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Saturday, July 30, 2005

photographing fowl

Nabakov sent me this link to the Historic Poultry Photos of Arthur Rice ...

During the twentieth century there were many people who took photographs of poultry and waterfowl. However, one man perfected the art more successfully than anyone else, that man was Arthur Rice....


In those supposedly "Bad old days" of the 1930s, you sent your bird which was to be photographed by him, on the railway direct to Arthur's home... On arrival Arthur would feed the bird and get it settled down ready to be photographed to his satisfaction. It would then be replaced into its wicker hamper and returned to its owner with the invoice following in the twice-daily delivered post


The Orpington Montage
 

Meanwhile an Australian formal portrait of the Orpington.


while woman feeding chickens is a recurring domestic motif

Early fowl studies from the mid nineteenth century: the Mary Dillwyn Album at the National Library of Wales
(see numbers: 24 25 34 36 38)

Mary Dillwyn used a small camera which, since it only needed short exposures, provided her with the opportunity of taking more spontaneous photographs, often reflecting the warmth of Victorian family life. It also allowed her to photograph chickens and other animals which were unlikely to stay still for more than a fleeting moment.source





Comments: photographing fowl

After the chores are done, maybe a little fishing.
http://dirtybeloved.blogspot.com/2004/08/deep-sea-bass-caught-at-mouth-of-rio.html
Or maybe not:
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5830/22/1600/boynton%20A.jpg
Posted by Juke Moran at July 31, 2005 04:09 PM

http://mview.museum.vic.gov.au/paimages/mm/006/006076.htm

btw - I checked out the chickens on your 2nd link #16.
(Can't beat the fireplace made out of grapefruit though)
Posted by boynton at July 31, 2005 09:27 PM

and more tangents at Ramage.

and bounty at dirty beloved
http://dirtybeloved.blogspot.com/2005/07/inexhaustible-bounty-of-poultry.html
Posted by boynton at August 1, 2005 03:48 PM

Friday, July 29, 2005

the bom

Friday weather blogging:

Got caught by the weather today. Where was the acquired skepticism of a seasoned Melburnian when I believed the Bureau of Metereology's forecast of wind and showers? Today the Bom is not da bomb.


Comments: the bom

I was lucky and was emoh ruo for some time. Great day to do washing. It's all back inside and dry. So there you go.
Posted by Francis Xavier Holden at July 29, 2005 07:04 PM

Missed the window of sunshine.

But then again I'm becoming quite attached to the stable of clothes-horses residing in the lounge. Last count was 3 - only one unstable.
Posted by boynton at July 29, 2005 08:52 PM

no - the washing secret is that its a good wind that drys not sunshine. A nice wind will out dry sunshine any day. Take my word for it missus.

The secret with the clothes horse is not to put the tatty underwear on top in full view in case of visitors.
Posted by Francis Xavier Holden at July 29, 2005 11:14 PM

Yes - but the wind had some shine in it today instead of July chill? (I feel very defensive about my level of knowledge of secret Hills Hoist business)

Not on top indeed. Alwyas place underwear under where the hapless vistor won't happen to casually glance at the pants. Unless of course the vistor's underwhelming presence wears thin.
Posted by boynton at July 29, 2005 11:24 PM

I am astounded by these exchanges! (since I am very aware of the intelligence of these 2 people).

Sheep station on the Coorong 1962: Aunty Jean decreed all underwear on clothesline had to be hung inside pillowslips so the shearers and farmhands could not see it.
Posted by Brownie at August 3, 2005 06:40 PM

I'm not covering the legs of the piano quite yet, Brownie. ;)
Perhaps it has more to do with the "state" of the underpants than the underpants themselves, which can indeed be a thing of joy and beauty?
Posted by boynton at August 3, 2005 06:56 PM

Thursday, July 28, 2005

knack of rhyming

Prejudice apart, the game of push-pin is of equal value with the arts and sciences of music and poetry. If the game of push-pin furnish more pleasure, it is more valuable than either. Everybody can play at push-pin: poetry and music are relished only by a few. The game of push-pin is always innocent: it were well could the same be always asserted of poetry.
"The Rationale of Reward" by Jeremy Bentham

see: WTF is pushpin?
 

After the merits of Push Pin are dismissed in Strutt (see previous post), the superior game of Crambo is discussed.
Get the Maids to Crambo in an Evening, and learn the knack of Rhiming.

Crambo: rap's "distant cousin"

pastimes

Sports and Pastimes of the People of England by Joseph Strutt [2nd ed., 1903]
via Plep

Snap-dragon. This sport is seldom exhibited but in winter, and chiefly at Christmas-time; it is simply heating of brandy or some other ardent spirit in a dish with raisins; when the brandy being set on fire, the young folks of both sexes standing round it pluck out the raisins, and eat them as hastily as they can, but rarely without burning their hands, or scalding their mouths.


Push pin is a very silly sport, being nothing more than simply pushing one pin across another.

comic adventures

A variation on Old Mother Hubbard earlier this evening. Vaguely sensed the absence of Jack Russell underfoot, heard soft whining, checked all rooms, small spaces, under beds, paused...followed the intermittent non-electronic bleat through house to kitchen and pantry...

when she got there, the cupboard was shared
and so the poor dog looked rather foolish but seemed otherwise fairly casual really
 

(This is a hazard appartment dwellers should factor in when considering suitable dogs for small spaces. (via Idle type)
No labrador I've known has ever got stuck in a cupboard.)

