Monday, January 30, 2006
End of an era
I was sad to see that Christopher Lloyd had died at the weekend. With my being a nascent horticultural obsessive, he always seemed to be one of the good guys. Even in his eighties: radical designs, youth oriented yet steeped in the history of English garden design. Lutyens did a makeover on his house and garden, as one does. His column in the Guardian mag was published as usual at the weekend. A class act.
Tone deaf?
You could be a member of Kandifloss - "I want it right now, ooohh oooh, ohmygod, ohmygod, hair extensions lipglossagogo" etc etc.
Take the audition here - I scored 28/30 which means I've no hope of ever being in a vacuous manufactured girl band sigh
Word of the week
Humuhumunukunukuapuaa
From da Chaffinch
talking of whom...
Tits, Chaffinches and Dunnocks
No, not an episode of Ground Force - luvverly photies.
Bloggerama
See? sidebar persistence pays off. Who should make a comeback but Wrapstar. Currently detailing Zombie Flesh Eaters and high security PCs in Wigan. [ Rejoice ]
Stirrings, too over at Marky's and also a while back at Timmy's too. I need to reactivate things at the moment - [ I'm in that kind of mood ]- so: positive vibes to these dormant stars in the bloggifirmament. We need you back. [ Are you listening? ]
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 8:39 PM
I was sad to see that Christopher Lloyd had died at the weekend. With my being a nascent horticultural obsessive, he always seemed to be one of the good guys. Even in his eighties: radical designs, youth oriented yet steeped in the history of English garden design. Lutyens did a makeover on his house and garden, as one does. His column in the Guardian mag was published as usual at the weekend. A class act.
Tone deaf?
You could be a member of Kandifloss - "I want it right now, ooohh oooh, ohmygod, ohmygod, hair extensions lipglossagogo" etc etc.
Take the audition here - I scored 28/30 which means I've no hope of ever being in a vacuous manufactured girl band sigh
Word of the week
Humuhumunukunukuapuaa
From da Chaffinch
talking of whom...
Tits, Chaffinches and Dunnocks
No, not an episode of Ground Force - luvverly photies.
Bloggerama
See? sidebar persistence pays off. Who should make a comeback but Wrapstar. Currently detailing Zombie Flesh Eaters and high security PCs in Wigan. [ Rejoice ]
Stirrings, too over at Marky's and also a while back at Timmy's too. I need to reactivate things at the moment - [ I'm in that kind of mood ]- so: positive vibes to these dormant stars in the bloggifirmament. We need you back. [ Are you listening? ]
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 8:39 PM
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Dear drD
At HM Revenue & Customs we realise that a lot of people feel a bit daunted when it comes to doing their first self assessment tax return. That's why we're doing all we can to give you a helping hand!
We're enclosing another copy of your tax return form just in case the first 5 that we sent you are no longer to hand. We know how easy it is to mislay a 48 page A4 booklet with 'TAX RETURN DO NOT LOOSE' stamped on the front cover! You may remember something that looked like this dropping onto your welcome mat in January, March, May, July and September. Not to worry - we've printed 82 million so have a few spares!
Just in case it slips your mind, do look out for the handy TV adverts featuring Adam Hart-Davis. [ He's the nerdy one off those nerdy Roman things on BBC2 ]. We've made 25 adverts that get more and more desperate and threatening the nearer it gets to Jan 31st! There're online ads too! No browsing dodgy websites for you when you should be 'filing online'! It's the trendy thing to do - get on down man!
You can even think over your return whilst in the car. Flip on the radio and there's Adam - nasally nagging you to meet that deadline! Look out the window and see him on a poster as you drive past. Doesn't he look scary?!!
So there's absolutely no reason to put it off. And if you do your tax return online it's even more complicated! Just follow the 68 easy steps in our handy brochurette.
We love you drD
Mr Taxman.
PS: We know where you live and the boys are ready to drop round soon - don't delay!
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 9:45 PM
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Time for a midweek break. [You can do that when you work for yourself and need to procrastinate yourself away from doing your tax return - yawn]. Time to take the train to Kew and a little hike around the gardens. I'm pretty sure that this is a sign that my youth is receding rapidly. There was a time when I'd not dream of staring for over three minutes at a one inch cactus behind a plate glass screen, being fascinated with it's markings. There was a time when I'd run screaming from the 'nice cup of tea and a sit down' brigade with their grey hair and green jackets. There was a time when trees were things you drove past on the way to somewhere more interesting; not a destination in their own right. [ I've got a current fixation with ancient pines ]. So, yes, I confess, I've joined the ranks of the great British horticulturally obsessed.
