Sunday, July 31, 2005
A week ago I began a two week experiment to see what it would be like not to read see or hear news. Could I capture some of that holiday happiness you feel when you're out of touch in far off places? 7 days in and I definitely feel different. More relaxed, more focused, less general background anxiety. I've been surprised at how domestic I've become. The cooker has never been so clean and I've recycled everything recyclable within sight. Is this displacement? I've realised how very difficult it is not to pick up news during the course of daily living. Newspapers on display in shops and petrol stations, often right next to the till. Background radio in public places. Annoying TV screens on trains and stations. Web tickers and headline summaries on all sorts of pages where you wouldn't expect to see news. Not to mention all the oblique references on blogs. As a result, I've a fair idea of the major news events of the last week. I'm not terribly bothered though at the moment. Just writing that somehow feels wrong - but it's true nonentheless. All this newsification of the environment is testimony to our obsession with remaining in touch with 'whats going on'. Why? For most people what is going on in other parts of the world or even the other end of the country only has marginal bearing on their lives. I'd be interested to know more about the social functions of news. So, there are seven more days of news avoidance ahead. I've already learnt that having a less obsessive attitude to news makes for a more centred daily life. I'll have to start on the bathroom next.
Thanks to all who've been quiztastic. I've posted the answers in full.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:00 PM
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Did I ever tell you about the time I saw Nureyev dance?
I decided to invite a friend I worked with to accompany me to the ballet - as you do. I knew nothing much about ballet. It's not really my thang but I admire the athleticism and singular dedication that it takes to become a dancer. I was going through a cultural phase - which has never really ended - but at that time was quite recently begun. I looked up Time Out for something vaguely exotic and saw that there was a ballet at the Festival Hall choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev. Concluding that, with such provenance, it must be a safe bet I issued my invitation in a casual manner and was accepted. We both got suitably glammed up. I wore a dynastyesque number with shoulderpads which have since been listed by English Heritage. My companion wore a stunning red polka dot ensemble. This, together with her amazonian frame and stunning blond hair, ensured the heads turned as we passed. We were a vision of upward mobility as we sipped our Pimms on the river terrace before the performance. Things got off to a shaky start as the curtain went up - or tried to go up. It was all a bit Acorn Antiques as the overture ended, the curtains twitched but refused to open. Eventually an embarrassed stage manager came out to explain that the 'tabs had fouled' and they were working on the problem. After a bit of manual tugging they finally got the show on the road. Ten minutes in, the audience erupted in applause as Nureyev took to the stage in a surprise appearance. The atmosphere was electric as everyone present realised what a special moment this was. He looked relaxed and was clearly enjoying himself. To my untrained eye he was quite casual in his movements but had great presence and connected with the audience who were entranced by what was happening. There were moments of humour as Nureyev played with the other dancers and applauded them from the side of the stage when they completed impressive solo pieces before launching back into his own performance with gusto. My companion was, by now, thrilled to bits. She confided later that seeing Nureyev dance was one of her life's ambitions and, as he'd virtually retired by the time we saw him, she'd resigned herself to never realising her dream. It was a magical evening in so many ways and one I'll never forget. Nureyev died not long after. We had been privileged to see one of his last ever performances. I've not heard from my friend for many years - despite both of us vowing to always keep in touch. I wonder what she's doing now?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:59 PM
DeniseI decided to invite a friend I worked with to accompany me to the ballet - as you do. I knew nothing much about ballet. It's not really my thang but I admire the athleticism and singular dedication that it takes to become a dancer. I was going through a cultural phase - which has never really ended - but at that time was quite recently begun. I looked up Time Out for something vaguely exotic and saw that there was a ballet at the Festival Hall choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev. Concluding that, with such provenance, it must be a safe bet I issued my invitation in a casual manner and was accepted. We both got suitably glammed up. I wore a dynastyesque number with shoulderpads which have since been listed by English Heritage. My companion wore a stunning red polka dot ensemble. This, together with her amazonian frame and stunning blond hair, ensured the heads turned as we passed. We were a vision of upward mobility as we sipped our Pimms on the river terrace before the performance. Things got off to a shaky start as the curtain went up - or tried to go up. It was all a bit Acorn Antiques as the overture ended, the curtains twitched but refused to open. Eventually an embarrassed stage manager came out to explain that the 'tabs had fouled' and they were working on the problem. After a bit of manual tugging they finally got the show on the road. Ten minutes in, the audience erupted in applause as Nureyev took to the stage in a surprise appearance. The atmosphere was electric as everyone present realised what a special moment this was. He looked relaxed and was clearly enjoying himself. To my untrained eye he was quite casual in his movements but had great presence and connected with the audience who were entranced by what was happening. There were moments of humour as Nureyev played with the other dancers and applauded them from the side of the stage when they completed impressive solo pieces before launching back into his own performance with gusto. My companion was, by now, thrilled to bits. She confided later that seeing Nureyev dance was one of her life's ambitions and, as he'd virtually retired by the time we saw him, she'd resigned herself to never realising her dream. It was a magical evening in so many ways and one I'll never forget. Nureyev died not long after. We had been privileged to see one of his last ever performances. I've not heard from my friend for many years - despite both of us vowing to always keep in touch. I wonder what she's doing now?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:59 PM
Friday, July 29, 2005
Did I ever tell you about the first time I believed I had a talent?
