Random acts of Culture
Nov. 5th, 2010 06:20 pmThings are, of course, going badly downhill in Culture (in the UK) at the moment.
I keep comparing it to the late 1940s. But perhaps not so bright and cheerful.
I expect the Good Things we will look back on are comparable to Dior's New Look (i.e. creative, innovative, mostly overseas and not for the likes of us)
Here are a couple of good things:
http://followanarchive.blogspot.com/
and
Random acts of Culture
I keep comparing it to the late 1940s. But perhaps not so bright and cheerful.
I expect the Good Things we will look back on are comparable to Dior's New Look (i.e. creative, innovative, mostly overseas and not for the likes of us)
Here are a couple of good things:
http://followanarchive.blogspot.com/
and
Random acts of Culture
Over the edge?
Apr. 9th, 2010 09:35 pmLivejournal seems to have gone boots-up, so perhaps this is a good time to move a bit more over here?
Realise I have no idea who from there, is here. Must sort.
Looks at Sally_Maria, and wonders if there is a dreamwidth equivalent of lj hook?
Realise I have no idea who from there, is here. Must sort.
Looks at Sally_Maria, and wonders if there is a dreamwidth equivalent of lj hook?
On waiting for heros
Feb. 23rd, 2008 09:07 pmYesterday I was introduced to a line of poetry which Americans probably meet in school. Which I think is too young. It is a line for the middle-aged. Those who are old enough to know what it means, but still young enough to act.
I was VERY annoyed in googling it to find that it has been used by a US presidential candidate.
The line: we are the ones we have been waiting for (the original is here, should you want to read it).
For the author of the poem, and probably for the politician, it is clear who the 'we' is. For me, I'm not so sure.
I was VERY annoyed in googling it to find that it has been used by a US presidential candidate.
The line: we are the ones we have been waiting for (the original is here, should you want to read it).
For the author of the poem, and probably for the politician, it is clear who the 'we' is. For me, I'm not so sure.
The alphabet meme
Feb. 19th, 2008 09:35 pmThis is a meme which I first saw from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
wellinghall , but succumbed to with the_marquis . Essentialy, one posts ten things that makes one happy (pictures and/or words). Comments and requests for explanations are welcome, but if you post, I will give you a letter, and you must take the meme on. I was given the choice of F or P. No contest!
1. / Friends and Fellowship
2/ Faros
3/ Fleurie (or maybe Fentiman's ginger beer).
4/ Fame
5/ Fellowship of the Ring (and Fantasy in General)
6/ Flikr
7) Paulo Friere
8/ Forests or Fir trees ... but oddly enough, not Forestry Commission plantations of fir
9/ Firado
(narrowly beat Flanders and both trump Firenze. And Farnham is way behind)
10 / Flying
11/ Freaks
wellinghall , but succumbed to with the_marquis . Essentialy, one posts ten things that makes one happy (pictures and/or words). Comments and requests for explanations are welcome, but if you post, I will give you a letter, and you must take the meme on. I was given the choice of F or P. No contest!1. / Friends and Fellowship
2/ Faros
3/ Fleurie (or maybe Fentiman's ginger beer).
4/ Fame
5/ Fellowship of the Ring (and Fantasy in General)
6/ Flikr
7) Paulo Friere
8/ Forests or Fir trees ... but oddly enough, not Forestry Commission plantations of fir
9/ Firado
(narrowly beat Flanders and both trump Firenze. And Farnham is way behind)10 / Flying
11/ Freaks
Details for Estelcon are up - -- Google translates "To approve the nomination by the Smial of Hammo for organizing the Estelcón 2008, to be held from 16 to 19 October in Santa Marta de Tormes (Salamanca)."
If![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
meglorien could add it to the ts web page, that would be great.
Anyone know if Salamanca to Gibralta is a totally daft journey? We are determined to start seeing the sun set on the British Empire, and need to pick off an easy one this year - which means Cyprus or Gib.
If
meglorien could add it to the ts web page, that would be great.Anyone know if Salamanca to Gibralta is a totally daft journey? We are determined to start seeing the sun set on the British Empire, and need to pick off an easy one this year - which means Cyprus or Gib.
Dear All,
York housewarming will be 1st March (arrivals/departures on 29th Feb and 2nd March fine: we have a fair amount of floor space, bedding, etc. etc.