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

blog depression

What everyone should know About Blog Depression
A Nonist public service pamphlet


via cynical-c


Comments: blog depression

Some useful and interesting advice there.

That said, I'm off to run a little self-test on my current level of biochemical resistance.
Posted by Gummo Trotsky at July 27, 2005 08:32 PM

Jelly beans?

I like the sound of "Content Anxiety" - an oxymoronic compound? (Or maybe something like Affluentia)

Meanwhile I wonder if 'Dimentia" is a word used only in regard to blog depression?
Posted by boynton at July 28, 2005 02:31 PM

I've certainly seen signs of blog mania and bi-polar activity. Come to think of it also blog borderline personality disorder.
Posted by Francis Xavier Holden at July 28, 2005 04:45 PM

Is blog mania exhibited by posting too much?
Or is this going postal?
Posted by boynton at July 28, 2005 05:04 PM

From my observations it seems to be commentors who go postal
Posted by Francis Xavier Holden at July 28, 2005 07:39 PM

In my experience, going postal with comments rarely pays off FX. I think there's a heap of my lost postal comments sitting in the Dead Letter Office at Aussie Post.
Posted by Gummo Trotsky at July 30, 2005 03:27 PM

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

8 letters

Eight Letters In Search of A Word via Diversionz

The aim of this game is to gain points by creating words from the selection of eight letters given to you on-screen


Comments: 8 letters

I thought I did OK to begin with my 1503 points (mainly obtained by searching out every 3 or 4 letter word available) then I looked at the high scores - 28000 and something. Curse those bloody wordsmiths with their wordsmithery.
Posted by Russell Allen at July 27, 2005 02:13 PM

"wordsmiths with their wordsmithery..."

Dim Two Hrs

Modesty Whirr


- Wry Mirth Odes
Posted by boynton at July 28, 2005 02:21 PM

ps

some follow-ups to recent posts...

As an illustration to the ballooning tune*
Indeed it was here,
but possibly this goes with the general musical drift.


A collection of Ads Featuring Croquet


Lawn Bowls QOTD:
"Lawn bowling is going to sweep the country … it’s exactly where tennis and curling were 15 years ago."
Bowls Canada



Comments: ps

Thanks for linking to my page on ads featuring croquet. I've got over 300 more funny croquet items to add to that page! So look out for more!
Posted by spudart at July 28, 2005 12:10 AM

Yours is already a great collection - including the "art/photography" section. I look forward to the new items.
Posted by boynton at July 28, 2005 02:23 PM

Monday, July 25, 2005

no dogs



This No dogs sign seems rather breed specific?
(I used to feel paranoid walking my dog around the standard local version which can look like a black labrador.)

Street signs of Dogs via grow a brain


Comments: no dogs

mmh - where do you walk the mutt?

I'm getting regular deposits of barkers eggs on my nature strip. Big ones. Right where people step out of the car in the dark and walk in it and tromp it down the passage.

If I ever catch the person with the bloody dog I'll rub his or her nose in it I will.
Posted by Francis Xavier Holden at July 26, 2005 02:01 AM

Not guilty, FXH.

Not local. Not an offender. I *always* pick up after my dogs but know your pain. That canine transgression was committed quite frequently in my inner city street. Here at least you can yell the suburb's name as an expletive, should it ever happen.
Posted by boynton at July 26, 2005 09:52 AM

ashes

Meanwhile I've been watching the distant Cricket which forms a steady wallpaper amid the sky falling in news of the world...

I think I may be alone in this, but my appreciation of the cricket has been severely tested by the sponsor's logo on the playing area.
The green and white cricket aesthetic is blighted by the large red rectangle always on behind the stumps saying everything's for sale and impeding the view.

Alas, soon not even Lawn Bowls will provide nostalgic tonal sanctuary. The strict dress code of that ancient order is increasingly relaxed.


Comments: ashes

nb. Recycled content. I used the same cricket pic and reference to Bowls when I last posted on this vexing topic 2 and a half years ago. But then it was green and Orange - at least the colours were complementary, and the logo was not so close-in to camera. Luxury.
Posted by boynton at July 25, 2005 03:30 PM

Lawn bowls! Is nothing sacred anymore. Surely, this means we're now very deep into ripping up the fabric of society.
Posted by cs at July 25, 2005 03:34 PM

Quite literally.

Must say though I might be tempted to give Barefoot Bowling a go.
Posted by boynton at July 25, 2005 03:37 PM

Yep, that sounds like fun, 'neath the toes and all.
Posted by cs at July 25, 2005 04:37 PM

The link is a South Australain thing...No Vic clubs?
Have a feeling I might have to live in a more "Rock'n'Bowl" suburb to join that Secret Life of Us /Crackerjack trend of 4 years ago already.

Still there's a croquet club down the road...
Posted by boynton at July 25, 2005 07:23 PM

They had the same thing at the rugby union at the weekend. When the camera was close in on the play the grass was black and even though they were supposed to be on the halfway line there was no line drawn.

At least you don't get this rubbish in the gentlemen's game (gentlemen who fight and drink beer) football (meaning soccer).
Posted by Russell Allen at July 25, 2005 09:50 PM

Or Wimbledon?

I did a quick google search on this topic hoping to find Guardian essays on the steady loss of cricketing beauty etc, but oddly not much turned up. Except something about Wimbledon's marketing power (tradition?), the lack of regulations about playing area advertsing and the line b/w sponsor support and intrusion. This latest look is definitely intrusive - breaks up the frame of the game, just as the ads break up the flow of Test cricket.
Posted by boynton at July 25, 2005 10:14 PM

Still there's a croquet club down the road...