Today was a bit nippy round the nether regions. I headed straight for the Princess Diana Memorial Greenhouse n Swamp Experience. It has this great climatic control system that combines heat [ it's yer actual greenhouse effect ] and squirty misty things which give a wonderful almost tropical humidity. [Plays havoc with afro hair]. It's also a nice place to thaw your gonads after a wintry blasting. Today they were having a big cleanout so much of the house was cordoned off. But I could get far enough in to eye up a stunning display of orchids arranged in a series of towers about 15 feet high, each festooned with orchids of different colours. Very spesh and recommended. My favourite building at Kew is the Palm House. Wonderfully elegant cast iron Victoriana sets off the fantastic specimen palms within. Wonderfully deserted today so I could wander at will, chasing the cheeky wee bird I could see flitting around in the undergrowth - he was about an inch and a half in height - I kid you not - love to know what he is. Did you know that pepper can be used to treat stomach complaints?
Later on I saw the elderly gingko tree which featured on TV a while back fading in the summer heat and in need of emergency root treatment. It looks very healthy now. As does the rest of the place. The ultimate theme park for crusties. [Don't mention the season ticket]
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 10:24 PM
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Sven song
Good old News of the Screws. Nothing like a bit of sharp investigative journalism to uncover stories of 'serious public interest'. Sven puts himself about for a possible lucrative new job. Sven doesn't rate some of his 'staff', the England players. Sven doesn't rate some of his peers, fellow football managers. So? Is this really any different from anyone in any job? It's all about circulation figures, money and the cold dead hand of anAustralian American who thinks he runs this country. Remember, Dennis Potter named his tumour, 'Rupert'.
Inspiration
"In many ways Pete is Madonna' s counterpart. He has gone through a series of successful re-inventions in his long career, yet never lost his most intriguing elements: mystery, secret sexuality, and dark humor."
Schlocktastic
Square eyes
I like this TV listing page - simple, at a glance, all one page terrestrial listings.
RT take note.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 8:43 PM
A thing of quiet beautyGood old News of the Screws. Nothing like a bit of sharp investigative journalism to uncover stories of 'serious public interest'. Sven puts himself about for a possible lucrative new job. Sven doesn't rate some of his 'staff', the England players. Sven doesn't rate some of his peers, fellow football managers. So? Is this really any different from anyone in any job? It's all about circulation figures, money and the cold dead hand of an
Inspiration
"In many ways Pete is Madonna' s counterpart. He has gone through a series of successful re-inventions in his long career, yet never lost his most intriguing elements: mystery, secret sexuality, and dark humor."
Schlocktastic
Square eyes
I like this TV listing page - simple, at a glance, all one page terrestrial listings.
RT take note.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 8:43 PM
Sunday, January 22, 2006
I first saw this cabinet when I was about 19. I had a thing for beautifully made cabinet work at the time. When you see it close up - [ Larger image here - you notice how Peter Waals, the maker, has selected carefully matched quartered walnut panels for the doors. The grain radiates outwards from the centre of each door. The construction of the cabinet is visible - you can see the joints at the corners of the carcase. The Arts and Crafts philosophy of 'honesty' is everywhere in this masterful design. Yet it is full of subtle and understated detailing; the chamfers on the drawer fronts, the diamond pattern moulding around the frame, the gentle arch of the subframe rail. The proportions appear to be based on golden sections. My opinion when I first saw it was that it is a thing of quiet beauty. Over twenty years later I've not changed my mind. Made in 1928, I'd still be happy to have it in my home, as I am sure would many. It's tucked away in the twentieth century furniture gallery at the V&A. The gallery is a treasure trove of modern furniture with pieces by Voysey, Gimson, Mackintosh, Hoffman and many other masters. Yet, these days, the gallery is rarely opened. 'Staff shortages' the last time I asked. Still, one day soon I'll get to go and see my cabinet again I hope. I found out today that the cabinet was comissioned by Frank Pick, one time Chief Executive of London Transport. Pick is responsible for many of the iconic modern movement commissions which are still part of LT's estate. Most notably, I think, he commissioned the London Underground roundel from Edward Johnston who also designed the London Underground typeface. There's a great piece on Frank here.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 10:47 PM
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Amidst all the talk of Whales in Westminster these last days, nobody has seen fit to present a potted history of other marine visitors to the capital in years gone by. The job, once again, falls to me; the man with his fishfinger on the pulse.
Who can forget the notorious 'sea cucumber in a tube station' crisis of 1970?
'Little squidge', as the Cockerney Chronicle dubbed him, was unfortuately squished when he failed to mind the gap. This may be because his mind was quite small - being a sea creature of diminutive proportion and limited evolutionary sophistication. A memorial plaque was placed on the wall of the tube station. It was recently upgraded to a chocolate machine [ not working ].