Demon got back to us promptly, but we were stimied as we couldn't work out that what we needed to do was put the new password into the router. And then trying to find out how to do this ...
Solution: buy new router! (Not as wasteful as it sounds, as old router is now in the fourth box of stuff heading for York on Sunday, and we have now found the old disc).
New router is in, and working just fine - or rather, I am typing this on ExMemSec's laptop, because my laptop is having severe switching on issues (I have got only so far withalitalf's scheme for making the computer recognise that it has a power lead).
We are getting Zen in York.
Best wishes,
Pat
York housewarming will be 1st March (arrivals/departures on 29th Feb and 2nd March fine: we have a fair amount of floor space, bedding, etc. etc.
Demon got back to us promptly, but we were stimied as we couldn't work out that what we needed to do was put the new password into the router. And then trying to find out how to do this ...
Solution: buy new router! (Not as wasteful as it sounds, as old router is now in the fourth box of stuff heading for York on Sunday, and we have now found the old disc).
New router is in, and working just fine - or rather, I am typing this on ExMemSec's laptop, because my laptop is having severe switching on issues (I have got only so far with
alitalf's scheme for making the computer recognise that it has a power lead).We are getting Zen in York.
Best wishes,
Pat
I'm in a New York State of mind (not)
Jan. 24th, 2008 10:42 pmThanks to rustica for this one!
You're Virginia!
Exmemsec is Alaska!
rustica for this one!You're Virginia!
Part of the old school, you like both historical sites and crazy
amusement parks. You like saying the word Commonwealth but couldn't really explain the
concept or how it applies to your life. You like five-sided shapes, five-cent pieces,
and possibly anything else having to do with the number five. Every now and then, you
discard chaff from yourself that you just don't feel you need. And since you've been
wondering... yes, there is a Santa Claus.
Take the State Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
Exmemsec is Alaska!
You're big, bulky, and extremely wild. At the same time, you're rather
cold and standoffish, even a loner of sorts. Taming you may be one of the last great
quests of the people who do manage to find you or even seek you out. So many of them
just want to plunder you for what you have of value, but there are a few, the ones
who will stick with you, that truly value your rugged remoteness. As long as no one
is spilling stuff on you, you are truly beautiful.
Take the State Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
Derrida should try this
Jan. 24th, 2008 09:35 pmA meme from megamole
megamoleYour Score: Linear B
You scored
You are Linear B. Even those who can follow you think you're all Greek to them. Which, after all, is true - Linear B being the first known text for written Greek. To most people, you're incomprehensible. But what do you care? You're tough, hard, long-enduring and have greater nobility than most. Naturally, you don't admit to borrowing extensively from your brother Linear A.
| Link: The Which Ancient Language Are You Test written by imipak on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test View My Profile(imipak) |
Well, we're not coming back
Jan. 14th, 2008 10:18 pmIn around an hour and 40 mins, BT may take away broadband. I may try and get back online in the morning, but it depends how guilty I feel about the state of the kitchen (if I feel really, really guilty, I will be mopping and cleaning it one more time.
We get a phone line on Wednesday. Broadband will be 'sometime' thereafter..... We may be gone some time.
That van took the last of the library:
All we've got is a bed, and the Best Books, two lap tops, a roll of loo paper, the makings for coffee, and half a back of baklawa. Not the best breakfast for diabetics, but it's what we've got left in the house.
We get a phone line on Wednesday. Broadband will be 'sometime' thereafter..... We may be gone some time.
That van took the last of the library:
All we've got is a bed, and the Best Books, two lap tops, a roll of loo paper, the makings for coffee, and half a back of baklawa. Not the best breakfast for diabetics, but it's what we've got left in the house.
Torchwood Meme
Jan. 12th, 2008 05:35 pmtlanti (who, of course, is Jack) can't remember where she found this Torchwood memeMy result
You are Gwen
You think with your heart. It's maybe not the most effective way of leading, but your sensitivity and compassion are strengths when it comes to dealing with people. However, "heart" gets a bad rap these days; ruthlessness and ambition are more prized qualities. But you get the job done, and you're usually able to live with yourself the next day. Now, about that little affair with Owen...
Moving on ...
Jan. 11th, 2008 07:57 pm... while I'm trying to think of a word rather like 'integer' which means 'an incorruptable person' (needed for a reply to ladyofastolat's post on fantasy, let me announce:
WE ARE MOVING!!!!!