Ah, my big-hat-wearing days, filled with women in fine frocks and glorious memories. Nice to begin about 2pm, after a nice lunch, champers still flowing, the Stones blaring across the backyard, and whatever else you may happen to enjoy going down ... my only problem was to confine my temptation to hit another's ball flying over the fence. A good time was invariably had by all, as I only (alas) vaguely recall.
Posted by cs at July 25, 2005 11:13 PM

Champers and croquet would certainly be a nice combo.
It was only ever cordial when we played at home.

Wonder if the younger demographic have moved into the ranks (rinks) of croquet as well as Lawn Bowls on certain free-form barefoot evenings.
Posted by boynton at July 26, 2005 12:32 AM

Now you're talkin' Miss B.

Don't forget choice of enveloping music, as you slip the hoops.


Posted by cs at July 26, 2005 12:48 AM

Hmm... might have to consider a "Top 10 enveloping songs for playing Croquet" post.
(& is there a meme in that?)
Posted by boynton at July 26, 2005 09:55 AM

Possibly though am restricted mainly to stuff by Noel Coward or Handel.
Posted by Russell Allen at July 26, 2005 02:54 PM

Hmmm I was thinking something in the Lounge genre...

But maybe a Handel Coward mashup might work?
Posted by boynton at July 26, 2005 06:45 PM

well when I say Lounge...?
http://members.lycos.co.uk/spaceagepopagogo/sld022.htm

(I used to blog about croquet quite a bit y'know...
http://boynton.blogspot.com/2003_05_11_boynton_archive.html#94248591)
Posted by boynton at July 26, 2005 08:49 PM

a sample here. Does sound like music for croquet actually...
http://www.showandtellmusic.com/mp3s/gallery_e/BreuerHoraStaccato.mp3
Posted by boynton at July 26, 2005 11:17 PM

logoogle

search me


(via bibi's box)


Comments: logogle

l like , l like !
Posted by at July 25, 2005 11:26 PM

Saturday, July 23, 2005

glass stairway

Stairway to Heaven on wine glasses
(via bifurcated rivets and music thing)


Woman Playing the Glass Harmonica


Comments: glass stairway

A wonderful poem on the least likely of themes. Thanks for that, B.
Posted by Dick at July 25, 2005 08:44 AM

Yes, a lovely poem - but may I confess that I just can't bear "Stairway to Heaven".
Posted by cs at July 25, 2005 01:07 PM

Yes - I like those themes least likely poems, Dick.

Do you mean the Glass version, CS? I'm not fond of the song either (despite Rolf Harris) but I actually really liked this sound - sans lyrics. Haunting.


Waiting for someone to perform it - or some part of it - at the next rantwittering.
Posted by boynton at July 25, 2005 01:26 PM

"Balls!"

-- Withnail.
Posted by Tony.T at July 26, 2005 02:41 PM

"in form and moving, how express and admirable"

-- Hair.
Posted by boynton at July 26, 2005 06:38 PM

Friday, July 22, 2005

balloon tune

When I'm floating up in the blue there is nothing I can do
I'm taller than an elephant and twice as powerful too...

Five weeks in a balloon



Comments: balloon tune

"If you are hanging onto a rising balloon you are presented with a difficult decision. Let go before it's too late? Or hang on and keep getting higher? Posing the question, how long can you keep a grip on the rope."

-- Danny, Withnail & I
Posted by Tony.T at July 24, 2005 04:01 PM

"I've been holding on for this long, to let go now would be a waste"

-- Peter Costello, every moment of his waking life
Posted by Russell Allen at July 24, 2005 04:12 PM

Ascension or assumption?
Posted by boynton at July 24, 2005 04:19 PM

Coin toss on that one I reckon.
Posted by Russell Allen at July 24, 2005 06:25 PM

- it was actually a pub Trivia question we had the other night, I hit "Publish" before I read yours Russell - but it works quite well, don't it. Like a game of consequences.
(Could have said Abbott or Costello.)

Meanwhile I'm waiting for Tony to attach a Whitnail quote to Stairway to Heaven and/or Wine Glasses.
Posted by boynton at July 24, 2005 07:17 PM

headlines

Gerry Thomas, inventor of TV dinners, dies - Woman gives birth on flight to New
York - Retired grocery clerk could become earl. *Jump to more headlines ...


seattlepi.nwsource.com/ - 61k - 20 Jul 2005 - Cached - Similar pages



I was googling TV dinners and this collection of headlines leapt out.


Comments: headlines

Retired Grocery Dinner Gives Birth To Earl of New York on TV!
Posted by supermaxwell at July 22, 2005 02:18 PM

Flying TV Dinners could jump...

(Actually - this reminds me, see Leevi)

http://www.leevilehto.net/default.asp?a=8&b=6&c=0&d=0&e=0&id=120&kun=kommentti
Posted by boynton at July 22, 2005 02:30 PM

Thursday, July 21, 2005

couch potato

And to return to the television theme of Monday, this week it's tele-centric at Scrapiteria

grog flog

He drives a succession of classic 50s roadsters even shapelier than his women and his "What kind of man reads Playboy?" pad has one of the first answering machines ever seen on screen – all bakelite console and big tape spools.