1983 saw a giant squid landing on the roof of Buckingham Palace during the Octopussy promotional campaign. An incompetent James Bond lackey had pressed the release button too early and the squid - destined originally for the Thames - splattered onto the roof of Her Majesty's secret servants quarters. She was not amused. The squid was scraped off, placed in a selection of tupperware containers and frozen for later use as organic corgy snackettes. Never one to waste money is our Brenda.
Of course, the most recent fishy fandango in London's fair city was the so called, 'Holy Haddock of Harrods' incident in early 1998. Just a few months after the tragic demise of The Princess of Hearts and her companion, a large memorial haddock had been placed in the window of the famous emporium to focus the attention of passers by. The haddock, as many will know, is an ancient symbol of love; very popular in royal circles as an aphrodisiac. Whilst a controversial choice in these particular circumstances, few expected much trouble aside from the usual screaming headlines in the News of the Screws, 'Diana in Fish Tribute Nightmare' etc. It was not until a passing nun noticed that the giant fish had begun to weep that hordes of devout pilgrims began to assemble in front of the shop on their knees, gnashing their teeth and flagellating themselves with bunches of cut price cut flowers from the nearby Shell Garage, all overcome with grief. Of course, the authorities hushed it up. It was claimed that Prince Philip personally ordered the haddock to be lasered late at night in an effort to quell the growing hysteria surrounding the lachrymosal lamentations. Nobody knows exactly what became of it. Only one thing is clear, like so many marine misadventures it all ended in tears.
Apparently, acupuncture deactivates the brain. Suddenly it all becomes clear.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 5:18 PM
Do you knowWho can forget the notorious 'sea cucumber in a tube station' crisis of 1970?
'Little squidge', as the Cockerney Chronicle dubbed him, was unfortuately squished when he failed to mind the gap. This may be because his mind was quite small - being a sea creature of diminutive proportion and limited evolutionary sophistication. A memorial plaque was placed on the wall of the tube station. It was recently upgraded to a chocolate machine [ not working ].
1983 saw a giant squid landing on the roof of Buckingham Palace during the Octopussy promotional campaign. An incompetent James Bond lackey had pressed the release button too early and the squid - destined originally for the Thames - splattered onto the roof of Her Majesty's secret servants quarters. She was not amused. The squid was scraped off, placed in a selection of tupperware containers and frozen for later use as organic corgy snackettes. Never one to waste money is our Brenda.
Of course, the most recent fishy fandango in London's fair city was the so called, 'Holy Haddock of Harrods' incident in early 1998. Just a few months after the tragic demise of The Princess of Hearts and her companion, a large memorial haddock had been placed in the window of the famous emporium to focus the attention of passers by. The haddock, as many will know, is an ancient symbol of love; very popular in royal circles as an aphrodisiac. Whilst a controversial choice in these particular circumstances, few expected much trouble aside from the usual screaming headlines in the News of the Screws, 'Diana in Fish Tribute Nightmare' etc. It was not until a passing nun noticed that the giant fish had begun to weep that hordes of devout pilgrims began to assemble in front of the shop on their knees, gnashing their teeth and flagellating themselves with bunches of cut price cut flowers from the nearby Shell Garage, all overcome with grief. Of course, the authorities hushed it up. It was claimed that Prince Philip personally ordered the haddock to be lasered late at night in an effort to quell the growing hysteria surrounding the lachrymosal lamentations. Nobody knows exactly what became of it. Only one thing is clear, like so many marine misadventures it all ended in tears.
Apparently, acupuncture deactivates the brain. Suddenly it all becomes clear.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 5:18 PM
Thursday, January 19, 2006
1. How to get builders to turn up to give an estimate when they say they will?
2. If UK society will get better or worse in the next thirty years?
3. Why computers fail when you most need them not to?
4. Anyone that could make me the kind of window blind used on motor yachts?
5. An excuse used for docking boxer dog tails?
6. What I'm wearing right now?
7. If it's worth buying organic milk?
8. Any famous people?
9. What you plan to do in the summer?
10. How to remove water marks from unfinished beech?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:26 PM
Shhh2. If UK society will get better or worse in the next thirty years?
3. Why computers fail when you most need them not to?
4. Anyone that could make me the kind of window blind used on motor yachts?
5. An excuse used for docking boxer dog tails?
6. What I'm wearing right now?
7. If it's worth buying organic milk?
8. Any famous people?
9. What you plan to do in the summer?
10. How to remove water marks from unfinished beech?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:26 PM
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Bit quiet round here presently.
Januaryitis.
Know any good jokes?
Out of the mouth of parrots
We liked this one.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 10:29 PM
Crapness analysedJanuaryitis.
