Columbia Records 1965).”

Although the lyric is slightly wrong, it’s not the first time the veteran songwriter has been mentioned in court. “Subterranean Homesick Blues” has apparently been cited in 18 court decisions.

Sizzle sizzle

Apparently today’s high will be 42C, but feel like 51C. Overnight it will be 32C but feel like 40C. What have I got myself into? Tonight, while walking home at about midnight, I noticed that the front doors to various apartment blocks were covered in condensation — condensation on the outside of the glass. It’s that humid.

By the way…

… I’m somewhat concerned that somebody from the University of Missouri-Columbia found this site by Googling orange pee (not as a single term). I have no desire to duplicate the search of that strange, strange individual, but I guess I should be grateful you spend six minutes on the site.

Desert haze

The last week or so has been uncharacteristically mild. Well, when I say mild, I mean it’s only been in the low to mid-30s celsius as opposed to well above 40C. In fact it’s been quite pleasant. However, it was all down to the shamal, a cold wind that whips through the region now and again, stirring up sand particles and bringing fog to this desert city on the Gulf coast. You don’t believe me? Take a look at these photos of the city as seen from the causeway leading to Marina Mall:

Then compare it with this, taken a few months ago close to the same spot:

Alas, the respite is over and the long, hot summer is almost upon us. I imagine few of us are truly prepared for what awaits over the next two months.

MyTube had its butt kicked

I was wandering around YouTube the other night and clicked on the link to view my channel. I’m delighted to inform you of the message that greeted me: We apologize the site you are attempting to visit has been blocked due to its content being inconsistent with the religious, cultural, political and moral values of the United Arab Emirates.

Although I can still just look at my user profile and access all my favourites. I wonder what set off the censor?