Nabakov has posted on Kiss Me Deadly at After Grog

(Wonder if the answer machine was a Peatrophone? Or a later model - there are a couple of pics here if you scroll midway down to Touch Tone Phones and Adapters )


Comments: grog flog

Where are they now? You know. The people who said the AGB couldn't get any better!
Posted by Tony.T at July 21, 2005 02:04 PM

out getting hammered?
(on DVD I mean)

Please leave a message after the Tone...
Posted by boynton at July 21, 2005 02:45 PM

*Beep* Tony T. has left the keys is the trusty yet unhinged hands of Nabokov. Please leave a message and we'll use it as a confession for an unsolved double murder in St Kilda.
Posted by Russell Allen at July 21, 2005 07:26 PM

Or (as found by DB) send a message by Sea:

http://dirtybeloved.blogspot.com/2004/06/twophoto-sam-maynard-art-statement.html
Posted by boynton at July 21, 2005 10:16 PM

"unsolved double murder in St Kilda."

Bandali "Legs" Nabakov strikes de nouveau! His claim that he was cutting room flooring the latest Yahoo Serious fillum with "Baby Face" Barista well into the night has a thousand Cab Savs just doesn't cut the alibi dijon!


"Where are they now? You know. The people who said the AGB couldn't get any better!"

He was taken in the middle of the night to a soccer field in Chile (the application to have this doubting Thomas extradited to the Independent Principality of MCG Fields Forever fell at the first hurdle and had to be inhumanely put down) and was never heard of again (he was indeed refused the time-honoured privilege and cliche of languishing in a jail for years) ... other than as a dissenting, disembodied voice on General Augusto Taylochet's "If you wish to download this Tone, press 3" answering machine.

Ah goody, the semi-trailer has just pulled up ... it's tablet time again! Excellent, there'll be Bellbirds over the White Cliffs of Dover just you wait and see. (I believe they're the cliffs Charlie Cousins fell off.)
Posted by Sedgwick at July 22, 2005 09:53 AM

Excellent work, Gov.

or *10#
last seen taking a cab sav to the G with a Hammer...
Posted by boynton at July 22, 2005 12:27 PM

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

onlookers anon

I found this when searching along the bands theme ...

Onlookers on right ("not guests").

The old Am I an onlooker or a guest? question can get quite existentialist.


Comments: onlookers anon

Existentialistical? Ponder that.
Posted by Tony.T at July 20, 2005 03:09 PM

Indeed I would ponder so if it rhymed.
I would even use it if rhythmical.
As it is I thought the "-ist" was wrong
But it went so nicely with guest and question, (not to mention hidden "list") who cares.
Posted by boynton at July 20, 2005 03:20 PM

Bands theme????????

Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right......

groupies in the middle?
Posted by Francis Xavier Holden at July 20, 2005 08:21 PM

Losing control, yeah, I'm all over the place??????
Posted by boynton at July 20, 2005 11:51 PM

brit lit

BritLitBlogs

BritLitBlogs is the brainchild of six British literary bloggers. Each working hard at bringing readers to forgotten or overlooked books, our BritLitBloggers decided that combining their latest blog entries together in one place would highlight the breadth and depth of British literary blogging


via wood s lot

read message

A gmail widget in the form of a postage stamp - via antiquated (back from hiatus)

The stamp will turn red when you have gmail waiting (A blush - a rush of anger?)
A similar widget for comments would be nice with appropriate reactive colours.

Monday, July 18, 2005

paint dry

It's strange but these days I'm finding I would generally prefer to watch Paint Dry than watch the television. (via bifurcated rivets)

My current favourite TV series is The Collectors, but even then I'd prefer to be out in the op-shops or watching the nature strips for a vintage television thrown out in the hard rubbish. I did see one round here a few years ago. This year we only exchanged ricketty furniture by stealth.

Of course if the paint story had a good narrative and interesting characters, I might watch it on television


Comments: paint dry

That was an informative page, but I kind of wish I hadn't seen it. Somehow, it's taken away all the romance and I'll never look at Dulux Wash and Wear the same way again.
Posted by Gummo Trotsky at July 18, 2005 06:30 PM

Let alone the romance and suspense of "Kelvin Solid"...

Must go - watching Bud on Talking heads...
Posted by boynton at July 18, 2005 06:51 PM

In fact my timing was quite bad. A square eyes evening ahead.

(It's full on Animal Rights viewing on ABC tonight.)
Posted by boynton at July 18, 2005 08:27 PM

"The Polymer Centre banner, consisting of our logo on a blue ground, has not being displayed by your browser."

Written by boffins, no doubt.
Posted by Tony.T at July 18, 2005 09:51 PM

Luxury!

It's full on "I want to go into some rickety cabin in remote Alaska, save Hilary Swank from Robin Williams, get in a gunfight and die" over here.

I'd say "enjoy the ABC" if it weren't for the subject matter. "Hope you learn something from it" sounds snippily pedagogical. Time to shut up.
Posted by Gummo Trotsky at July 18, 2005 09:55 PM

Yes, T, that's a Firefox thing (or config. or whatever) It works in IE.
I hope you watch it.