It was when I was nine and I painted a picture at school and my teacher put it on display. Every time a new visitor came into the room she would point it out to them and mention that I had done it. I would purr inwardly but also be unbelieving that what I had done was worthy of such praise - nonetheless I loved the attention. From then on I realised that I could do things that would make other people admire me. I loved being in that teacher's class. I felt we had a special bond. Other classmates loved her too. She was a very good teacher - she made everyone feel that they were special and valuable. That's one of the best lessons you can teach any child and it is transforming. I met up with my old teacher about fifteen years ago - she remembered me but we didn't talk much as there were quite a lot of people there. I wish I'd been able to say to her what I've written above but, at the time, I'd not yet realised how important she'd been in my life. I know, through the grapevine that she is still alive but that's all I know. I wonder what she's doing now?
5 questions left - can you crack em today?
Gwan gwan gwan
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 6:01 PM
QueenieIt was when I was nine and I painted a picture at school and my teacher put it on display. Every time a new visitor came into the room she would point it out to them and mention that I had done it. I would purr inwardly but also be unbelieving that what I had done was worthy of such praise - nonetheless I loved the attention. From then on I realised that I could do things that would make other people admire me. I loved being in that teacher's class. I felt we had a special bond. Other classmates loved her too. She was a very good teacher - she made everyone feel that they were special and valuable. That's one of the best lessons you can teach any child and it is transforming. I met up with my old teacher about fifteen years ago - she remembered me but we didn't talk much as there were quite a lot of people there. I wish I'd been able to say to her what I've written above but, at the time, I'd not yet realised how important she'd been in my life. I know, through the grapevine that she is still alive but that's all I know. I wonder what she's doing now?
5 questions left - can you crack em today?
Gwan gwan gwan
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 6:01 PM
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Did I ever tell you about the time I went pony trekking in the Brecon Beacons? My transport for the week was called 'Queenie'. Queenie had attitude. A bad one. Didn't like being groomed and needed correctional treatment from the resident cromagnon trekmeisters. Didn't like being saddled and took 3 times longer than any other horse to get ready of a mornin. Didn't like lolloping alongside all the other nice ponies but preferred to rush to the front or hang around delinquently at the back or not go anywhere and eat grass whilst everyone else lolloped off into the mist. Her speciality, though like all royalty, was to take the higher path. Whilst all the other nice ponies trekked obediently along the designated trek trak, Queenie with her attitude also needed altitude. She would, at a moments notice, turn and launch herself up the mountain at 90° to the trak with me clinging on for dear life. There would then follow behind us shouting at Queenie, Captain Trek who, on more than one occasion, had to cut her off in a pincer movement with his trusty assistant, Bronwyn, before I was lost forever in the mountains, doomed to trek endlessly atop my psychotic steed. One day Queenie's bit fell from between her teeth as she was breaking into a canter whilst making for the front as usual. I realised something was wrong when the apple I was carrying in my cagoule pocket flew out and hit my mate on the head as we went past. Queenie was now galloping, with me on the back trying to garrotte her to a standstill using the bit which was now round her neck. It was all too much. The poor thing needed treatment, not some half witted urban nit cramping her style, not to mention her windpipe. We parted company soon after - I shed a tear as the minibus took us away from Queenie's kingdom. I wonder what she's doing now?
Welcome to Big n juicy
Hi there. Thanks for stopping by [again?].
My secret squirrel system tells me that many people like yourself stop by here.
Sometimes you come looking for Juicy things [ 7 today ].
or big things [ 7 today ].
Makosi is popular [ 5 of you so far looking for her ].
Well there are Juicy, Big and Makosi things here - feel free to wander about.
There's also a little quiz I'm trying to get finished - only 6 questions remaining.
Could I ask you to consider lingering a moment and having a go?
It's fun and it'll distract you from whatever tedium you may have to go back to shortly.
Honestly, I'll do a deal - once the six questions are done [ only 1 each mind you! ] I'll post a Big Juicy Makosi just for you. Can't say fairer than that can we? Cmon now clicky clicky..
The English summer has begun
Mmmmmmnicenot.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 1:00 PM
Nun too soonWelcome to Big n juicy
Hi there. Thanks for stopping by [again?].
My secret squirrel system tells me that many people like yourself stop by here.
