Monday, February 11, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Fire With Fire 7
Nasty and jubilant.
I think we need a study of whether the tats are on his skin or a fake skin has been applied. Can't see any chest hair.
I think we need a study of whether the tats are on his skin or a fake skin has been applied. Can't see any chest hair.
Saturday, February 09, 2013
Friday, February 08, 2013
Thursday, February 07, 2013
The Gentle Art of Love
Beano and Mitzi just adore each other. They spend lots of time cuddled up together snugly.
The vet was so clever when he removed Beano's right eye 13 years ago - it just looks like it's closed.
On the other hand, Jae Jae the Sumatran tiger has no idea how to entice his lady Melati. Just prior to this clip, he had pounced on her, much to her distaste. So then he tried a ploy equally unlikely to succeed. (You may want to reduce the volume, there were a few noisy children watching.)
See how tiny she is compared to him?
The vet was so clever when he removed Beano's right eye 13 years ago - it just looks like it's closed.
On the other hand, Jae Jae the Sumatran tiger has no idea how to entice his lady Melati. Just prior to this clip, he had pounced on her, much to her distaste. So then he tried a ploy equally unlikely to succeed. (You may want to reduce the volume, there were a few noisy children watching.)
See how tiny she is compared to him?
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Odds and Sods, Cabbages and Kings
Thanks to our wonderful "traffic calming" methods in London, I regularly have to abuse my car by going over ridiculously large road humps (unaffectionately known as "sleeping policemen"), and recently the clunking has been worrying me.
A call yesterday to the RAC and I found myself being towed to the Nissan dealership to have a broken coil spring replaced.
But not on the same day. Nissan dealerships apparently don't carry Nissan parts, and when they order them, they take some days to arrive. Eventually we agreed on a clone piece (and then a new battery, you know how it goes) but I would get it back this morning.
No. No call. No apology. No more me for a customer. And a bill for over £280.
But one of the more surreal and interesting news items of the week is the fate of good old Dick The Shit (Richard The Turd, geddit?) who died in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was buried at Greyfriars church in Leicestershire, central England, but the church is long gone. So some of his fans - those particularly who think he was maligned by Shakespeare and did not murder the two little princes in the Tower before usurping their throne - have been hunting down the whereabouts of his remains. Old maps proved that the site of the church was now under the car park of a council building.
One parking space bizarrely had a letter R painted on it (for reserved, presumably) and Dick's top fan stood there and got a funny feeling. When the archaeological dig began, bones were found under that parking space. The woman was disappointed to find that the body had severe scoliosis, and like other Richardists she did not believe the slander of the hunchback. But they dug him up. They scanned him. They radio-carbon dated him. They did a facial reconstruction. And they found a 17th generation descendant of his sister for a DNA test. Guess what? It's him! Unbelievable!
But not on the same day. Nissan dealerships apparently don't carry Nissan parts, and when they order them, they take some days to arrive. Eventually we agreed on a clone piece (and then a new battery, you know how it goes) but I would get it back this morning.
No. No call. No apology. No more me for a customer. And a bill for over £280.
But one of the more surreal and interesting news items of the week is the fate of good old Dick The Shit (Richard The Turd, geddit?) who died in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was buried at Greyfriars church in Leicestershire, central England, but the church is long gone. So some of his fans - those particularly who think he was maligned by Shakespeare and did not murder the two little princes in the Tower before usurping their throne - have been hunting down the whereabouts of his remains. Old maps proved that the site of the church was now under the car park of a council building.
One parking space bizarrely had a letter R painted on it (for reserved, presumably) and Dick's top fan stood there and got a funny feeling. When the archaeological dig began, bones were found under that parking space. The woman was disappointed to find that the body had severe scoliosis, and like other Richardists she did not believe the slander of the hunchback. But they dug him up. They scanned him. They radio-carbon dated him. They did a facial reconstruction. And they found a 17th generation descendant of his sister for a DNA test. Guess what? It's him! Unbelievable!
Richard's portrait
Reconstruction
Reconstruction.
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
Monday, February 04, 2013
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Saturday, February 02, 2013
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Friday, February 01, 2013
What Next?
Well, folks, I've got to the end of LOCI, so I am now racking my brains for a new theme for my posts.