I think I set myself up for such pedagogical retorts, Gummo.
(Forgot to watch WWTBAM - for research purposes of course)
Posted by boynton at July 18, 2005 10:16 PM

I'd prefer paint too, followed by a TV that sat there doing nothing, followed by a TV with only Oz, Desperate Housewives and SBS world news...
Posted by groomzilla at July 19, 2005 02:06 PM

Or Oz, SBS world news, Collectors

and Desperate Houseflies?
http://www.desperatehouseflies.com/
Posted by boynton at July 19, 2005 02:11 PM

Am I the only one in viewer land that gets a kick out of Boston Legal?
Posted by cs at July 19, 2005 05:39 PM

I get a kick out of William Shatner.
Posted by boynton at July 19, 2005 11:19 PM

Yes, Shatner's timing is a perennial wonder. James Spader's also killing me, but even with all this the show would still be nothing without the brilliant dialogue. A gem.
Posted by cs at July 20, 2005 08:49 AM

bands

Strange piece of spam just in and deleted:

If you’ve ever felt there was something holding you back in life, ruining your plans and stopping you from being who you want to be, you were right. We call it wedding bands...
If we don’t like wedding bands we should examine what we are putting out. Don’t live with insecurity, negative thoughts and irrational behavior. Use wedding bands and get rid of your reactive mind.
The Page You Just Searched For Does Not Exist!


Is this the Band? Or this?

Sunday, July 17, 2005

needlepoint

Rosey Grier's Needlepoint for Men via panopticist

"Like Joe V. Reed, Francis LeB. is another guy whose wife does needlepoint too. They come home at the end of the day and relax with a cocktail and a little stitching. Maybe there's something to this--a marriage where the partners who needlepoint together will stay together?"



The Tackle


Comments: needlepoint

This one reminds me of something I was trying to explain to a completely uncomprehending Parish the other night; which was, as His Bobness writes in his stunning recent book:

"Sometimes you say things in blogs* even if there's a small chance of them being true."

(*Actually, the Bobstar says "songs", but same diff.)
Posted by cs at July 17, 2005 04:03 PM

Ken must have been tangled up in blue.
Posted by Tony.T at July 17, 2005 05:01 PM

His Bobbin-ess.


meanwhile:
"A hunter might really like to hang a picture of his favorite dog in his den or office. It could even be mounted as a pillow if you wish"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/69799427@N00/21107935/in/photostream/


Posted by boynton at July 17, 2005 09:02 PM

I have a picture of my dog in my den Miss, but pillows?
Posted by cs at July 18, 2005 07:38 AM

I have a picture (or three), but no. No pillows.
(No Den either)

Anyway my needlepointing would probably be naif at best, and possibly very Abstract.
Such a pillow would be destined to be found in an Op shop many years later and posted on a Blog.
Posted by boynton at July 18, 2005 01:38 PM

Saturday, July 16, 2005

mash ups

Raining, slightly sore head - good weather for:

GoodBlimey! A collection of mashups, or bastard pop

via the ultimate insult


Comments: mashups

I'm sure that was my Kelpie Ms Boynton.
Posted by cs at July 16, 2005 03:50 PM

Oh dear - that makes me feel even more guilty, CS.

There was something slightly mystical about the encounter - dog in the light at the end of the tunnel.
People thought it had my name on it - but maybe it was yours, afterall ;)

I saw a very similar one in same location a few days later - with owner. I'm hoping it was a happy outcome.

Meanwhile it is true (as you predicted) that you do get to see them in your dreams. In time. Some solace.


Posted by boynton at July 16, 2005 04:18 PM

Yes, I feel sure they got lucky.
Posted by cs at July 16, 2005 05:38 PM

Wow, it's sunny. I can see blue sky for the first time in Melbourne in years.
Posted by cs at July 17, 2005 11:29 AM

- and isn't it a wonderful thing ;)

No time for blogging - a bluey to walk.
Posted by boynton at July 17, 2005 11:49 AM

Friday, July 15, 2005

racing

Collectors aside, the best human drama TV I've seen for a while was the DNA doco last week..

Linus Pauling and the Race for DNA

... intra-departmental cricket match.

(googling Cricket + Crick and Watson = It's not...)

The Secret of Photo 51


Comments: racing

Good effort picking up the cricket match, Miss B.
Posted by Scott Wickstein at July 19, 2005 07:06 PM

A shame we don't get to see the Biophysicists Bowling.
eg Gosling out for a Duck.
Posted by boynton at July 19, 2005 11:29 PM

Thursday, July 14, 2005

dentistry

The Cartoonist: Dentists. Of course.

Solipsistic: There must be known Truths in Dentistry!


Comments: dentistry

Dentistry shmentistry!
http://www.livejournal.com/users/fantasygoat/51900.html?mode=reply
Posted by Sedgwick at July 14, 2005 05:06 PM

What strange writing at Solipsistic. Sedgwick, ick grossed me out again.
Posted by Link at July 14, 2005 05:19 PM

Yes, ick indeed.
(But notice how the smiling Dentists do not show their teeth. Maybe they are not allowed to advertise)

Strange and wonderful writing there, Link.


Posted by boynton at July 14, 2005 05:27 PM

weak

I did reassure a visiting Armadillo last night that the weather was cold even for Melburnians. (Who nonetheless can embrace the glacial al fresco cafe experience on the odd winter evening.*)

Yesterday by chance I think I caught the first bit of sunshine in a week.
It was pretty weak, but you don't knock such random blessings of Vitamin D in bleakest Bearbrass.

In other news, I have only just noticed my italics issues in IE. (It's all Firefox round here now)
Obviously a rogue i tag, but I have cast my heavy eye through a month of recent entries looking for an unclosed i to no avail. I may have to give up and enjoy the different slant


Comments: weak

One meet up I wished I hadn't missed, and although the horse what was responsible for my absence ran a creditable third at the Valley last night thereby qualifying for the final next Friday. One insincerely hopes that the Barista found the florin I advised him to place on its each-way nose (actually the young equine Gringotts has a decidedly roman nose) when I forwarded my apologies.

http://gogringotts.blogspot.com/2005/07/race-and-result.html

Unfortunately it would seem that I may have been a bit previous in booking the Brambles security van to turn up at the end of race meeting. Did feel a little foolish as I secreted the remaining two and sixpence from my original stake of five guineas into the heavily armed and size twelve fisted guard's cash box.