Know any good jokes?
Out of the mouth of parrots
We liked this one.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 10:29 PM
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Minor crapness today but nothing on the scale of yesterday; which was interesting. My conclusion is that several crap events in a short period can lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed. A sort of u bend experience. Not good. Maintaining ones interior representation of reality when all around you appears to be crumbling seems to be the automatic response. But it can be painful when the externals are so far from the internals. I know that the 'healthy' response is to adapt ones frame of reference in such situations. I still find that bleedin difficult. My hunch is that it's a clinging on to what is known and familiar and a desire to maintain that. Feels comfortable just writing that. How fragile we are.
The world of Ken Morse
'Britain's premier rostrum cameraman'. Where would be without him?
Queasy question
Do you think that, now it's going to be legal to open a mini brothel, that whole new areas of the economy will open up.. so to speak? "Hello, is that First Direct? I'd like a bonk loan to start a small business please"...etc
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:59 PM
A little of what you fancyThe world of Ken Morse
'Britain's premier rostrum cameraman'. Where would be without him?
Queasy question
Do you think that, now it's going to be legal to open a mini brothel, that whole new areas of the economy will open up.. so to speak? "Hello, is that First Direct? I'd like a bonk loan to start a small business please"...etc
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:59 PM
Monday, January 16, 2006
..does you good.
With the worst day of the year just a week away I'm a bit concerned. Today has been officially crap. A number of crap things have happened, none life threatening but disconcerting and undermining and disruptive in a 'where did the sky go?' kind of way. You know how it is, you get up in the morning expecting the day to progress in a similar manner to previous days. [ Slave to routine moi? ] Shortly, things start to go wrong and then continue to do so for the whole day. Almost. So far, [ looks up ], the roof has not begun to leak. It's raining outside. [ Crosses legs and fingers, caresses lucky Jimmy Saville voodoo doll ] Please God, don't let the next 7 days get crappier.
Meanwhile, I decide to take matters into my own hands. [ Hold that image ]. A nice glass [or three] of champagne is called for. It's Monday, it's cold, dark and wet outside. I've just spent an hour walking home due to failure of a motorised kind, I forgot to renew my breakdown cover. What more excuse do I need? What goes best with champagne? A Tunnocks tea cake. Lovingly sucked till it's mallow can resist no more.
I'm easily pleased.
Just as well because today really has been crap. Did I say that already?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:37 PM
I'm on the train, I've fried my brainWith the worst day of the year just a week away I'm a bit concerned. Today has been officially crap. A number of crap things have happened, none life threatening but disconcerting and undermining and disruptive in a 'where did the sky go?' kind of way. You know how it is, you get up in the morning expecting the day to progress in a similar manner to previous days. [ Slave to routine moi? ] Shortly, things start to go wrong and then continue to do so for the whole day. Almost. So far, [ looks up ], the roof has not begun to leak. It's raining outside. [ Crosses legs and fingers, caresses lucky Jimmy Saville voodoo doll ] Please God, don't let the next 7 days get crappier.
Meanwhile, I decide to take matters into my own hands. [ Hold that image ]. A nice glass [or three] of champagne is called for. It's Monday, it's cold, dark and wet outside. I've just spent an hour walking home due to failure of a motorised kind, I forgot to renew my breakdown cover. What more excuse do I need? What goes best with champagne? A Tunnocks tea cake. Lovingly sucked till it's mallow can resist no more.
I'm easily pleased.
Just as well because today really has been crap. Did I say that already?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:37 PM
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Only just came across this article from 2002 which appears to suggest that travelling in a train carriage with a load of mobile tossers commuters really might fry your brain. The carriage construction of glass and steel intensifies the radiation, leading to advanced bigmacitis of the frontal lobes. One might have expected to hear more fuss made about this. "Wewouldliketoinformallcustomersthatthebuffeecarisnowclosed. Customerswithoverheatedbrainsareadvisedtoshutthefuckupandgiveusallabreak. Thankyew."
Starstruck
Be a part of history. Take part in the search for stardust particles from within the comfort of your own home. At last something to help you stay on the straight and narrow and keep that resolution of not looking at carrier bag fetish websites. stardust@home
Don't call us
A challenge to UK call centre hell emerged last week on the new ITV Richard Hammond 5 O'Clock Show [ yes the vertically challenged one from Top Gear who thinks - mistakenly - that he's cute ]. They shipped in US guru Paul English to launch a systematic attempt to identify keypad shortcuts to a human being within the call handling systems of major UK institutions. Paul English's cheatsheet has become very popular in the US where a lot of the call handling systems used in the UK originate. A natural move, then, to import the knowledge gained there so that customers here have a chance of fighting back against the contemptuous diversion tactics employed by many companies to avoid providing decent levels of service. The 5 O'Clock Show is also apparently collating tip offs from company insiders of unpublished codes and numbers which will get you straight through. We likey.