Sometimes you come looking for Juicy things [ 7 today ].
or big things [ 7 today ].
Makosi is popular [ 5 of you so far looking for her ].
Well there are Juicy, Big and Makosi things here - feel free to wander about.
There's also a little quiz I'm trying to get finished - only 6 questions remaining.
Could I ask you to consider lingering a moment and having a go?
It's fun and it'll distract you from whatever tedium you may have to go back to shortly.
Honestly, I'll do a deal - once the six questions are done [ only 1 each mind you! ] I'll post a Big Juicy Makosi just for you. Can't say fairer than that can we? Cmon now clicky clicky..
The English summer has begun
Mmmmmmnicenot.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 1:00 PM
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Did I ever tell you about the time a stripping nunogram confronted me as I was leaving an exam hall? She was dressed in thigh high boots, a black basque and fishnet stockings. I was dressed in sweatshirt and jeans and was barely registering the spectacle I was part of having just disgorged the contents of my mind for the previous 3 hours. Large numbers of people gathered to watch and cheered as Sister Crutchless recited a personalised poem before landing a big smackerooni on yours truly. I wonder what she's doing now?
I found out that there's a bit of orbital stuff going on + someone's been arrested for bombing. That is all I know presently. I'm getting to like this.
Do dat quiz
Firef****d
As a dedicated Firefox user I was tempted and downloaded the Google toolbar for Firefox. Shuddenly I'm not half the man I used to be. My pop ups are severely stunted, taking upwards of 60 seconds to open. My current quiz - [ unashamed plug > 6 questions remaining cmon cmon u lurkers ] - proved worthy of a comatose lifetime achievement award with a popup within a popup. So I've uninstalled the bleedin toolbar and all is now well. NOT recommended. It's a beta version - [ ie crap ].
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:15 PM
I was a teenage groupieI found out that there's a bit of orbital stuff going on + someone's been arrested for bombing. That is all I know presently. I'm getting to like this.
Do dat quiz
Firef****d
As a dedicated Firefox user I was tempted and downloaded the Google toolbar for Firefox. Shuddenly I'm not half the man I used to be. My pop ups are severely stunted, taking upwards of 60 seconds to open. My current quiz - [ unashamed plug > 6 questions remaining cmon cmon u lurkers ] - proved worthy of a comatose lifetime achievement award with a popup within a popup. So I've uninstalled the bleedin toolbar and all is now well. NOT recommended. It's a beta version - [ ie crap ].
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:15 PM
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Did I ever tell you about the time when my, then, best mate and I pursued our teacher through the local shopping centre like demented groupies? We saw her coming from a distance. She saw us and began to retreat [ there was a bit of previous ]. Sensing our prey we accelerated, nostrils flaring, whooping with delight in a mêlée of teenage abandon. Oblivious to the startled shoppers around us and in the days before cromagnon security was rife, we caught up with her and prostrated ourselves at her feet, howling our adoration in a wholly unselfconscious way. She, meantime, well used to our shenanigans, told us smartly to, "fuck off". She said it quietly though - she did have her public reputation to think about of course. I wonder where she is now? She was a right laugh.
I'm into my second day without news. My passive intake has been slight today, a bit of involuntary reading of the local headlines at the petrol station [ they put the papers right next to the till ] and another fingers in ears moment when a weirdly timed radio bulletin caught me on the hop. I'm feeling pretty good not knowing if world war three has broken out. Reading blogs is a bit hazardous though as many, like me, rely on the odd topical snippet thrown in. This, in itself is interesting beause I'm, ever so slightly, finding out what's happening via the viewpoints of the bloggers and their commenters. Must be a bit like news travelled in pre-media times. Various versions and interpretations of events, subtly changing as they passed from one person to the next.
All aboard
Does the Chattanooga choo choo through Chicago I wonder?
More zippy places in the fantabulous zip code quiz - 7 zips still to be zapped.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 4:00 PM
Have you heard the news?I'm into my second day without news. My passive intake has been slight today, a bit of involuntary reading of the local headlines at the petrol station [ they put the papers right next to the till ] and another fingers in ears moment when a weirdly timed radio bulletin caught me on the hop. I'm feeling pretty good not knowing if world war three has broken out. Reading blogs is a bit hazardous though as many, like me, rely on the odd topical snippet thrown in. This, in itself is interesting beause I'm, ever so slightly, finding out what's happening via the viewpoints of the bloggers and their commenters. Must be a bit like news travelled in pre-media times. Various versions and interpretations of events, subtly changing as they passed from one person to the next.
All aboard
Does the Chattanooga choo choo through Chicago I wonder?
More zippy places in the fantabulous zip code quiz - 7 zips still to be zapped.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 4:00 PM
Monday, July 25, 2005
Do the zip code quiz 7/15 so far..
11am
It may be an illusion, but already I'm feeling a bit more focused on what I have to do today.