While I await ideas either from my brain or yours, dear readers, I'll just post a few random pictures.
Remember this one of Vincent filming Don't Go In The Woods in 2008? It's the wallpaper on my phone.
While I await ideas either from my brain or yours, dear readers, I'll just post a few random pictures.
Remember this one of Vincent filming Don't Go In The Woods in 2008? It's the wallpaper on my phone.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
To The Boy In The Blue Knit Cap - Day 11
And so the beautiful Bobby prepares to ride off into the sunset.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Playing to your strengths
As most visitors to this blog will most likely have realised, I don't cook. I'm not very good and I find it really boring.
So you can imagine how delighted I was to find yesterday that the teacher I was covering yesterday was the Food Technology teacher, and there was cooking as the cover work.
The school is one I know of old, though it has gone through many changes, and is due some more at Easter. The students used to be really difficult, but in my more recent visits there current cohort are much more amenable. Thank goodness.
The first class was to bake Anzac biscuits (so named because they originate in Australia and New Zealand. They are made from flour, rolled oats, golden syrup, butter and baking soda.
Sadly, the cut-outs spread on the baking trays and formed a whole. That would have been OK, but not all the trays were properly greased, and it was all I could do to chip a few crumbs from one.
The next two classes had to make a basic vegetable stir fry. There was a reasonable choice of ingredients, but kids being kids, most wouldn't touch some of them, especially the mushrooms, so no one's finished product lookd anything like this:
One girl rejected hers, so rather than waste it, I forced myself to eat it with a little soy sauce. It was yummy.
The kids were great throughout, and I'm not even dreading doing more of the same tomorrow and Thursday.
I feel I've had a very lucky escape.
So you can imagine how delighted I was to find yesterday that the teacher I was covering yesterday was the Food Technology teacher, and there was cooking as the cover work.
The school is one I know of old, though it has gone through many changes, and is due some more at Easter. The students used to be really difficult, but in my more recent visits there current cohort are much more amenable. Thank goodness.
The first class was to bake Anzac biscuits (so named because they originate in Australia and New Zealand. They are made from flour, rolled oats, golden syrup, butter and baking soda.
Sadly, the cut-outs spread on the baking trays and formed a whole. That would have been OK, but not all the trays were properly greased, and it was all I could do to chip a few crumbs from one.
The next two classes had to make a basic vegetable stir fry. There was a reasonable choice of ingredients, but kids being kids, most wouldn't touch some of them, especially the mushrooms, so no one's finished product lookd anything like this:
One girl rejected hers, so rather than waste it, I forced myself to eat it with a little soy sauce. It was yummy.
The kids were great throughout, and I'm not even dreading doing more of the same tomorrow and Thursday.
I feel I've had a very lucky escape.
Monday, January 28, 2013
To The Boy In The Blue Knit Cap - Day 8
Don't wory, Bobby, I think we all want to strangle the little squit.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
To The Boy In The Blue Knit Cap - Day 5
Bobby looks surprised. Well, of course - the stupid girl's interested in someone else!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
To The Boy In The Blue Knit Cap - Day 4
He's in the background, but Bobby still dominates the scene.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Are you being served?
Twice in two days I've had the same response at shops which were out of stock of the items I wanted to buy.
Do they really think that saying, "We should be getting some in tomorrow" is helpful? Do they think it will placate us? Do they think we have nothing better to do than go back tomorrow when we have made an effort to get there today? And even if we do manage to get back the next day, chances are we'll be told, "There wasn't any of that in today's delivery" or even " We haven't had a chance to unpack today's delivery yet". With, of course, the compulsory addition of, "Try again tomorrow".
Or of course, I could try someone else tomorrow. And next week. And forever.
I AM HERE TODAY, DINGBATS. YOU ARE HERE EVERY DAY BECAUSE YOU WORK HERE. I AM HERE BECAUSE I AM NOT WORKING TODAY AT EARNING THE MONEY TO BUY THE STUFF THAT KEEPS YOU IN A JOB, AND YOUR EMPLOYER IN BUSINESS.
Anyone else have a "favourite" phrase that gets unthinkingly repeated by the unhelpful trying to help?