I was amazed at how just pressing the * # or 0 key in various combinations will often do the trick. I'm currently training the hamsters to do this on a shift basis in a cunning use of downtime when not on thong duty.
Paul's own UK list is here.
His US list contains a good range of cheats which might just work on some UK systems.
The 5 O'Clock list is here.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 2:30 PM
Starstruck
Be a part of history. Take part in the search for stardust particles from within the comfort of your own home. At last something to help you stay on the straight and narrow and keep that resolution of not looking at carrier bag fetish websites. stardust@home
Don't call us
A challenge to UK call centre hell emerged last week on the new ITV Richard Hammond 5 O'Clock Show [ yes the vertically challenged one from Top Gear who thinks - mistakenly - that he's cute ]. They shipped in US guru Paul English to launch a systematic attempt to identify keypad shortcuts to a human being within the call handling systems of major UK institutions. Paul English's cheatsheet has become very popular in the US where a lot of the call handling systems used in the UK originate. A natural move, then, to import the knowledge gained there so that customers here have a chance of fighting back against the contemptuous diversion tactics employed by many companies to avoid providing decent levels of service. The 5 O'Clock Show is also apparently collating tip offs from company insiders of unpublished codes and numbers which will get you straight through. We likey.
I was amazed at how just pressing the * # or 0 key in various combinations will often do the trick. I'm currently training the hamsters to do this on a shift basis in a cunning use of downtime when not on thong duty.
Paul's own UK list is here.
His US list contains a good range of cheats which might just work on some UK systems.
The 5 O'Clock list is here.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 2:30 PM
Friday, January 13, 2006
+ 
= 
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
 | I try to discover A little something to make me sweeter Oh baby refrain from breaking my heart I’m so in love with you I’ll be forever blue That you give me no reason Why you’re making me work so hard Soul, I hear you calling Oh baby please give a little respect to me With apologies to Erasure |
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:59 PM
Monday, January 09, 2006
 | Their Supreme Royalnesses have today announced a Royal competition to design a national memorial for the late Royalness Queenie Mummy. The competition is to be judged by His Royalness the Prince of Tamponis de Cheval. I have worked through the night to be first to submit my entry for the competition which I reproduce here for posterity. Briefly, it features her late Royalness atop a finely honed pillar of purest upvc with Greco Roman style attachments [£1.50 extra per unit]. A plaque of loyalty is attached to yon pillar bearing a loyal oath of loyalness to Her Royalness. [ 'Gawd Bless Yer Marm' ] [ Genuflect ]. Two corgis rampant stand guard ready to suck the ankles of any ruffian or foreigner who gets too close to the Royal Visage. I envisage the whole ensemble to be placed amid a nice bed of winter flowering cabbages with Chrysanthemums [geddit?] in the warmer months. This will be a fitting and lasting tribute to a lovely lady who always had the common touch. I will only require a fraction of the two million quid on offer and the rest I gladly donate to Her Majesty's pleasure. I remain, your humble worthlessness, drD. |
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 9:18 PM
Sunday, January 08, 2006
"The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on the 25th day of March 1707, is hereby reconvened." These were the opening words from Winnie Ewing MSP in July 1999 as the parliament, dissolved after The Act of Union, was connected with it's modern successor. I think that the sense of Scotland's past as an independent nation needs to be borne in mind when looking at the new Scottish Parliament Building today. Surely, no more controversial building in the British Isles in recent times than the Enric Miralles designed complex at Holyrood, Edinburgh. Winner of the Stirling Prize and more recently shortlisted as one of the 12 buildings in Britain that the Great British Public would like to see demolished. It's £450 million price tag following massive overspending has lodged it in some Scottish minds as a huge waste of money. Having now visited it twice, my considered view is that the demolition calls will fade. Something of this quality will be around for a long time. It's a case of the nation coming to terms with the vision of it's leaders to establish a lasting institution. The building is realised in a rich architectural language and is unlike anything I've ever seen before except, perhaps, Brambuk Aboriginal cultural centre in Victoria, Australia. The Australian building was conceived to 'grow out of the earth' and it's structure and internal configuration lead you on a journey. I find it a telling similarity that the stated intention of Miralles for the Scottish Parliament was that, "the building should arise from the sloping base of Arthur's seat and arrive into the city almost surging out of the rock." The organic approach is currently en vogue. A case, perhaps of western architects catching up with ancient wisdom. Sadly the eco credentials of the aboriginal centre are nowhere to be seen in the parliament; each MSP office ceiling is 18 tons of concrete for example.
