Tales of the expected ...

[letric]

You have managed to avoid hearing about the unexpected twist in that new film, or who the killer was
in that cult thriller, and then someone comes along and blurts it out. There is nothing more annoying.
Yet, knowing the ending can make reading a book or watching a film more enjoyable. Why else do we
return to a favourite book or film again and again, even though we know exactly how it ends? Once you
know how it turn out, it is cognitively easier, you are more comfortable processing the information, and
can focus on a deeper understanding of the story. Yes?

[letric]

We are working harder and living longer than previous generations so there is more reasons than ever to save
money and make sure that we are living better. The advent of the Internet is giving us, the consumer, more
and more opportunities to compare prices and get together to pool resources. So look after the pennies.

[letric]

Water and energy are the most precious resources in the world and wasting them affects our pockets,
not just our environment. Where does our water come from? How much are we using and for what?
What sources of energy do we now use and how long will they last? The energy we use can be roughly
divided into three basic uses: one third by industry, one third by transport and one third in the home.
There is a lot we can do as individuals to reduce energy use for transport, by shopping carefully and
by using our consumer elbow to encourage businesses to be greener. Making a real contribution to
reduce climate change and save ourselves money at the same time.

[letric]

Water and energy are the most precious resources in the world and wasting them affects our pockets,not just our environment. Where does our water come from? How much are we using and for what? What sources of energy do we now use and how long will they last? The energy we use can be roughly divided into three basic uses: one third by industry, one third by transport and one third in the home.There is a lot we can do as individuals to reduce energy use for transport, by shopping carefully and by using our consumer elbow to encourage businesses to be greener. Making a real contribution toreduce climate change and save ourselves money at the same time.

[letric]

Shopping has become an ethical minefield. Which is best, organic or local?
How do we support the specialist, get online, hunt out eco-products, start
downloading to watch films and listen to music, find second-hand bargains
on ebay, cut down the third of our food which ends up in the bin, eat less
processed food, don't go disposable and avoid packaging?

[letric]

The Italian criminal gangs collectively known as the Mafia evolved from groups of bandits which roamed the island of Sicily. There was little if any communication between gangs. In the early-mid 19th century however, things changed. The gangs discovered a common purpose and began to unite against their hated Bourbon rulers, and it was around then that they were first referred the Mafia. By 1860 their traditional banditry had given way to recognisable gangster culture, which permeated all Sicilian society, taking on the roles of tax collection and law enforcement and controlling the island's financial system. Anybody who opposed them was dealt with in a swift, bloody fashion and soon gang members became immune from persecution and put up and elected their own politicians. Soon most of Italy was under Mafia control, and in the early 20th century thousand of Mafiosi entered the USA. With incredible speed the tentacles of the Mafia entwined themselves around every aspect of American life, and through its central role in drug trafficking soon spread it web worldwide....