June 2004 Newsletter
Editorial
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like to submit please e-mail them to us at: platinumclubhouse@eircom.net
Hi everybody
The weather is picking up and we
are in the middle of a mini heat wave.
Let’s enjoy it while we have it.
We are now entering the summer and we have organised
a number of socials which will allow us to enjoy the good weather
we can hope for.
Looking forward to seeing you all soon, and keep
in touch…
Platinum Clubhouse
Any articles, items or pictures in this newsletter
may only be reproduced following permission from Platinum Club house
Peter’s tip:
To give your room a nice smell without using an
oil burner, just dab a small amount of the oil on to an electric
light bulb. Your room will smell pleasantly for an enjoyable evening.
Lydia’s Article
It’s all go, good weather and time for recovery
in all things. Carmel was “21” again and we are going to celebrate
the “event that didn’t happen”, with renewed energy.
Spring is still in our step as the bluebells
are still at their best. The sign for a gardener of an early spring
is of course when he or she sits on the first cactus…“When it’s
spring I’ll bring again… tulips from Amsterdam.”
I’m just back from Italy, so I still have in
mind, not tulips, but oranges and lemons, & the beautiful perfume
that is there all year round, because they flower on a year round
basis.
I was in the Sorrento/Capri region, and it too
was spring there, so- just right for me; not too warm, and with
the energy that is unique to early summer. We bear witness to
it’s optimisms that are evident at this time of year in most countries
that are blessed with this contrast.
Happy spring!
Lydia
-Each Soul-
Our soul is within our living of life,
That we cannot grasp or see.
I know our life is part of strife,
But our soul will depart.
To a heaven sincere and true,
While now feeling is within each heart.
In which we all forever grew,
Our bodies will detonate at death.
But our souls they carry on,
Our lives are destined from our birth.
That heavenly light shines upon,
Each death never brings any sorrow.
But to a world wholesome and new,
So we pray for a new tomorrow.
With our gods wisdom shining through.
Patrick M
Jokes by Patricia
Q What’s worse than raining cats and dogs?
A: Hailing taxis.
Q Where do snookers players go for a drink?
A: Potters Bar.
Q Why is life like a shower?
A: One wrong turn and you are in hot water.
Q What travels faster heat or cold?
A: Heat-You can catch cold.
Q What’s greasy and makes you feel bad?
A: A chip on the shoulder.
Q When is water not hot water?
A: When its dripping.
Diogenes was looking for an honest man in the
Dail. “Any luck?” asked a journalist. “Not too bad,” answered
Diogenes. “I still have my lantern”.
Mum: Do you get a choice for your school dinners?
Tom: Yes, take it or leave it.
TD who was being interrupted at election meeting?:
‘We seem to have a lot of fools here today. Wouldn’t it be better
to hear one at a time?’
Voice from crowd:
O. K. Get on with your speech!’
Q How do you confuse a T.D.?
A: Give him a piece of paper with P.T.O. written on both sides.
A T.D. excused himself for not having a Bible
in his house because he said that there wasn’t a word in the
Bible that wasn’t in his dictionary.
Q What’s the cheapest way to Australia?
A: Be born there.
Q What animal has two humps and is found in
the South Pole?
A: A camel with no sense of direction.
Work Ordered Life
(the blessings of productivity and creativity)
I wish I was a spider!
Busy with my web
Feeling so constructive
In every step I weave
Like the fisherman at evening
Sorting out my catch
That feeling of accomplishment
That’s simply hard to match!
I could make my day much better
If my own job’s better done
So it is in Clubhouse
A bit of work is fun
At the least it can be better
When with a friendly face
The sugar in the medicine
Each thing has it’s place
Platinum clubhouse Newbridge
Has it’s work ordered day
Just like my spider really
A little work does Pay!!!!!!!!!!!
Lydia
Sports News
The quest for Sam Maguire begins in earnest this
weekend with first round games down for decision in the Leinster
Championship. 32 Teams compete but only a handful have a realistic
chance of getting their hands on the Trophy. Last years event was
not a vintage one by any stretch of the imagination. With the exception
of the Laois/Kildare Leinster final clash, the rest of the games
left a lot to be desired.
The main reason for this was that too many Northern
teams came through the qualifiers and what was inflicted on us,
lovers of the beautiful game, was a crude abomination of Gaelic
football. Nobody gives a toss who wins the Ulster Championship this
Year and I won’t be watching it, for I have a fragile stomach. The
shorter their stay in the event the better, for all our sakes. Getting
back to who should be leading contenders, I give you three, Laois,
Kerry and Galway. The 3 most talented teams in the country, all
3 play the game as it should be played and let’s hope that whoever
wins, the game of football shall not be the loser.
Pierce
Day Trip To
The Irish National Stud.