All I ask is for there to be a profit in my own life time ... and for Barista's repel boarders backlist to stop banning me from commenting by dint of my alleged questionable content.
Posted by Sedgwick at July 16, 2005 07:39 PM

You were much missed, GG, but the gee gees's were evidently a good Friday night bet.
Punting, not punning?
(Sorry - still insufficiently sober... Maybe I should limber up with some of those "Brain Games" of a couple of posts back)

And I know the secret of Barista's and Balcony's Bouncers...

leave out your url...
Posted by boynton at July 16, 2005 08:08 PM

Using the monkey and the typewriter method (the method much loved of Dan Brown and J K Rowling ... oooh errr ... bitchy bitchy!) I finally worked out the secret of entering the Baristarian Temple of Doom.


When I got there I found I had nothing questionable to say.

Cold Saturday nights'll do that to you!

(I recollect that at one stage I had a similar struggle to bypass the portcullis over at After Grog.)
Posted by Sedgwick at July 16, 2005 08:35 PM

um I am without IE but suspect the rogue tag is in 'brain games'. try putting the (/i) before the (/blockquote) instead of after.
Posted by Kent at July 17, 2005 05:20 AM

Kent, think you're right. I was always taught it was (/i) before (/blockquote) except after (/c).
Posted by Sedgwick at July 17, 2005 08:56 AM

Thanks Kent. How dumb of me to be so unsymmetrical.

Alas, i just tried it but IE is still in i mode.

Posted by boynton at July 17, 2005 11:47 AM

Being in the trade I couldn't resist looking into this one...check your link to "Listing...with reflections", there is an (/i) tag thats missing its right pointy bracket (technical terminology).
Posted by damien at July 17, 2005 12:13 PM

voila...

Merci Damien.

My html cred is indeed listing.
Posted by boynton at July 17, 2005 12:21 PM

I'm here 'til Friday and we've just arrived home from the arts centre where we witnessed the master of mainstream, Williamson wield his influence. Witty? you say? I'm looking for some shows or anything a drama teacher might use during the week - (meant to mention it the other night but too stupid).


Here's my email if you think of anything.

email: jen.mcculloch@ozemail.com.au
Posted by jen at July 18, 2005 10:33 PM

Not sure about tickets - but Lear at The Malthouse?
The other show there Black Swan of Trespass looks good.
"The Country" Red Stitch in St Kilda.

Non Parlo Di Salo.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/reviews/non-parlo-di-salo/2005/07/14/1120934358364.html

and Dancehouse?
http://www.stateart.com.au/sota/hit-list/default.asp?fid=3599
might be good for teaching
http://www.theprogram.net.au/reviewsSub.asp?id=2644&state=1

Hope this helps. Nice to meet you, Jen.
Melb not quite so bleak today - Blue Sky Again.
Posted by boynton at July 19, 2005 10:53 AM

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

brain games

Games for the Brain
Play neverending quiz and memory games to train your thinking skills
(via birfucated rivets)

The Word Hunt game is a good analogy of my writing brain on a slow train day, waiting for that elusive concept to arrive.

I also liked the Question game, though I need to fine tune my descriptions apparently...

Reading your mind I sense the answer is flash or menu or mouse or right or select or tool or tutorials or want.


Please be more elaborate in your answers.


Reading your mind I sense the answer is moving or thing...

(It was "mouse" actually - which can indeed be a moving thing.)
 


Comments: brain games

It cannot spot the obvious...

What does it look like? A. Express Train
What does it do? A. Transport People
How do you use it? A. To Travel Between Places

Actual answer - Express Train.
Given answer - Reading your mind I sense the answer is buses or...
Posted by Russell Allen at July 13, 2005 06:40 PM

I tried to describe The Question Game itself...
(seriously - but got a bit whimsical on last)
3: What do you do with it?
Amusement, post an entry about it on my blog...

(That was po-mo wasn't it)

Anyway - the answer was ... ASPX...


Posted by boynton at July 14, 2005 02:40 PM

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

strange planet

glimpsed as I was logging out of hotmail last night...

lastnight on ninemsn


Comments: strange planet

See your Hotmail and raise you a Gmail Boynts.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/theferaleye/gaseous_email.jpg
Posted by Sedgwick at July 12, 2005 06:01 PM

What's the G for in Gmail, GG?

I would have found it impossible not to click on the sponsored link to find out why every second American is chronically ill.

Something to do with King Kong baking?
http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/node/69034
Posted by boynton at July 12, 2005 06:17 PM

Coincidently, as we speak ... well that would be coincidently wouldn't it? (unless you're a journo in which case is would be 'ironic') Lady Livial (sic) is composing some gluten free Lemon Shortbreads.

(Less Brackets more Hinge young GG me lad!)
Posted by Sedgwick at July 12, 2005 07:13 PM

whereas gluten free Anzacs would be iconic.