If you get a card, please don't say 'oh, but you can't count': some of them are far away!! Ifalex_holden doesn't get a card by the end of next week, could he email me?
The house is half-empty (we sit on dining chairs, laptops on laps, and have no fridge or dishwasher (gone to York) so we are planning on lots of 'farewell meals' at the Nepalese, the pub, etc. over the next few nights. Monday is pack-up of the Woking stuff, and we move in on Tuesday. I have to work (part of) both days, which is not impressing ExmemSec at all. He has gone very grey looking.
The grey colour may also come from the fact that the York property owners are hassling us, but cannot provide proof of planning permission, or building regs. sign off on the three extensions on the property.... ExMemSec and I have different attitudes to this (and to the hassles with buying the Woking property) based upon the fact that I want to be in Woking last month, and he wants to be in York last month, but I don't care if we don't get to York until after Easter, while he doesn't care if we don't get to Woking until after Easter.
The York pack up happened at very short notice on Wednesday (on Tuesday morning, we thought it would be today). So the cats suffered the full force - a day shut in a room, followed by Everything has Changed. Broggy has carefully pointed out to me that the wardrobe he liked sitting on top of is GONE. Replaced by a cardboard box of interesting nature, but Not the Same Thing. The poor dears are off to the cat prison tomorrow, so that they won't be any more unsettled. It did not help that Broggy managed to loose his collar two weeks ago, and the replacement arrived yesterday (reflective yellow, with the words "VET DIET DO NOT FEED" on it). He hates collars, and now has one with a jingly bell to boot. I am worried that he'll escape cattery or from new house, so he has to put up with it.
Anyway, what is that word?
ladyofastolat's post on fantasy, let me announce:WE ARE MOVING!!!!!
If you get a card, please don't say 'oh, but you can't count': some of them are far away!! If
alex_holden doesn't get a card by the end of next week, could he email me? The house is half-empty (we sit on dining chairs, laptops on laps, and have no fridge or dishwasher (gone to York) so we are planning on lots of 'farewell meals' at the Nepalese, the pub, etc. over the next few nights. Monday is pack-up of the Woking stuff, and we move in on Tuesday. I have to work (part of) both days, which is not impressing ExmemSec at all. He has gone very grey looking.
The grey colour may also come from the fact that the York property owners are hassling us, but cannot provide proof of planning permission, or building regs. sign off on the three extensions on the property.... ExMemSec and I have different attitudes to this (and to the hassles with buying the Woking property) based upon the fact that I want to be in Woking last month, and he wants to be in York last month, but I don't care if we don't get to York until after Easter, while he doesn't care if we don't get to Woking until after Easter.
The York pack up happened at very short notice on Wednesday (on Tuesday morning, we thought it would be today). So the cats suffered the full force - a day shut in a room, followed by Everything has Changed. Broggy has carefully pointed out to me that the wardrobe he liked sitting on top of is GONE. Replaced by a cardboard box of interesting nature, but Not the Same Thing. The poor dears are off to the cat prison tomorrow, so that they won't be any more unsettled. It did not help that Broggy managed to loose his collar two weeks ago, and the replacement arrived yesterday (reflective yellow, with the words "VET DIET DO NOT FEED" on it). He hates collars, and now has one with a jingly bell to boot. I am worried that he'll escape cattery or from new house, so he has to put up with it.
Anyway, what is that word?
Not quite the appeal I was expecting
Jan. 6th, 2008 04:54 pmI just opened an appeal letter from one of the charities I support. They were asking for funds for their work in Kenya.
Fair enough, you might think (if you have been looking on with horror at the tv news these last few days).
But no, this appeal is one that they've been running for a few months now, about supporting the Kenyan informal milk trade to give it a representational voice with the Kenyan Dairy Board..
So donation sent off, wishing that the Dairy Policy had remained the most serious issue in Kenya.
Fair enough, you might think (if you have been looking on with horror at the tv news these last few days).
But no, this appeal is one that they've been running for a few months now, about supporting the Kenyan informal milk trade to give it a representational voice with the Kenyan Dairy Board..
So donation sent off, wishing that the Dairy Policy had remained the most serious issue in Kenya.
Get Down of that Horse!