I've managed to avoid hearing the radio bulletins first thing. Having removed my web ticker and disabled the browser shortcut buttons to my favoured news outlets, my instinctive early morning clickfest was much shorter earlier. So far I've managed to avoid hearing any news - apart from looking at the Big Brother news pages which are my only concession. Eugene's stock is rising. The Craig & Anthony thing is heading for trouble. Hell hath no fury like a hairdresser scorned...
2pm
Still going pretty well, though I've had a couple of near misses.
Found myself inadvertently reading the Bignjuicy Gazette earlier, which just happened to be lying around. Unthinkingly, I was thumbing through it and was distracted by an article on obese pigeons before realising what I was doing and hurriedly throwing it down. Shortly after, I had to stick my fingers in my ears and hum Craig McClachlan's greatest hits when the radio news bulletin came on.
6pm
Ten hours so far with no news.
It's evening news time. But I'm not interested. No really. I know I usually tune in with a cuppa but tonight I've no time for that. I'm busy finishing some work. Honestly, I was only looking at the BB site in passing..
10pm
Another news watershed reached and I still don't know what the hell is going on in the world. Today I've felt a bit isolated and disconnected. I've noticed that my thoughts are more centred on practical things I've been meaning to do for a long time and have been putting off. I've felt tempted at times to visit the BBC News site but so far I've been good and resisted. Don't know if I can keep it up for two weeks. Maybe best not to see it as something forbidden - that will only strengthen the feeling of deprivation.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 10:05 PM
Sunday, July 24, 2005
I'm obsessed, I admit it.
I get twitchy if I'm without it for a few minutes and feel the need for regular fixes throughout the day. If it's not turning on the radio first thing in the morning, it's scanning the constantly tickering..er.. ticker I've installed on my PC. I'm a news junky.
I've noticed in the past that when I've been out of touch with the news for a week or more I feel better, more content and at ease with the world.
Now, that might be because these periods happened to coincide with sojourns in more agreeable parts of the world, plenty of alternative mental stimulation, good company, food and wine. I've a feeling, though, it's more than that. Not having my thoughts constantly drawn to external and distant events beyond my control or personal experience. Not feeling powerless in the face of such overwhelming sadness or tragedy. Not having to listen to Fiona Bruce do that throaty, self satisfied caring 'thing' with added eyebrow semaphores.
Enjoying the moments of an ordinary life - blessedly free of the horrors endured by much of humanity. Taking the focus to a more domestic and less distracted level. I want to find out what that would be like, even if only for a short time. It's actually very difficult to avoid news. It gets inserted in all sorts of places - like some kind of societal glue. Material around which people can unite and have their individuality subsumed. I'm wondering if removing this would allow a person to focus on the realities of life. The things one is able to affect and to take more pleasure in the everyday.
A while back I read a post by laP in a similar vein. Today, coincidentally, The Observer is carrying a review of Thomas de Zengotita's book, "Why we are what we are".
"If I am a sponge, an assemblage of images, sounds and influences, always looking out for my 15 minutes of fame, always rehearsing what I'll say if a camera pokes its head round my doorway or a producer from reality television comes knocking with a contract, then where is the real me, the inner core, not the outer show?"
Framing our experience in the terms provided by media is something unknown to even our recent ancestors. As a more self referential development, Blogging takes this to a new level. I know that my own horizons have been expanded by writing and reading of blogs. Connections impossible to achieve in any other way have been made and sustained. This in itself I hope to explore in time. For now, though, my objective is simpler. I've decided to go cold turkey and give up news for two weeks.
I don't think it will be possible to entirely eliminate any exposure to news because I'm bound to pick it up indirectly. My plan is to not actively seek it out through deliberate use of radio, tv, web or print. I'm going to document my experience here for the next two weeks. It'll be highly subjective but, I hope, interesting for me and for you dear reader. See you tomorrow for a round up of the days non-news highlights.
Zip Quiz
Why not try the zip code quiz?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 9:00 PM
Saturday, July 23, 2005
An inspirational piece of work by Ben Fry at the MIT Media Lab has produced this exquisite zip code map.
It dances before your eyes as you type in the code and zooms precisely down on the exact location as you enter the last digit. There's a certain sensuality about it and the fact that you can gain an insight into the way in which the zip code system works nationally is an added bonus. It's the the kind of marriage between aesthetics, technology and information display which adds new meaning - I admire.
So inspirational, I thought I'd make a little quiz based on zip codes. By using Ben's map you can decode the zips I've provided or if you already know your way round the zip system you might be able to get one straight away.
[Other zip decoders are available]
Each zip code translates to a location that features in a fairly well known song.
The answer required is the artist/s associated with that song.
Only one answer each please. I'll run the quiz until all the answers have been found.
Good luck.
Geek out?