Do they really think that saying, "We should be getting some in tomorrow" is helpful? Do they think it will placate us? Do they think we have nothing better to do than go back tomorrow when we have made an effort to get there today? And even if we do manage to get back the next day, chances are we'll be told, "There wasn't any of that in today's delivery" or even " We haven't had a chance to unpack today's delivery yet". With, of course, the compulsory addition of, "Try again tomorrow".
Or of course, I could try someone else tomorrow. And next week. And forever.
I AM HERE TODAY, DINGBATS. YOU ARE HERE EVERY DAY BECAUSE YOU WORK HERE. I AM HERE BECAUSE I AM NOT WORKING TODAY AT EARNING THE MONEY TO BUY THE STUFF THAT KEEPS YOU IN A JOB, AND YOUR EMPLOYER IN BUSINESS.
Anyone else have a "favourite" phrase that gets unthinkingly repeated by the unhelpful trying to help?
To The Boy In The Blue Knit Cap - Day 3
Post 4000!!!
First Bobby invades the guy's space, then he looks as if he's about to kiss him.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Post 3999 - The Missing Link
The new Criminal Minds spinoff, Suspect Behaviour, has brought Janeane Garofalo to the small screen every week.
Now the Mother Ship is returning with Jeanne Tripplehorn. Any suggestions for who's missing?
Now the Mother Ship is returning with Jeanne Tripplehorn. Any suggestions for who's missing?
Monday, January 21, 2013
To The Boy In The Blue Knit Cap - Day 1
Bobby looks incredulous already, and the case has barely started.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Return of Goren and Eames
But sadly not OUR Goren and Eames.
The BBC has a new crime drama set in the1880s called Ripper Street, and tonight's episode featured characters called Lucy Eames and Deborah Goren.
Coincidence? I think not!
The BBC has a new crime drama set in the1880s called Ripper Street, and tonight's episode featured characters called Lucy Eames and Deborah Goren.
Coincidence? I think not!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Another One Bites The Dust
The other day I saw an obituary for the actor Jon Finch. It was the first I'd heard that he'd died.
He may not be a name that you are immediately familiar with, but anyone who studied Macbeth at school or college will probably have seen Polanski's film, in which Finch starred as the murderous king.
He first invaded my teenage conscious when he starred in a Sci-Fi TV show, in which the aliens had deformed little fingers. He was a friendly invader. We all had a crush on him, especially my friend Marian, who had deformed little fingers...
In those wonderful days free from celebrity secrecy and stalking, when I looked him up in the phone book - I found him. And I phoned him. I have no idea what we talked about, but it was laid back and friendly.
From his obit I learned that he tended to choose one plum part a year to maintain his lifestyle, refusing all others. He apparently turned down the role of James Bond, which was then offered to Roger Moore. Finch would have been a much younger and dishier 007. He also turned down The Three Musketeers and John Hurt's role in Alien. But he did accept a part in Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy.
Thus passed my first brush with celebrity, alone in his flat and almost forgotten. Sad.
He may not be a name that you are immediately familiar with, but anyone who studied Macbeth at school or college will probably have seen Polanski's film, in which Finch starred as the murderous king.
He first invaded my teenage conscious when he starred in a Sci-Fi TV show, in which the aliens had deformed little fingers. He was a friendly invader. We all had a crush on him, especially my friend Marian, who had deformed little fingers...
In those wonderful days free from celebrity secrecy and stalking, when I looked him up in the phone book - I found him. And I phoned him. I have no idea what we talked about, but it was laid back and friendly.
From his obit I learned that he tended to choose one plum part a year to maintain his lifestyle, refusing all others. He apparently turned down the role of James Bond, which was then offered to Roger Moore. Finch would have been a much younger and dishier 007. He also turned down The Three Musketeers and John Hurt's role in Alien. But he did accept a part in Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy.
Thus passed my first brush with celebrity, alone in his flat and almost forgotten. Sad.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The Trouble With Helicopters
Can anyone see the rationale of letting helicopters fly over the centre of a huge metropolis?
Well, I think that after today the powers-that-be might rethink that one.
