Psychologists at Washington University, in Missouri, USA, say they've proven that we lose our sense of humour as we age.  When they asked different age groups to choose the right punchline to a series of jokes, younger people fared better than pensioners.

Take a Break, 13th September 2007, Issue 37

Happy Fathering Sunday to all the dads in the world.  I had a good one with my papa.  We went to Exmouth for a few hours, had a mooch about.  Ate the most fantastic sausage sandwiches.

I saw some interesting things.  '15m to End' (picture, left)?  Is that 15 minutes to the end of the world? 

And what sort of person scrawls graffiti on shelters?  Hm?  And they write "No Chavs".  Er.  Isn't graffiting sort of a chavvy thing to do no?

Unfortunately the day had to be cut short because I had to hop on a plane back to Belfast.  Boo!  I had the fabulous exec lounge all to myself for most of the time.  Although I wasn't hungry so didn't stuff my face with all the marvellous freebies.  I bunged on the telly and had free choice over what to watch.  Normally the stuffy business folk stick on news channels or the dull parliament channel.  I chose something possibly equally as dull which was a David Attenborough program on plants living in extreme environment.  Yes I know, you'll probably yawn.  But did you know there is this plant with hair things on that secrete sticky liquid.  Insects get stuck and the leaf curls up over the insect until its dead as they come.  How bizarre.  So, really, I was watching lots of death on telly.  What a cheerful thought. 

The flight over today was more eventful that normal.  A lady on the flight had a serious asthma attack and it was all panic stations.  The crew asked if there were any medics on board.  The poor woman was making all sorts of scary noises, I thought we were going to have to have an emergency landing.  Serious stuff.  Luckily a good heap of oxygen helped and she was fine by landing.

We need a hug a day to cope with stress, according to scientists at Manchester Metropolitan University.  But their research found most of us are starved of daily physical contact.  Three out of four people say they wished they had more cuddles.

Take A Break, Issue 3 - 17th January 2008