The parliament is not just one building, rather a complex of new buildings which incorporates also the seventeenth century Queensbury House. The groundplan follows a loosely floral form. Miralles was, like me, a big fan of Mackintosh. There are many Mackintosh influences to be seen in the building not least in it's adaptation of plant forms throughout. The garden lobby is a unifying masterpiece which links all of the seperate buildings together. It's beautiful roof evoking fallen leaves with it's complex glazed skylights. On my first visit I was able to sit in on a debate in the chamber. This is a far more civilised place than it's older Westminster parent. MSPs speak for four minutes and are then cut off by the sound controller. Voting is electronic, using the built in computers in each desk. The desks form a semicircle around the speaker. Even the mace is electronically raised and lowered out of it's glass storage space. The chamber is also an awe inspiring space with the laminated wooden roof beams and a complex tensioned cantilever structure providing uninterrupted, column free views throughout. Natural light floods in and there are views of the surrounding Holyrood landscape through panoramic windows.
The entire complex is highly crafted with very few standard components being used. Bespoke is the word. Although pattern and repetition occur there are always subtle variations in materials or configuration. Predominant materials are oak, steel, granite and concrete. These are handled with immense skill and the result is an understated warmth and richness which will age beautifully like the best buildings of the modern movement have done. How the concrete of the exterior will fair in the damp Caledonian climate remains to be seen. Expect more moneypit headlines when the maintenance bills start to appear. Some have said that this is the most important public building in Scotland for 300 years. I don't think there is anything else quite like this anywhere. I'm tempted to say 'masterpiece'. Certainly unprecedented and showing all the signs of a genius. Like Mackintosh, Miralles sadly died too young. Had he lived I wonder what marvels he would have gone on to produce. As it is, the Scottish Parliament is his marvellous moment for history and a new icon for the Scottish Nation.
Debating chamber panorama
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 4:03 PM
The parliament is not just one building, rather a complex of new buildings which incorporates also the seventeenth century Queensbury House. The groundplan follows a loosely floral form. Miralles was, like me, a big fan of Mackintosh. There are many Mackintosh influences to be seen in the building not least in it's adaptation of plant forms throughout. The garden lobby is a unifying masterpiece which links all of the seperate buildings together. It's beautiful roof evoking fallen leaves with it's complex glazed skylights. On my first visit I was able to sit in on a debate in the chamber. This is a far more civilised place than it's older Westminster parent. MSPs speak for four minutes and are then cut off by the sound controller. Voting is electronic, using the built in computers in each desk. The desks form a semicircle around the speaker. Even the mace is electronically raised and lowered out of it's glass storage space. The chamber is also an awe inspiring space with the laminated wooden roof beams and a complex tensioned cantilever structure providing uninterrupted, column free views throughout. Natural light floods in and there are views of the surrounding Holyrood landscape through panoramic windows.
The entire complex is highly crafted with very few standard components being used. Bespoke is the word. Although pattern and repetition occur there are always subtle variations in materials or configuration. Predominant materials are oak, steel, granite and concrete. These are handled with immense skill and the result is an understated warmth and richness which will age beautifully like the best buildings of the modern movement have done. How the concrete of the exterior will fair in the damp Caledonian climate remains to be seen. Expect more moneypit headlines when the maintenance bills start to appear. Some have said that this is the most important public building in Scotland for 300 years. I don't think there is anything else quite like this anywhere. I'm tempted to say 'masterpiece'. Certainly unprecedented and showing all the signs of a genius. Like Mackintosh, Miralles sadly died too young. Had he lived I wonder what marvels he would have gone on to produce. As it is, the Scottish Parliament is his marvellous moment for history and a new icon for the Scottish Nation.
Debating chamber panorama
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freshly squeezed for you by drD at 4:03 PM
Saturday, January 07, 2006
I predict a quiet
The 2006 predictions page is now up and available for you to update via it's comments should you spot a prediction coming true. Not too late to alter or add predictions if you wish.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 8:41 PM
Future shockThe 2006 predictions page is now up and available for you to update via it's comments should you spot a prediction coming true. Not too late to alter or add predictions if you wish.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 8:41 PM
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Thanks for all your 2006 predictions. Here's the complete list, including my own.
