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Goa's phone numbers change from Nov 10, 2002. Prefix old number with a 2. New numbers
will be seven-digit 2XXXXXX (where XXXXXX is the old number).
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Many a Goan will immediately recollect the word Wrigleys. We used to bite
on a piece of gum till our jaws ached. We also maintained an equilibrium by
moving the piece of gum in our mouth. It was once said that President Ford
could not walk straight if he was chewing gum. Probably he had never met me
for I would have taught him not only to balance the gum but to blow bubbles
and to sing the song "I am forever blowing bubbles'. I avoided him assuming
that his other name was bubonic. One never goes near a rat when there is a
plague. They are the mosquitoes of society then at the hour of our 'death'.
Amen. :-)
I have noticed the church benches in unsteady equilibrium. On checking
inquisitively, I noticed blobs of gum stuck under the panel. Now I know why
they do not have benches in mosques.:-)
Ten years ago, with the desire to change the mores of Singaporeans and
to beautify this island state, Lee Kwan Yew and his followers, passed laws on
toilet etiquette and the chewing of the cud (chewing gum). Ladies found them
irritating when they walked with the sticky stuff interfering with their sexy
walk. Men too. Then there were young lads who used gum to block doors on the
subway and also to plug the keyholes that obstructed with entry to ones own
domicile or place of business. Even prostitutes used the gum to stop peeping
toms from messing with their busy bodies. :-) I have never experienced this
but have read about it.
But the US government, probably from the Chewing Gum lobby, went down
on Singapore even though they need the help of Singapore to berth their
warships after the loss of Clark and Subic bases in the Phillipines. Cuba is
no exception. The US uses the big stick of commerce.
Now Singapore is expected to scrap this law so that those born after
the law was passed can taste WRIGLEYS CHEWING GUM. Incidentally this gum is
collected from the Chikoo (Sapadila) plant and Mexico is the biggest producer
of this gum or latex. Goa could export the annoying latex from the jackfruit
(ponos).
I have written all this from my own knowledge and has not been taken
from any News Agency or other source. As I am leaving for my Winter Residence
(like the Pope who goes to Castel Gandolfo if the weather is stuffy), I will
be away from the net. This is no act of cowardice as I a a provocateur and
able to defend myself. Those who I have taunted, provoked or scrapped with
hate me. Who cares for I only look for respect and will force some stubborn
characters to accede to my demands.
If I wrote stuff that appealed to Bin Laden or a Mullah or a mediocre
journalist, they will certainly like me. But the big question is if they will
respect me.
Edgar Martins
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What's On In Goa (WOIG):
Nov 06 Children's book exhibn opens, Walkabout, Anjuna... (all weekdays)
Nov 06 ArtHouse, Calangute: Chaitali's acrylics on canvas till 19.11
Nov 07 Revision of electoral rolls (till Nov 30) See schedule.
Dec 01 Two day conference, Goa Agenda. IT For Society. (Ends 2.12)
Every Sunday: Music therapy sessions at Moira, 5 pm. 278, N.Portugal
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