Jan. 3rd, 2008 10:51 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtjdduP1hBw
You win the internets if you can spot the language! (before the clue at the end / looking at comments.
You win the internets if you can spot the language! (before the clue at the end / looking at comments.
The D&D meme
Dec. 27th, 2007 08:14 amFrom alitalf among others.
And like Allitalf, it alledges that I am a Neutral Good Human Wizard (6th Level). I think that Alitalf is much more of a Wizard than I am !
Ability Scores:
Strength-9
Dexterity-9
Constitution-10
Intelligence-16
Wisdom-11
Charisma-17
Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.
Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.
Class:
Wizards are arcane spellcasters who depend on intensive study to create their magic. To wizards, magic is not a talent but a difficult, rewarding art. When they are prepared for battle, wizards can use their spells to devastating effect. When caught by surprise, they are vulnerable. The wizard's strength is her spells, everything else is secondary. She learns new spells as she experiments and grows in experience, and she can also learn them from other wizards. In addition, over time a wizard learns to manipulate her spells so they go farther, work better, or are improved in some other way. A wizard can call a familiar- a small, magical, animal companion that serves her. With a high Intelligence, wizards are capable of casting very high levels of spells.
Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)
alitalf among others.And like Allitalf, it alledges that I am a Neutral Good Human Wizard (6th Level). I think that Alitalf is much more of a Wizard than I am !
Ability Scores:
Strength-9
Dexterity-9
Constitution-10
Intelligence-16
Wisdom-11
Charisma-17
Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.
Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.
Class:
Wizards are arcane spellcasters who depend on intensive study to create their magic. To wizards, magic is not a talent but a difficult, rewarding art. When they are prepared for battle, wizards can use their spells to devastating effect. When caught by surprise, they are vulnerable. The wizard's strength is her spells, everything else is secondary. She learns new spells as she experiments and grows in experience, and she can also learn them from other wizards. In addition, over time a wizard learns to manipulate her spells so they go farther, work better, or are improved in some other way. A wizard can call a familiar- a small, magical, animal companion that serves her. With a high Intelligence, wizards are capable of casting very high levels of spells.
Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)
Well, I'l be Dr Who'd
Dec. 25th, 2007 08:03 pmOk, my viewing was disrupted by taking the goose out to rest., carving the goose, serving the goose, and eating the goose. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. I want to read what altariel says about it ... and more importantly, see it again while sober.
Asdeadbrowalking members would observe, if you are Black, you die. And I observe: if you are disabled, you die. Or it makes you evil. Or evil (I mean, what else can you do if you are in a society where 'cyborgs are despised'), and you will die. But despite such unthinking, there was much that was marvellous: the use of tropes from pantomime and cliches from science fiction were spot on.
I am really sorry that Astrid seems to be ruled out for next year's Christmas special (for one wonderful moment I deluded myself with the thought she could be the next companion (hastily squashed by the thought 'no she can't: she's a pop star, and has got her own line of knickers').
altariel says about it ... and more importantly, see it again while sober. As
deadbrowalking members would observe, if you are Black, you die. And I observe: if you are disabled, you die. Or it makes you evil. Or evil (I mean, what else can you do if you are in a society where 'cyborgs are despised'), and you will die. But despite such unthinking, there was much that was marvellous: the use of tropes from pantomime and cliches from science fiction were spot on. I am really sorry that Astrid seems to be ruled out for next year's Christmas special (for one wonderful moment I deluded myself with the thought she could be the next companion (hastily squashed by the thought 'no she can't: she's a pop star, and has got her own line of knickers').
Merry Jinglemass!!!
Dec. 25th, 2007 04:01 pmMerry Jinglemass!!!
The usual festivity-trinity of bad stuff has happened, and it's been very mild and not at all inconvenient.
Last night we discovered the packet of five sea bass 'can be separated' 'in useful tray' from Lidl turned out to be easily separated once defrosted. Or from the tray. Result: we have two cooked sea bass in the fridge which I wasn't expecting to defrost/eat until the new year. The menu planning bent I'm on is taking a bit of a knock: sea bass will have to replace meatballs tomorrow. The fish were delicious - and Broggy is One Happy Cat about the heads tails and and so forth.