; (semi-colonic) )
Posted by boynton at July 12, 2005 07:39 PM

my gmail adverts today were all about kilts and skirling bagpipes thro' the glen. It's better than horrorscopes I tell ya.
Posted by laura at July 12, 2005 10:03 PM

I used to love the Google Ads that used to adorn Blogger, spiders that crawled around the blogspots that would sometimes throw a wonderful Found combo of words and phrases to reconcile.

Well - it worked on slower days...

Google used to have more whimsy in their side ads too - or was I imagining it?
In any case, maybe that's enough of an incentive to activate the Gmail invite that was kindly sent to me.
Think the ninemsn thing might be wearing thin...
Posted by boynton at July 12, 2005 11:37 PM

Can anyone lend me a couple of cups of king kong puree? I'm assuming that the proportions for King Kong scones are roughly the same as those for pumpkin scones http://www.thatsmyhome.com/hannahs/scones/pumpkin.htm
Posted by Gummo Trotsky at July 13, 2005 10:51 AM

"Cut in the butter until it resembles coarse meal."
I like "In the Kitchen with Bob" - although I had thought the Yield might be: about one scone.

4 pages of scones!
Quite like the Maple Nut and Pear Scones with Maple Pear Butter Scones, and Dill Scones would be a good name for a trivia team.
Posted by boynton at July 13, 2005 12:51 PM

My personal favourite automated ads are the ebay ones on Google. You can get some crazy stuff.

"Miracle Workers. Find a great selection online at ebay"
Posted by Russell Allen at July 13, 2005 06:35 PM

this is making me hungry for scones. I wonder if it's possible to make scones with kosher nuttelex instead of butter.
Posted by laura at July 13, 2005 07:57 PM

I'm sure I've seen Existentialism on eBay, but not not toDay.
Only "Concepts"

Sponsored Links
Concepts
Products and information about
Concepts.
eBay.com.au

Laura - apparently it is:
http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/factsheets/Factweekend.htm

Posted by boynton at July 14, 2005 02:21 PM

square

Boat lullabies - new site:

Square America a gallery of vintage snapshots & vernacular photography

list

13 Reasons For List Lust via grow a brain

13. What is the opposite of a list? A personal letter, a poem, a page of a diary, a piece of music—possibly the last bastions of uncommodified, unranked, un-numbered self-expression.



Listing...with reflections

Monday, July 11, 2005

puzzles

Broadcasting the Boat Race

Rhythm on the River

Rowing Scenes from the Examples from Our Permanent Collection pages at...
Bob Armstrong's Old Jigsaw Puzzles via Exclamation Mark

Saturday, July 09, 2005

lab qotd

Twenty years hence, the Yorkshire terrier could be the most popular breed. And people will think Yorkies are tough as nails, while Labs will be dismissed as chew-happy slobs.

Top Dog: Why Americans love Labrador retrievers.




Comments: lab qotd

Oho! So yer not actually giving up blogging just yet? You were just doing that woman thing of fishing for complements while pretending to be all helpless and adrift. But I'm wise to yer feminine wiles, they won't fool me...oh look, you got yer fishing lure all tangled up there...here, let me help you.

Yeah labs, the Don Candy of dogs. I've seen one of 'em walk straight through a flyscreen door without apparently noticing. Whereas a Yorkie or Jack Russell would somehow talk you into opening the flyscreen and bringing the food out to them.

While a blue heeler would offer to share the food he'd found.
"I thought you locked the car?"
"I did, but it seems I left the eskie out...and I thought clipped shut?"
"Hi guys! Haven't seen you for 14 minutes! Great! You're back! Fantastic! Wanna go for a run? I left you the quiche crust!"
Posted by Nabakov at July 10, 2005 09:57 PM

no no no - just musing out loud...
(a spot of fishing does wonders for the blogging nerves though.I expect)

I'm disappointed to see Labs are the current Everydog - (jumbo dog for McMansions, apparently.)
Can believe the Flywire screen test - my dog nonchalantly put his paws through a window when he was shut out for a minute.
Bluey profile is right too - although this one holds back on the boisterous greeting. She has some cat-like characteristics I sense.

I enjoyed another stretch of borrowed labrador company recently which has convinced me of their essential lopey,dopey,happy compatability. Despite their current 'levis' status.
Posted by boynton at July 10, 2005 11:53 PM

jig saw

Vitamin Q: JIGABOO Bad etiquette when doing jigsaws with others

I do confess to having committed sin number 5 once or twice in the past
Hiding the last piece and pretending to find it later
(maybe being number 6 in the birth-order makes one occasionally subversive)


Comments: jig saw

I'm a goddam jigaboo!
The number of sins I commit are numerous with particular focus on being an edge nazi, placing corner pieces early and boasting of previous jigsaw accomplishments.

My worst sin is I shun sea and sky to the point where I consider the puzzle complete when I only have them left.
Posted by Russell Allen at July 11, 2005 05:20 PM

Actually I haven't done a jigsaw for a while - but I remember the Edge equation.
Ans various assortment issues. (people with)
And how about the jigsaws where the blues of sea and sky merge unless viewed under a microscope? (Not to boast of past accomplishments or anything)
All quite nostalgic really.
Posted by boynton at July 11, 2005 06:06 PM

I don't know anyone who isn't an edge nazi :-/ Looks like mine was a jigaboo childhood. And I must say it isn't a question of leaving the cat to do the sky (n. 18), but rather getting him to please not disperse and devour that oh so fascinating pile of VERY WELL SORTED PIECES!
Posted by Kent at July 12, 2005 01:22 AM

meanwhile a labrador would greet any stray pieces as crumbs from the table - the sky is falling, manna from heaven.
Posted by boynton at July 12, 2005 10:09 AM

collage collaboration

Scrapiteria The Underwear Adventure

via PCL Linkdump

Friday, July 08, 2005

accordion swing

accordion swing

I bought this 45 yesterday. Alas, I can't translate the note written on the back, dated 3. 0ct. 1957 Melbourne

Meanwhile - Accordion snow...


