Here’s another for the “Only In America” file. The BBC is reporting that “increasing numbers of Americans are becoming too fat to fit into X-ray machines”. US researchers have reported that the nation’s rising obesity problems mean many citizens are not only too large for scanners but they have too much fat for the rays to penetrate. Over the past 15 years, the number of failed scans linked to patient obesity has doubled, Radiology journal reports. The problem is not confined to scanners. Hospitals have had to make their beds stronger for obese patients. Airlines are also designing aircraft to carry heavier loads because passengers are becoming plumper.

Dr Raul Uppot and colleagues, who work in radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, had noticed that they were seeing more and more patients whose weight prevented them from having medical scans. His team decided to look back at radiology reports between 1989 and 2003 to see the extent of the problem. Year on year they saw an increase in the number of scans that had to be abandoned because the patient was too fat. Ultrasound images were affected the most because the sound waves need to penetrate the skin and fatty tissue before reaching the organs being examined. The study authors warned that important diagnoses could be missed if people could not be scanned. According to the US government, 64% of the population are overweight.

I’ll spare you all the cheap shots and puns that could easily have been made. It is just one more good reason to stay active, have a healthy diet and look after yourself.

Read the BBC article here.

Last week I went to a charity fundraiser for the Friends of Baucau. Friends of who? Baucau is the second largest city in East Timor, home to the country’s largest airport as well as its shipping port. A great deal of Baucau’s infrastructure was destroyed during the country’s independence vote in 1999. A friend of mine was working for the organisation and the film night fundraiser was her pet project, hence my presence there.

So what did we see? Ten Canoes, the first feature length film that is spoke entirely (excusing the narrative role) in indigenous Aboriginal language. I wasn’t sure about going to see this film but my money was going to a good cause, so I felt I would be able to keep an open mind. It’s amazing what you’ll discover when you open your mind to explore other ideas.

Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Mr. Woods were all in front of God at the pearly gates of heaven.

God turns to Nicklaus…”Jack, why do you believe you deserve a seat on my right?” Jack replies “I believe my 18 majors speak for themselves, I’ve won more than anyone who has played the game and I’ve given my life to golf.” “OK Jack, that sounds like a fair point” says God. Jack takes up the seat to God’s right.

God turns to Palmer…”Arnie, why do you believe you deserve a seat on my left?” Arnie replies ” Well, I believe I’ve won my fair share of majors as well, I’ve had many a battle with Jack throughout the years and I think we’ve given golf fans over the world an immense amount of entertainment.” “OK Arnie, that seems fair, take a seat to my left.”

Finally, God turns to Mr Woods…”Tiger, why do you believe you should be up here with me?” Tiger looks at God and replies “I believe you’re in my seat”

I think this joke rings more true everyday! At his average of 2 majors a year, Tiger will reach Jack’s record by the end of 2009 - 34 years old, 11 years ahead of Jack…Enough said! Anyone still doubting that T.Woods is the greatest golfer ever to have played this game so far, is either delirious or the type of golfer that still believes The Shark deserves an invitation to the Masters!

Congratulations Tiger for getting the job done in light of all the emotional baggage!