Try as I might I couldn't find suitable progenitors for our Euge in my recent BB6 featurette. The man is a legend in the making. I'm beginning to hope he might win.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 7:10 PM
It dances before your eyes as you type in the code and zooms precisely down on the exact location as you enter the last digit. There's a certain sensuality about it and the fact that you can gain an insight into the way in which the zip code system works nationally is an added bonus. It's the the kind of marriage between aesthetics, technology and information display which adds new meaning - I admire.
So inspirational, I thought I'd make a little quiz based on zip codes. By using Ben's map you can decode the zips I've provided or if you already know your way round the zip system you might be able to get one straight away.
[Other zip decoders are available]
Each zip code translates to a location that features in a fairly well known song.
The answer required is the artist/s associated with that song.
Only one answer each please. I'll run the quiz until all the answers have been found.
Good luck.
Geek out?
Try as I might I couldn't find suitable progenitors for our Euge in my recent BB6 featurette. The man is a legend in the making. I'm beginning to hope he might win.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 7:10 PM
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Titter ye not
"An unnamed minister of state at the Foreign Office was presented with a pearl necklace by Sheika Fatima of Abu Dhabi."
Quite. Those BBC hacks are mischievous.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 1:00 PM
BB6"An unnamed minister of state at the Foreign Office was presented with a pearl necklace by Sheika Fatima of Abu Dhabi."
Quite. Those BBC hacks are mischievous.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 1:00 PM
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
 | How they are related | |
 Seal |  mutated with Chrith |  to give us Derek dahling. |
 Sarah |  used the power of her Boobs alone |  to give us Orlaith [+ constant norkage] |
 Dame Shirl |  popped her cork with Leo |  and Kemal walked into the joint |
 Steveland wondered |  into Eddie's DNA |  it was weird Science |
 The Hof |  ran into Mickeyluv |  to make Craigypoos |
 Diana did nothing whatsoever | with Eddie |  to make Princess Makosi |
 Wee Dec out of AntNDec.. |  meshed with young Tony Blackburn to make: |  Anthony Bonny Lad who meshed with Makosi to make |
 BigBrotherJacuzzi Musambasi |
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 9:10 PM
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
"Circling the Square: Avant-garde Porcelain from Revolutionary Russia" is probably not the snappiest or most seductive exhibition title. The results of my attempts to get someone to come and see it with me testify to this message of dullness from the ex-soviet marketing department of the Hermitage Rooms at Somerset House. They might as well have said, 'free potato with every ticket' - it would probably have been more effective at getting people into the show. So there I was on my own in the place surrounded by the most amazing set of crockery I've ever seen in my life. The display features work from the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory in St Petersburg from the years following the Russian Revolution in 1917. The Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg acquired the archival collections of the factory and I believe that many of these items have never been seen in Britain. I've long been a fan of constructivist, suprematist and futurist work. This was for me an orgy of indulgence. Can't remember ever seeing so much of it in one place at one time. Much of it is strikingly modern in conception and wouldn't be out of place in a contemporary home. Considering that it is between 70 and 90 years old shows how long it has taken for western european taste to catch up with directions established all that time ago. Favourite pieces were mainly by Nicholai Suetin - one of the factory's lead artists. However, rare jewels such as a deconstructed teapot by Malevich and even rarer, a plate designed by Kandinsky will stay in my memory as something very special I was able to see close up. I'm intrigued by how things are coming full circle [pun intended] as we see contemporary buildings take on the forms that emerged in post revolutionary Russia. The show is on until the end of September. Worth a fiver if you don't mind paying to see a load of old cups and saucers with the odd communist propaganda 3 foot porcelain platter thrown in. Seriously tho - I loved it.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 7:48 PM
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 7:48 PM
No more failure
" Conference believes it is time to delete the word 'fail' from the educational vocabulary to be replaced with the concept of 'deferred success'. "
It seems likely we'll be hearing a bit about this next week from this lot.
Is 'failure' a healthy concept to use in educating people?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 7:33 PM
" Conference believes it is time to delete the word 'fail' from the educational vocabulary to be replaced with the concept of 'deferred success'. "
It seems likely we'll be hearing a bit about this next week from this lot.
Is 'failure' a healthy concept to use in educating people?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 7:33 PM
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Yawn
Friday, July 15, 2005
Don't be coming here expecting to be gone in twenty seconds today.