At 8am, in the middle of the rush hour, a helicopter failed to see a tall crane attached to a tall building-in-progress because of mist, hit it, demolishing the arm, and crashing nearby in a busy street surrounded by railway lines, an underground station, a massive bus station and the MI5 building (that's the secret service). Miraculously only the pilot and one passer-by were killed. And for the first time ever, the crane driver was late for work, and was not in the cabin that was sliced in two.
I found a compilation video to give a flavour of the mayhem.
Well, I think that after today the powers-that-be might rethink that one.
At 8am, in the middle of the rush hour, a helicopter failed to see a tall crane attached to a tall building-in-progress because of mist, hit it, demolishing the arm, and crashing nearby in a busy street surrounded by railway lines, an underground station, a massive bus station and the MI5 building (that's the secret service). Miraculously only the pilot and one passer-by were killed. And for the first time ever, the crane driver was late for work, and was not in the cabin that was sliced in two.
I found a compilation video to give a flavour of the mayhem.
Icarus - Day 8
Bobby is so naive about the psychiatric process - I mean, didn't he teach us about transference?
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
A Fond Farewell
On a bleak day to match the occasion, wet and bitterly cold, today we laid Alex to rest.
His mother had arranged a humanist ceremony, with songs to rock to - she had us bopping in the aisles, "shakin' that ass", as some of Alex's favourite songs were played, finishing up with a tear-jerking "You'll Never Walk Alone", the anthem of Alex's beloved Liverpool Football Club. Even the dog was there.
Afterwards there was a party at the hall where Alex's 18th birthday party was held in 2011.
Tears and smiles mingled as we remembered the boy who affected so many lives without ever moving from his wheelchair.
It was a privilege to be a part of his life.
His mother had arranged a humanist ceremony, with songs to rock to - she had us bopping in the aisles, "shakin' that ass", as some of Alex's favourite songs were played, finishing up with a tear-jerking "You'll Never Walk Alone", the anthem of Alex's beloved Liverpool Football Club. Even the dog was there.
Afterwards there was a party at the hall where Alex's 18th birthday party was held in 2011.
Tears and smiles mingled as we remembered the boy who affected so many lives without ever moving from his wheelchair.
It was a privilege to be a part of his life.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Goodbye Amber
During the night my little calico cat Amber died.
In her latter days, she was quite sweet. When she was younger, not so much.
When I saw her in the pet shop, she was asleep. I'd always wanted a tortoiseshell with quirky markings, and there she was, a black chin making her face look as if it was smiling, a lightning flash across her nose. I brought her and little silver tabby Jaspa home in May 1994. I estimated their birthdays as 21st and 28th March.
The first charming thing Amber did was carry her toys round and drop them in things - the bin, my school bag... But as she grew, she turned into the typical grumpy, naughty tortie. As my cat family grew, she continued to assert herself as boss. Trying to get past her elicited a swear and a swipe. The others were in fear of her. Even as her physical strength waned, they would still hesitate to pass her, eventually making a dash for it.
When she developed thyroid problems a few years ago, she didn't respond well to the medication (largely because I had a hell of a time getting it down her) and eventually she had to have a thyroidectomy.
Then she developed kidney problems, which is apparently not uncommon with thyroid sufferers. Every six weeks she had to have an injection. Her weight stayed fairly constant, sometimes even increasing a little, which was encouraging.
But over the last couple of days she deteriorated rapidly. She started to go out into the garden more than usual, even venturing out in the dark on Thursday night. I had to coax her in for fear the foxes would see her as easy prey. Maybe she was looking for a place to die.
Yesterday she failed to browse through everyone else's food bowls, and barely licked the special extra dishes I gave her. She was very wobbly on her feet, but she still came all the way upstairs to see me. I gave her an extra special cuddle. I thought I'd take her to the vet's on Tuesday. Then I amended that to Monday. By bedtime I'd decided to take her this morning. But she lost her fight for life during the night.
Bizarrely, I was twice woken by the ringing of mystery bells. I sort of felt I knew what I was going to find when I went down to the kitchen this morning, which is where the cats sleep.
So she did go to the vet's this morning, but only to be sent away for cremation.
Bye bye dear girl. I wish you could have made it to 19.
In her latter days, she was quite sweet. When she was younger, not so much.