Comments: accordion swing

You are so gonna love this site.

http://www.showandtellmusic.com/pages/galleries_main.html

If not, you can have your money back.
Posted by Nabakov at July 10, 2005 10:00 PM

Yes I'll order the lot, thanks.

Blog Ennui
http://www.showandtellmusic.com/pages/galleries/gallery_q/discourage.html

Feminine wiles:
http://www.showandtellmusic.com/pages/galleries/gallery_a/excercise.html

Is Blogging addictive?
http://www.showandtellmusic.com/pages/galleries/gallery_p/emotioninc.html
Posted by boynton at July 10, 2005 11:36 PM

7/7

Cynical C First Hand Accounts of the Blast

Thursday, July 07, 2005

smallest player

A strange object


From a portfolio of 321 b&w and 164 colour photos from the 50's-70's (via the cartoonist))



socks

iPod Socks
Size:
Fits all iPods except iPod shuffle.


(via daily jive)

possibly for soldiers


Comments: socks

Why does an iPod need protection from the cold? And surely that pattern can be modified for the Shuffle. It is not exactly the most inspired of knitting patterns unlike this cuddly womb - http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTwomb.html
Posted by Russell Allen at July 7, 2005 05:33 PM

Hmmm...seems this thread might be taking an anatomical turn. More of this ilk here:
http://www.yarnivore.com/mt/archives/000839.html

(Ideally I was seeking a SFW knitted stomach or an item of educational textiles)
Posted by boynton at July 7, 2005 06:00 PM

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

big questions

Science explores 125 big questions that face scientific inquiry over the next quarter-century...

Do mathematically interesting zero-value solutions of the Riemann zeta function all have the form a bi?
Don't sweat the details. Since the mid-19th century, the "Riemann hypothesis" has been the monster catfish in mathematicians' pond.

So Much More to Know … A roundup of 100 additional problems




via the presurfer


Comments: big questions

I loved the 'What can replace cheap oil and when?' HELLO? Even i know the answer to that one.
Posted by Russell Allen at July 5, 2005 07:25 PM

yeah. whatever.
Posted by Francis Xavier Holden at July 5, 2005 10:33 PM

"If true, it will give them a wealth of information about the distribution of prime numbers and other long-standing mysteries."

Prime numbers are mysterious enough to me.

I like the sound of this question:
"What powers quasars?"
Posted by boynton at July 6, 2005 11:12 AM

Powers Quasars sounds like a space bounty hunter looking to rid all the scum and villany from the universe.
Posted by Russell Allen at July 6, 2005 11:32 AM

Powers Pulsars, his sidekick?
Posted by Kent at July 6, 2005 12:25 PM

dangling

24. Legs of a man and two women dangling from the roof of a ferry

Sunday, July 03, 2005

disaster

Whoops...
and this would be a good way to declare a hiatus (theoretically that is)

Net disaster via Idle type




Comments: disaster

Shreik! fabulous.
Posted by Brownie at July 4, 2005 12:11 AM

Very impressive!
Posted by Link at July 4, 2005 09:37 PM

Apparently the chainsaw is amusing.

The snail is quite nice too - good for sluggish days.
Posted by boynton at July 4, 2005 10:16 PM

Saturday, July 02, 2005

empty cup



 


From an ad for Bushells Blue Label Tea from a 1930's Australian Home Encyclopaedia
A choice purchase today at an Opportunity Shop.



Comments: empty cup

Imagine if the cup had been half full...
Posted by Gerry at July 3, 2005 02:35 AM

I'm trying to read the leaves to see if someone has something to look forward to...
Posted by boynton at July 3, 2005 01:53 PM

Bizarre. It's positively zen.
Posted by Dick at July 3, 2005 03:56 PM

- or negatively so?

Who knows...

Someone.
Posted by boynton at July 4, 2005 12:37 PM

What is the sound of one cup breaking?
Posted by Gerry at July 5, 2005 12:01 AM

Friday, July 01, 2005

black lab sleep

People I sleep with - Black Lab Rescue

(via Plep and em)



Comments: black lab sleep

That is pretty sweet. I noticed a search dog on the teev yesterday was just alive with excitement. Wahoo... off with da boss for some fun.
Posted by David Tiley at July 9, 2005 02:25 AM

I thought I saw a spaniel? As a sniffer dog.

btw: That page doesn't seem to lead back to the index:
http://www.peopleisleepwith.com/

I chose the black lab - for obvious reasons - but this photo is wonderful:
http://www.peopleisleepwith.com/bick.htm

“When we go to bed at night,” said Dawn, “they all hop up and get their spots. If I get up for any reason in the middle of the night, I lose my spot. It’s that simple. The second I’m out of the bed, Cocoa, a chocolate lab, will put her head on my pillow and that’s it. I have no other space. Then, to make matters more complex, Pookie, and sometimes Leroy, the black cat, will awaken me with unbelievably loud purring as they sleep right near my head.” I asked if they had planned on having eight animals sleeping with them. “No, we never intended that. They’re all foundlings. We’ve never purchased an animal.”
Posted by boynton at July 9, 2005 12:31 PM