I know the last week has been a bit sombre and minimal but - you know, it was bad - still is bad. The usual trivia seemed Inappropriate and non-essential really. It's a beautiful day today. Outside the sun is shining and there's a gentle breeze awafting thru as I type. The oppressive heat of yesterday has abated just as I was about to run naked into the street and scream. [hold that image]
There's a honeysuckle nearby which recently decided to flower after years of snooty indifference, preferring instead to grow under the rooftiles, down the drainpipe and do anything but what it had been purchased to do - flower and smell nice. Well, the flowers are not exactly abundant but they are there and they smell beaut - especially in the early evening. A while back I wrote about cutecat who likes to scramble over the rooftops in the neighbourhood and leap from high buildings onto precipitous windowledges - including mine. You may have seen the photo a while back too. Well, I've been adopted. Cutecat likes to visit at all hours of the day and night, sneaking in through the back door to nose around, snuggle up and generally act cute. I hate myself for falling for it. I'm not really a cat person but there's something about this character that melts my wee heart. I think it's the 'take it or leave it' attitude and the fact that he's such a free spirit yet he feels comfortable here. No food has been given [or will be] as I don't want him to become dependent. I knew I'd been adopted when a large unhappy dragonfly was ceremoniously deposited on my carpet last night. The poor thing was jumping around like a demented biplane whilst cutecat pawed it for amusement. Both were swiftly ejected. The dragonfly spluttering off into the gloom, the cat dissing me from a distance with a makosi stare. I'm not sure I'm ready for the carnage that being owned by cutecat may yet bring.
I've been growing some basil - which seems to be doing well in the heat and makes the kitchen smell like a trattoria. It's taking a while to reach adult size though - I wonder if I should feed it with miraclegro?
All of which brings me to the conclusion of today's post. I was glad to come across this site which gives details of Carl Honoré's book, In Praise of Slow.
What do we really want from life? An economy whose sole aim is to maximize GDP growth and make everyone consume as much as possible? Or an economy that allows people to be ambitious and entrepreneurial, but without turning every moment of the day into a rush, and without burning out the planet and everyone on it?
When push comes to shove, I think most of us want the latter.
Today:
Relax. Take time. Smell the flowers, stroke the cat, water the plants, extract bits of dragon fly from your carpet...
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 2:30 PM
I know the last week has been a bit sombre and minimal but - you know, it was bad - still is bad. The usual trivia seemed Inappropriate and non-essential really. It's a beautiful day today. Outside the sun is shining and there's a gentle breeze awafting thru as I type. The oppressive heat of yesterday has abated just as I was about to run naked into the street and scream. [hold that image]
There's a honeysuckle nearby which recently decided to flower after years of snooty indifference, preferring instead to grow under the rooftiles, down the drainpipe and do anything but what it had been purchased to do - flower and smell nice. Well, the flowers are not exactly abundant but they are there and they smell beaut - especially in the early evening. A while back I wrote about cutecat who likes to scramble over the rooftops in the neighbourhood and leap from high buildings onto precipitous windowledges - including mine. You may have seen the photo a while back too. Well, I've been adopted. Cutecat likes to visit at all hours of the day and night, sneaking in through the back door to nose around, snuggle up and generally act cute. I hate myself for falling for it. I'm not really a cat person but there's something about this character that melts my wee heart. I think it's the 'take it or leave it' attitude and the fact that he's such a free spirit yet he feels comfortable here. No food has been given [or will be] as I don't want him to become dependent. I knew I'd been adopted when a large unhappy dragonfly was ceremoniously deposited on my carpet last night. The poor thing was jumping around like a demented biplane whilst cutecat pawed it for amusement. Both were swiftly ejected. The dragonfly spluttering off into the gloom, the cat dissing me from a distance with a makosi stare. I'm not sure I'm ready for the carnage that being owned by cutecat may yet bring.
I've been growing some basil - which seems to be doing well in the heat and makes the kitchen smell like a trattoria. It's taking a while to reach adult size though - I wonder if I should feed it with miraclegro?
All of which brings me to the conclusion of today's post. I was glad to come across this site which gives details of Carl Honoré's book, In Praise of Slow.
What do we really want from life? An economy whose sole aim is to maximize GDP growth and make everyone consume as much as possible? Or an economy that allows people to be ambitious and entrepreneurial, but without turning every moment of the day into a rush, and without burning out the planet and everyone on it?
When push comes to shove, I think most of us want the latter.
Today:
Relax. Take time. Smell the flowers, stroke the cat, water the plants, extract bits of dragon fly from your carpet...
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 2:30 PM
Thursday, July 14, 2005
kinott
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
So hot that the cat has been hiding under the bath all afternoon to keep cool. So hot that the river has begun to honk with that 'special' fragrance. So hot that my armpits think they're on holiday in Manhattan in August. So hot that I have to take anti rejection drugs before my feet will take sockage. So hot that I don't care if 85 pounds of exposed blubber have just walked past my front window. So hot that nakedness is next to godliness today. So hot that Sainsburys have a sign up that reads: 'Salad? Dream on - we sold out Monday'. So hot that my heart goes out to those poor souls still working in that tunnel between Kings Cross and Russell Square.
Itwastwennyyearsagotoday.
Spot the ball
Am I hallucinating? Is there a giant football visible just north of Kings Cross / St Pancras stations in London?