On Saturday last, Platinum Clubhouse went on a social
to the Irish National Stud, in Kildare Town. First of all, a tour
Guide took us on a tour of the National Stud. Here we were shown
the horses, Mares and Stallions. There are eight stallions at present
standing in the stud. The highest prized stallion in the stud at
present is Indian Ridge. His value could go up next month, if his
son Snow Ridge wins the Epsom Derby. We were also shown some foals
that were born during the night. Foals are approx 110 pounds weight
when born but still look small compared to the mares. 9 days after
giving birth a mare can go back into foal again. We also saw two
famous racehorses of old, Danoli and Vintage Crop who are retired
in the stud.
Spare a thought for the poor Teaser—Tommy, who
has the most frustrating job in the stud.
After a lovely Lunch, we went on a tour of the
Japanese Gardens, which is full of beautiful trees and flowers.
We did not have a tour guide here, nor did we need him, as Tom was
a great help pointing out the various tree and flower names to us.
Also in the gardens can be seen various wildlife, Ducks, Swans,
Guinea Fowl etc. The story of the Japanese Gardens is it follows
a person’s life from birth to death and all the various twist and
turns, the cards of life can deal us. The Gardens themselves were
built by Colonel Hall Walker. In conclusion, may I thank one and
all for a lovely day out.
Philip
"What
is Artificial Intelligence/"
In the first edition of her book “Artificial
Intelligence and Natural Man”, Professor Margaret Boden of the University
of Sussex describes artificial intelligence as “getting computers
to do the kinds of things that would require intelligence if done
by a human”. She revised this in the second edition to define artificial
intelligence as “getting computers to do the things that the human
mind can do”.
Such tasks include speech recognition,
vision, problem-solving, decision-making, planning, and so on. The
concept of symbol-manipulation is the cornerstone of artificial
intelligence.
Artificial intelligence is part of
cognitive science, which in turn uses the computer as a metaphor
of mind. Cognitive science is an interdisciplinary subject, covering
areas such as the philosophy of mind, psychology, logic, linguistics,
and computer science (as well as artificial intelligence).
AI is divided into weak AI and strong
AI. Researchers argue that the computer programmes devised by programmers
are only simulations of mind in the case of weak AI, or really are
intelligent in the case of strong AI.
A further distinction can be made in
those who favour “High Church Computationalism” and the “New Connectionism”.
Connectionism is concerned with artificial neural nets, which have
brain-like properties. High Church Computationalism refers simply
to the older, classical programming techniques.
Finally, Daniel C. Dennett, an American
philosopher, believes that the mind is a supercomputer, and the
brain an organic supercomputer. Whether or not this is true remains
to be seen.
Paul
Announcements
A late cancellation
Our official opening was cancelled
at the 10th hour so we were a bit deflated after all the planning.
Carmel had worked particularly hard to meet budget constraints-
shopping around for good quotations, hoping for more funds and
generally making a heroic (heroinic!!) effort at getting it all
together. Apparently the officiating parties had at the last minute
revised the procedure. Well done all, but again -Carmel rallied
and decided in order to restore confidence and not let the occasion
pass, suggested we celebrate on the proposed ‘day that was to
be’ the possibility still for a bright future for all – (after
all it is still May and summer is still on ‘the up and up’). We
will all go to Athgarvan Inn and I have been told I can bring
the harmonica (I haven’t been told if I will be allowed to actually
play it or not !—of course!!) I suppose my efforts at making all
those gilded cards for the official launch will have to be consigned
as archive material – the occasion that didn’t yet reach its goal?
Lydia
Social Policy
Policy meeting held on Wednesday
May 12 2004
Present: Tom, Breda, Peter, Stephen D,
Stephen C, Darren, Patrick, Clive, Carmel, Lydia, Pierce, Siobhan
& Peter
When members commit to a social
by putting their name on the notice, if they have not removed
their name by the cut-off point, they must pay for that social
whether they attended or not. Exceptional circumstances will
be considered individually. Members who do not pay will not
be permitted to attend the next social until they pay the outstanding
amount.
It was pointed out that a number of members
have placed their names on various lists to go on social outings.
The group size is then accommodated based on the list. Sometimes
meals are booked. Then members just don’t turn up. It is unfair
and can lead to extra expense on the Club. This policy was
agreed by all present.
Birthday Wishes to:Elizabeth,
Martina, Mary, James B., Kieran, Roisin, Linda, Darren, Desmond,
Lydia, Siobhan.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions
and beliefs expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the
views of Platinum Clubhouse. Any articles, items or pictures in
this newsletter may only be reproduced following permission from
Platinum Clubhouse.
Contributors:Pierce, Philip,
Lydia, Paul, Patricia, Patrick M,
Editorial Team: Tom, Philip
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