The corkscrew broke last night. The corkscrew. Fortunately, we have been given three bottles of cider, a bottle of wine with a screw cap, and ExMemSec has (due to the Secret Santa manager not recalling what she'd told who) two bottles of Plymouth Gin. Also we have a bottle of sherry (technically now half a bottle of sherry). And four bottles of sparkling South African wine. We'll manage somehow ....
Third misadventure: ExMemSec's new memory stick got washed and dried (economy low temp). Fortunately that still works.
All very minor things to go wrong! And now we have the most gorgeous sunset to look at.:
Time to get that goose a-broiling ....
The usual festivity-trinity of bad stuff has happened, and it's been very mild and not at all inconvenient.
Last night we discovered the packet of five sea bass 'can be separated' 'in useful tray' from Lidl turned out to be easily separated once defrosted. Or from the tray. Result: we have two cooked sea bass in the fridge which I wasn't expecting to defrost/eat until the new year. The menu planning bent I'm on is taking a bit of a knock: sea bass will have to replace meatballs tomorrow. The fish were delicious - and Broggy is One Happy Cat about the heads tails and and so forth.
The corkscrew broke last night. The corkscrew. Fortunately, we have been given three bottles of cider, a bottle of wine with a screw cap, and ExMemSec has (due to the Secret Santa manager not recalling what she'd told who) two bottles of Plymouth Gin. Also we have a bottle of sherry (technically now half a bottle of sherry). And four bottles of sparkling South African wine. We'll manage somehow ....
Third misadventure: ExMemSec's new memory stick got washed and dried (economy low temp). Fortunately that still works.
All very minor things to go wrong! And now we have the most gorgeous sunset to look at.:
Time to get that goose a-broiling ....
An Entry for Alex
Dec. 24th, 2007 07:32 amHi Alex,
I have failed to send you an email .... and now it is Too Late. Many apologies.
I will (in the way of Anne Shirley) <i>imagine</i> that you have sent me a beautiful card.
When (very soon, oh, let it be very soon) we are Moved, and I am no longer in the position where I re-read the entire history Anne of Green Gables (except Anne's House of Dreams, which I don't think I ever had) because Everything Else is in Boxes, I will let everyone know where we are going.
Thumbs firmly held for 2nd January for exchange ....
And that someone has bought me a book for Christmas. I have now finished Anne of Ingleside, and am trying to make my last new book, _Sold Down the River_ last all day.
I have failed to send you an email .... and now it is Too Late. Many apologies.
I will (in the way of Anne Shirley) <i>imagine</i> that you have sent me a beautiful card.
When (very soon, oh, let it be very soon) we are Moved, and I am no longer in the position where I re-read the entire history Anne of Green Gables (except Anne's House of Dreams, which I don't think I ever had) because Everything Else is in Boxes, I will let everyone know where we are going.
Thumbs firmly held for 2nd January for exchange ....
And that someone has bought me a book for Christmas. I have now finished Anne of Ingleside, and am trying to make my last new book, _Sold Down the River_ last all day.
On being Settled (Not)
Dec. 20th, 2007 10:05 pmTo answer lynn_maudlin's question: no, we haven't moved yet. So christmas cards to the usual address are arriving just fine. We will have a re-direct put on when we do move, so don't worry.
It has all gone Very Slow. And the Yorkshire Building Society is being awful.
More positively, my cold has remained my cold, and not turned into ExMemSec's cold, which had him prostrate for 2 days.
And I have had some very positive reactions to my paper at the conference, which is a Very Positive thing, both for me personally, and for my work.
For those of you who like looking at pictures of TS events .... I have now made a set on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8268197@N02/sets/72157603425606449/ If I've got a picture of you up there that you want me to make 'family' only or 'private', please let me know (if you want to be 'family', let me know).
lynn_maudlin's question: no, we haven't moved yet. So christmas cards to the usual address are arriving just fine. We will have a re-direct put on when we do move, so don't worry.It has all gone Very Slow. And the Yorkshire Building Society is being awful.
More positively, my cold has remained my cold, and not turned into ExMemSec's cold, which had him prostrate for 2 days.
And I have had some very positive reactions to my paper at the conference, which is a Very Positive thing, both for me personally, and for my work.
For those of you who like looking at pictures of TS events .... I have now made a set on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8268197@N02/sets/72157603425606449/ If I've got a picture of you up there that you want me to make 'family' only or 'private', please let me know (if you want to be 'family', let me know).