Why have we not been told about this? Surely it should have featured in the Olympic Bid?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 7:16 PM
Monday, July 11, 2005
Yesterday my train exploded...
"Suddenly there was an almighty bang, the train stopped, all the lights went out and the carriage was filled with thick, dark grey smoke. There was stunned silence for a brief moment while everyone took in what was going on. Then some people started to scream.
Silence decended on the carriage apart from people choking and coughing, then someone near me quipped, “Well, at least we got the Olympics!”
I called work, told them my train had exploded and said I was covered in all this black, icky
stuff, so I was going home to get a bath. They said, “So we’ll see you around lunchtime, then?” Yeah. Right.
My kinda gal.
We're not afraid. Great idea and uplifting.
A beautiful and thoughtful idea.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 8:57 PM
10 questions"Suddenly there was an almighty bang, the train stopped, all the lights went out and the carriage was filled with thick, dark grey smoke. There was stunned silence for a brief moment while everyone took in what was going on. Then some people started to scream.
Silence decended on the carriage apart from people choking and coughing, then someone near me quipped, “Well, at least we got the Olympics!”
I called work, told them my train had exploded and said I was covered in all this black, icky
stuff, so I was going home to get a bath. They said, “So we’ll see you around lunchtime, then?” Yeah. Right.
My kinda gal.
We're not afraid. Great idea and uplifting.
A beautiful and thoughtful idea.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 8:57 PM
Sunday, July 10, 2005
1. When did we lose our traditional inhibitions against showing dead and dying victims of terrorism on television?
2. Is our sense of injustice and violation more or less justified than that expressed by innocent victims of the war in Iraq?
3. Do these events give us a new sense of solidarity with other societies where people have been killed indescriminately?
4. Can we attribute these attacks directly to our national involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan?
5. Given the high degree of disatisfaction nationally with the UK involvement in Iraq and given the view that we do not want to be targeted by terrorists - should voting be made compulsory for all UK citizens?
6. Has 'intelligence' been shown to be the opposite of that?
7. What opportunities will the current unease being felt create for those who want to impose yet more surveillance upon us?
8. Why do we continually commemorate WW2 at huge expense and how can this monumental man-made disaster in human history somehow give us insights into solving current terrorism?
9. Why is there no government Ministry of Peace?
10. Will government ministers and the royal family now travel by tube in an act of solidarity and defiance?
Linkage
..has been bestowed by butterflyuk [Lancashire rocks]. Ashley [or should that be Daddy Ashley?] has not long ago regenerated so I'm pleased to restore him to head of the list. Thankyou both - much appreciated.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 10:00 AM
on and on2. Is our sense of injustice and violation more or less justified than that expressed by innocent victims of the war in Iraq?
3. Do these events give us a new sense of solidarity with other societies where people have been killed indescriminately?
4. Can we attribute these attacks directly to our national involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan?
5. Given the high degree of disatisfaction nationally with the UK involvement in Iraq and given the view that we do not want to be targeted by terrorists - should voting be made compulsory for all UK citizens?
6. Has 'intelligence' been shown to be the opposite of that?
7. What opportunities will the current unease being felt create for those who want to impose yet more surveillance upon us?
8. Why do we continually commemorate WW2 at huge expense and how can this monumental man-made disaster in human history somehow give us insights into solving current terrorism?
9. Why is there no government Ministry of Peace?
10. Will government ministers and the royal family now travel by tube in an act of solidarity and defiance?
Linkage
..has been bestowed by butterflyuk [Lancashire rocks]. Ashley [or should that be Daddy Ashley?] has not long ago regenerated so I'm pleased to restore him to head of the list. Thankyou both - much appreciated.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 10:00 AM
Saturday, July 09, 2005
If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one
Drying in the colour of the evening sun
Tomorrow’s rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay
Perhaps this final act was meant
To clinch a lifetime’s argument
That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could
For all those born beneath an angry star
Lest we forget how fragile we are
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 1:20 AM
Cut out n keepDrying in the colour of the evening sun
Tomorrow’s rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay
Perhaps this final act was meant
To clinch a lifetime’s argument
That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could
For all those born beneath an angry star
Lest we forget how fragile we are
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 1:20 AM
Friday, July 08, 2005
Ecstasy and agony
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Hearts leapt with joy yesterday.
Now this vicious evil visits us.
What sense is there in that?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 12:00 PM
The games of the 30th Olympiad 2012 are awarded to the City of...Now this vicious evil visits us.
What sense is there in that?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 12:00 PM
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
London!