When I saw her in the pet shop, she was asleep. I'd always wanted a tortoiseshell with quirky markings, and there she was, a black chin making her face look as if it was smiling, a lightning flash across her nose. I brought her and little silver tabby Jaspa home in May 1994. I estimated their birthdays as 21st and 28th March.
The first charming thing Amber did was carry her toys round and drop them in things - the bin, my school bag... But as she grew, she turned into the typical grumpy, naughty tortie. As my cat family grew, she continued to assert herself as boss. Trying to get past her elicited a swear and a swipe. The others were in fear of her. Even as her physical strength waned, they would still hesitate to pass her, eventually making a dash for it.
When she developed thyroid problems a few years ago, she didn't respond well to the medication (largely because I had a hell of a time getting it down her) and eventually she had to have a thyroidectomy.
Then she developed kidney problems, which is apparently not uncommon with thyroid sufferers. Every six weeks she had to have an injection. Her weight stayed fairly constant, sometimes even increasing a little, which was encouraging.
But over the last couple of days she deteriorated rapidly. She started to go out into the garden more than usual, even venturing out in the dark on Thursday night. I had to coax her in for fear the foxes would see her as easy prey. Maybe she was looking for a place to die.
Yesterday she failed to browse through everyone else's food bowls, and barely licked the special extra dishes I gave her. She was very wobbly on her feet, but she still came all the way upstairs to see me. I gave her an extra special cuddle. I thought I'd take her to the vet's on Tuesday. Then I amended that to Monday. By bedtime I'd decided to take her this morning. But she lost her fight for life during the night.
Bizarrely, I was twice woken by the ringing of mystery bells. I sort of felt I knew what I was going to find when I went down to the kitchen this morning, which is where the cats sleep.
So she did go to the vet's this morning, but only to be sent away for cremation.
Bye bye dear girl. I wish you could have made it to 19.
Amber, 28th March 1994 - 12th January 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Do You Trust This Man?
Apparently research has shown that, when shown a series of photographs, people find blue-eyed men with thin faces untrustworthy.
And the converse was also true. Men with brown eyes and broader faces were considered trustworthy.
I can relate to that.
Apparently so could Liza.
And the converse was also true. Men with brown eyes and broader faces were considered trustworthy.
I can relate to that.
Apparently so could Liza.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Astronomers, Astro-physicists and Rock Stars
We Brits are a funny bunch.
Not only do our rock stars carry on performing into their dotage. Some actually sashay into alternative high-flying roles.
Take Professor Brian Cox. He started life with a group call D-Ream, which had a number 1 hit in the 1990s with "Things Can Only Get Better".
Now he presents popular scientific TV programmes about the Solar System and the universe. Currently he's hosting Stargazing Live on TV - watched by staff at NASA!
Then there's Dr Brian May. Yes, that one. The one who was with Queen. He left his academic studies to play with that band, but he returned to university in middle age and is now a respected astro-physicist. He too has appeared on the above programme.
I have to take issue with Dr May, nowever. He insists it's possible to stargaze in London.
Yes, maybe if like you one is rich enough to have a proper observatory in the roof or the garden. But trust me, on a bog standard telescope or binoculars standing in the front or back garden, you get to see the moon, the odd glimpse of Venus or Jupiter, and the lights of a distant plane.
That's if there's ever a break in the clouds...
Take Professor Brian Cox. He started life with a group call D-Ream, which had a number 1 hit in the 1990s with "Things Can Only Get Better".
Now he presents popular scientific TV programmes about the Solar System and the universe. Currently he's hosting Stargazing Live on TV - watched by staff at NASA!
Then there's Dr Brian May. Yes, that one. The one who was with Queen. He left his academic studies to play with that band, but he returned to university in middle age and is now a respected astro-physicist. He too has appeared on the above programme.
I have to take issue with Dr May, nowever. He insists it's possible to stargaze in London.
Yes, maybe if like you one is rich enough to have a proper observatory in the roof or the garden. But trust me, on a bog standard telescope or binoculars standing in the front or back garden, you get to see the moon, the odd glimpse of Venus or Jupiter, and the lights of a distant plane.
That's if there's ever a break in the clouds...
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Monday, January 07, 2013
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