1. There will be bad publicity for Mr D. Tennant for some un-Doctor like behaviour.
2. The US will be confronted unpleasantly with the realities of global warming.
3. There will be a royal scandal.
4. July will be very hot in the UK.
5. A famous animal will expire.
6. A member of Take That will suffer from 'exhaustion'.
7. Tony Blair will still be prime minister in December.
8. Something really exciting and positive will happen to me.
9. An unexpected happening of national note will occur on the South Coast of England.
10. Shayne X Factor will join Gareth, Michelle and Steve in the Simon Cowell Secure Wheely Bin For Discarded Things That Make No Money. (S.C.S.W.B.F.D.T.T.M.N.M) [ Sorry no link - the domain name exploded my computer ]
From JB
11. The economy will continue heading south and Gordon Brown will get into a lot of trouble.
12. A friend of JB's will come to his senses and realise that his boyfriend is really bad for him.
13. JB will lose his excess fat and turn into a musclebound sexgod.
From Ashley
14. England will do remarkably well at the World Cup and the nation and its expats shall experience Svenitus.
15. Depeche Mode will cancel their Tel Aviv date due to "security concerns".
16. My little English school will turn into a franchised monster.
17. It will be hot in Israel in July.
From Alix
18. There will be a hosepipe ban in England despite continuous depressing drizzle.
19. I will manage to keep up the four alcohol free days a week I am aiming for.
20. Wayne Rooney will get sent off in a crucial world cup match and be blamed for us losing the cup again. Despite the fact that the rest of the team were crap anyway.
From Lee
21. England 'will' win the World Cup! The 1966 spirit will take hold throughout the year!
22. Britain'll continue with the 'Tesco outbreak' and the chain will consequently try America out for size.
23. China will get ever more powerful. The States will get pissed off by this! And will take its anger out on another middle-eastern country.
From Ian
24. Shayne will be hyooooooooge!
From Damo
25. David Cameron will be expelled from the tory party for looking too much like a 20 year old.
26. BBC and ITV will do the honourable thing and cancel Strictly Come Dancing and X-Factor respectively. Channel 4 will have no choice but to take BB off the air for good. And the nation will rejoice.
27. I will lose lots of weight.
From Tristan
28. The price of gas may rise
From Simon
29. Poor weather.
30. Shit television.
31. More delinquent children.
32. Political shenanegins.
33. War.
Well, some interesting ideas there which I'll be keeping an eye on throughout the year with occasional updates to see how we are doing - if you notice one of your predictions has come true then you can let us know on the special update page I'll be publishing at the weekend. Meanwhile if anyone would like to add to the list feel free in the comments. I'm off for a couple of days so see you Saturday.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:59 PM
1. There will be bad publicity for Mr D. Tennant for some un-Doctor like behaviour.
2. The US will be confronted unpleasantly with the realities of global warming.
3. There will be a royal scandal.
4. July will be very hot in the UK.
5. A famous animal will expire.
6. A member of Take That will suffer from 'exhaustion'.
7. Tony Blair will still be prime minister in December.
8. Something really exciting and positive will happen to me.
9. An unexpected happening of national note will occur on the South Coast of England.
10. Shayne X Factor will join Gareth, Michelle and Steve in the Simon Cowell Secure Wheely Bin For Discarded Things That Make No Money. (S.C.S.W.B.F.D.T.T.M.N.M) [ Sorry no link - the domain name exploded my computer ]
From JB
11. The economy will continue heading south and Gordon Brown will get into a lot of trouble.
12. A friend of JB's will come to his senses and realise that his boyfriend is really bad for him.
13. JB will lose his excess fat and turn into a musclebound sexgod.
From Ashley
14. England will do remarkably well at the World Cup and the nation and its expats shall experience Svenitus.
15. Depeche Mode will cancel their Tel Aviv date due to "security concerns".
16. My little English school will turn into a franchised monster.
17. It will be hot in Israel in July.
From Alix
18. There will be a hosepipe ban in England despite continuous depressing drizzle.
19. I will manage to keep up the four alcohol free days a week I am aiming for.
20. Wayne Rooney will get sent off in a crucial world cup match and be blamed for us losing the cup again. Despite the fact that the rest of the team were crap anyway.
From Lee
21. England 'will' win the World Cup! The 1966 spirit will take hold throughout the year!
22. Britain'll continue with the 'Tesco outbreak' and the chain will consequently try America out for size.
23. China will get ever more powerful. The States will get pissed off by this! And will take its anger out on another middle-eastern country.
From Ian
24. Shayne will be hyooooooooge!
From Damo
25. David Cameron will be expelled from the tory party for looking too much like a 20 year old.
26. BBC and ITV will do the honourable thing and cancel Strictly Come Dancing and X-Factor respectively. Channel 4 will have no choice but to take BB off the air for good. And the nation will rejoice.