What an amazing day. I was checking the web during the morning. The BBC reporters log was excellent with minute by minute intelligence from all of the candidate cities and the key players at the conference centre in Singapore. The tension was building as the deadline for the announcement approached and I couldn't put up any longer with the disconnectedness of the web. Interestingly, the BBC site was getting slower and slower as the moment approached. Turning on the telly I saw some Singaporean singers warbling on interminably and ear piercingly before the Olympic Cushion was conveyed, bearing The Envelope to the waiting IOC President. 'Paris, Paris' kept running through my mind. How conditioned I've become to hearing disappointing news on this sort of occasion. Truly a stunning and emotional moment to hear 'London'. It sounded a bit muffled or was my mind not able to take in the word?
Great moment of national unity - wonderful.
A special mention to our man at the scene for his olympian efforts in documenting it all and his on the spot report from Trafalgar Square. I wonder what will happen to the Olympic Fridge Freezer now?
I watched the London final presentation to the IOC here - the view seems to be emerging that it was this, Seb Coe's leadership and TB's overt support [not to mention his great french accent] that clinched it.
Steve Bell does it better here.
Just one more satellite image I couldn't resist...
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 1:00 PM
Where in the world?What an amazing day. I was checking the web during the morning. The BBC reporters log was excellent with minute by minute intelligence from all of the candidate cities and the key players at the conference centre in Singapore. The tension was building as the deadline for the announcement approached and I couldn't put up any longer with the disconnectedness of the web. Interestingly, the BBC site was getting slower and slower as the moment approached. Turning on the telly I saw some Singaporean singers warbling on interminably and ear piercingly before the Olympic Cushion was conveyed, bearing The Envelope to the waiting IOC President. 'Paris, Paris' kept running through my mind. How conditioned I've become to hearing disappointing news on this sort of occasion. Truly a stunning and emotional moment to hear 'London'. It sounded a bit muffled or was my mind not able to take in the word?
Great moment of national unity - wonderful.
A special mention to our man at the scene for his olympian efforts in documenting it all and his on the spot report from Trafalgar Square. I wonder what will happen to the Olympic Fridge Freezer now?
I watched the London final presentation to the IOC here - the view seems to be emerging that it was this, Seb Coe's leadership and TB's overt support [not to mention his great french accent] that clinched it.
Steve Bell does it better here.
Just one more satellite image I couldn't resist...
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 1:00 PM
Monday, July 04, 2005
Google maps is amazing.
Even more amazing is the way in which they've underlayed the maps with satellite images so that you can switch between map and photographic view with a single click. I was able to see my car parked outside my house from 20 miles up. Isn't technology wonderful? The system is still in beta mode so GPS location or search by landmark name is difficult - as I discovered in trying to track down Mount Everest and the Great Wall of China [they lied about it being visible from space].
I've managed to find ten interesting global landmarks for you to puzzle over. The choices are unashamedly UK biased - but there's at least one from each continent so nobody should feel left out. There's a mix of natural and man-made features. Lets see if we can crack all ten within twenty four hours. Only one guess each please.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:49 PM
Natural SundayEven more amazing is the way in which they've underlayed the maps with satellite images so that you can switch between map and photographic view with a single click. I was able to see my car parked outside my house from 20 miles up. Isn't technology wonderful? The system is still in beta mode so GPS location or search by landmark name is difficult - as I discovered in trying to track down Mount Everest and the Great Wall of China [they lied about it being visible from space].
I've managed to find ten interesting global landmarks for you to puzzle over. The choices are unashamedly UK biased - but there's at least one from each continent so nobody should feel left out. There's a mix of natural and man-made features. Lets see if we can crack all ten within twenty four hours. Only one guess each please.
 1 |  2 |
 3 |  4 |
 5 |  6 |
 7 |  8 |
 9 |  10 |
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:49 PM
Sunday, July 03, 2005
I saw this handsome chap going about his business in the garden earlier.
Although he was hanging about, he wasn't hanging about and it was difficult to, a.get him in the frame and b.get him in focus. Not quite as good as I'd hoped but I think these give a sense of the intensity and drama of spider life in one small part of the world. Check out those steely eyes. I realise these might not be to everyone's taste - sorry if I've freaked you out.
One of our apostles has collapsed
Saddened, was I, to hear that the chap on the right in the photo above had collapsed earlier today.
The Twelve Apostles [there are only eight now] are limestone stacks on the south coast of Victoria, Australia. I took the photo about ten years ago. You can see how the base of the, now collapsed, stack was being eroded even then. It's a magnificent spot. You feel like you're on the edge of the world - with only Tasmania lying between you and the Antarctic. The Southern Ocean thunders in, constantly pummelling the coast and throwing up vast clouds of spray. It's like being in your own Old Spice advert. Interesting to see how the immense power of the ocean has transformed the scene in my lifetime.
"This item must be used responsibly and appropriately."
Searching for kitchen equipment earlier I stumbled across this worrying item on the Amazon site. What? / who? / where? / when? are all words that spring to mind. [Crosses legs]
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 12:15 PM