27. I will lose lots of weight.
From Tristan
28. The price of gas may rise
From Simon
29. Poor weather.
30. Shit television.
31. More delinquent children.
32. Political shenanegins.
33. War.
Well, some interesting ideas there which I'll be keeping an eye on throughout the year with occasional updates to see how we are doing - if you notice one of your predictions has come true then you can let us know on the special update page I'll be publishing at the weekend. Meanwhile if anyone would like to add to the list feel free in the comments. I'm off for a couple of days so see you Saturday.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:59 PM
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
New logo - which do you prefer?
Suck that gas
Imagine, pavements and buildings that can clean the air of car exhaust fumes. Clever stuff. I'm writing to bignjuicy borough council about this. It's being installed in Southampton Row, London on a trial basis. This has to be one of the most noxious streets in the capital so is a good test. Will be very interesting to see if it works.
Fan bloody tastic
The BBC drama, Sweeney Todd.
Exquisitely detailed, meticulously researched, beautifully designed, masterfully acted.
I started to watch it casually and couldn't take my eyes of the screen.
What with this and Alan Titchmarsh, my licence fee has never been better spent.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:59 PM
Monday, January 02, 2006
Briefly noted
Mad mothers
"Women, I ask you to PLEASE look in your son or daughters rooms and really take alook at the music and movies they are exposing themselves to. My husband and I are debating storngly about sending our son to seek some professional help. Right now I amvery upset and do not know what to do. I do not want my son to become a pervert. I do not know how he got interested in this stuff at all. And I thought Marylin Manson was the sickest
thing around."
[ via Ian ]
Like an Egyptian
Simon has posted some fine photos of Egyptian antiquities taken on his recent winter break.
Your predictions puhleeese. [Beloooooooooooooooow]
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 9:57 PM
drD predicts 06Mad mothers
"Women, I ask you to PLEASE look in your son or daughters rooms and really take alook at the music and movies they are exposing themselves to. My husband and I are debating storngly about sending our son to seek some professional help. Right now I amvery upset and do not know what to do. I do not want my son to become a pervert. I do not know how he got interested in this stuff at all. And I thought Marylin Manson was the sickest
thing around."
[ via Ian ]
Like an Egyptian
Simon has posted some fine photos of Egyptian antiquities taken on his recent winter break.
Your predictions puhleeese. [Beloooooooooooooooow]
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 9:57 PM
Sunday, January 01, 2006
At this time of year newspaper journalists like to email in their recycled new year predictions from last year whilst they hoover up barrels of coke, consume vats of wine and have rampant orgies at home. [So I've been told anyway]. I thought I'd leave off the coke for a while as the ice cubes have melted and brown froth has begun to come out of my nose. Instead, I've been listening to Kate Bush and gazing into a cheap plastic bauble I got from Matalan. The spirits have spoken and I can exclusively reveal my 10 predictions for the coming year. They are:
[ pause for bleedin ages whilst Davina McCall adjusts wonderbra and a nation texts]
1. There will be bad publicity for Mr D. Tennant for some un-Doctor like behaviour.
2. The US will be confronted unpleasantly with the realities of global warming.
3. There will be a royal scandal.
4. July will be very hot in the UK.
5. A famous animal will expire.
6. A member of Take That will suffer from 'exhaustion'.
7. Tony Blair will still be prime minister in December.
8. Something really exciting and positive will happen to me.
9. An unexpected happening of national note will occur on the South Coast of England.
10. Shane X Factor will join Gareth, Michelle and Steve in the Simon Cowell Secure Wheely Bin For Discarded Things That Make No Money. (S.C.S.W.B.F.D.T.T.M.N.M) [ Sorry no link - the domain name exploded my computer ]
Care to share your own own prediction/s?
Ah go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on.
Chilled Monkeys
Gawd I'm so hipnhappenin. Following my homage du singes arctiques I find this little number in The Observer.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 10:06 PM
[ pause for bleedin ages whilst Davina McCall adjusts wonderbra and a nation texts]
1. There will be bad publicity for Mr D. Tennant for some un-Doctor like behaviour.
2. The US will be confronted unpleasantly with the realities of global warming.
3. There will be a royal scandal.
4. July will be very hot in the UK.
5. A famous animal will expire.
6. A member of Take That will suffer from 'exhaustion'.
7. Tony Blair will still be prime minister in December.
8. Something really exciting and positive will happen to me.
9. An unexpected happening of national note will occur on the South Coast of England.
10. Shane X Factor will join Gareth, Michelle and Steve in the Simon Cowell Secure Wheely Bin For Discarded Things That Make No Money. (S.C.S.W.B.F.D.T.T.M.N.M) [ Sorry no link - the domain name exploded my computer ]
Care to share your own own prediction/s?
Ah go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. Go on.
Chilled Monkeys
Gawd I'm so hipnhappenin. Following my homage du singes arctiques I find this little number in The Observer.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 10:06 PM