thence pwllheli

Revolution number 9 - minute by minute (via grow a brain)

Although there would seem to be some dispute about the exact lyrics as this passage indicates:

5:50-5:59 Intelligible speech (john, right): "The dogs were dogging,the cats were catting, the birds were birding, the fish were fishing..."

differs from this version:

How? Dogs for dogging, hands for clapping
Birds for birding and fish for fishing
Them for themming and when for whimming

and this:

6:01
JL: "Dogs were dogging, cats were catting. Birds were birding, Fish were fishing. Thence Pwllheli, went swimming"
[Pwllheli, pron. "per-thelly", in Northern Wales. An odd little poem!]

Anyway - once you get the words down you could always try the karaoke version.
Surely that would have to be included in any Extreme Karaoke set?

---

Comments: thence pwllheli

Duh, duh, duh... (sorry, boynton, couldn't help myself, just had to do this) :-)

That's it. No more. You've used up your comment quota for March.
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 04:47 PM

Oh no!
but is it comment number nine yet? ;)
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 11:04 PM

Oh my god, I just realised that a humourless person might think I was serious in my previous comment. I'd better put smilies after everything I say from now on. :-) :-) :-) [sigh]
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 11:07 PM

I find the wink to be pretty much my default.

;)


and having just listened to Revolution Number Nine on vinyl for the first time in ... years?... I would be employing at least nine different emoticons to express my reaction to the lyrics.
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 11:14 PM

This is ridiculous, boynton, you just managed to wedge a comment in before mine. Please deem my last comment to have been made before I saw your last comment, otherwise new misunderstandings could arise... :-)

Comment number nine? I don't follow..

I'm feeling a tad sensitive after being mauled by a humanitarian. Life was easier when I was killing 'cong so you could have a better life... ;-) ;-) ;-)

Me getting all sensitive is in itself ironic. And I'm going way over the comment quota here... :-) :-) :-) [double sigh]
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 11:16 PM

"comment number nine"...

A weak joke in reference to the Beatles song of the post. I think listening too hard to the said song dulled my wit.

I'm pretty sure it would have a high degree of difficulty in the karaoke stakes.
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 11:23 PM

Ok! Back to sanity! I finally read your original link and now I understand the 'nine' thing.

Also, boynton, I've inadvertantly hogged this blog and I'll give it a bit of a rest for a bit now before I scare allof your regulars away for good. :-) :-) :-)
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 11:25 PM

Thank you. This blog appreciates your hogging. ;)

Alas - who knows where all those regulars are?...
(no wink) ;)
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 11:29 PM

a word of warning.

Don't Google "dogging in uk"
Posted by Francis Xavier Holden at March 18, 2005 12:09 AM

You know, FX, I kinda thought that looked dodgy.

And here was I thinking Pwllheli was curious.
Posted by boynton at March 18, 2005 12:17 AM

- and does that mean I might get some serious search traffic now?
Posted by boynton at March 18, 2005 12:22 AM

Serious dog traphiking ... Pam for spaming ;P

Black puddinging for guiness-lovers?
Posted by Jozef Imrich at March 18, 2005 02:02 AM

green beer for spam...

I just noticed the most recent search request:
"tea towel poems"
which contains an excerpt from b at blogspot that reads almost like a foreign text to me...

"the popular nostalgia of the tea-towel also serviced private memory..."

Must have been something in the brew in those days. However - people searching for "Tea towel poems" may not be too shocked by this blog's content, but who knows.
Posted by boynton at March 18, 2005 08:01 PM

apes

I went to the Great Ape lecture last night

each speaker talked of the eyes - that essential connection.
and the photo that Birute couldn't look at for two years - of an orangutan - gentle creature of the forest, who had been bashed with shovels about the head, one eye removed...
and of our own blind eyes
and each speaker tried to fit an extinction scenario into half an hour
after decades in the field
with one minute to midnight
so that the last few minutes of each set became
a concentrated cry from the heart
we can't let this happen
and what will we tell our grandchildren...

Birute summed it up, that scenario, as losing our own connection to eden.
(whatever the creation story)

and it was said that we spend billions on missions to Mars in search of a martian molecular clue.
A fraction of the money could save the Great Apes, a keystone species, our fellow primates here on our planet.

...drastic action is needed. Time is not on our side.

GRASP
Ape Alliance Action for Apes

---

Comments: apes

So we'll save the great apes? I seriously doubt it. It's just one more distraction from the really really big issues, of which the ape thing is a symptom but not the cause.

I have a Jewish (ex)friend with whom I refuse to talk these days because he supports the settlements in the West Bank and the actions of the IDF in Palestine. what's this got to do with your article? Easy, it's his view I shouldn't worry about the middle east, I should be "trying to save the whales or something." As I said, I don't talk to that prick anymore. Oh, and he has labelled me an anti-semite. Bwahahahaha...

I'm not taking a swipe at you, boynton, it's just that your story reminded me this other thing. And I'm stuck in this mind-trap which convinces me that I only have so much time/energy to devote to causes and that the Great Ape thing is a _symptom_ of a much bigger _cause_ to which we ought to be devoting ourselves and I'm a firm believer in "treat the cause, not the symptom".

I know I'll get creamed for saying this, but that's fine.
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 09:44 AM

It's about as big as it gets to me.

But I also don't think it's a black and white thing.
We can (still) save the apes while dealing with other issues, or we can not save them while dealing with other issues.
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 10:04 AM

Yeah I know...

It's just I sometimes think I'll go (even more) crazy if I worry about all the issues I could worry about, so I try to prioritise. But I do concede that it's essential for the great apes that someone worries about them.

I told you I'd get creamed... :-)
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 10:34 AM

The speakers, all of whom have reluctantly left the field to try to take this desperate message to the world, have to answer this sort of question all the time. "Why are you so obsessed with the apes" etc.
(Birute said this was a question asked by every Aust journalist with the exception of - in her words - "Uncle Bert") The last speaker became quite passionate in defence of this alleged obsession. Worked for me.
And each of the three were at pains to place the fate of the respective Ape into the broader political and socio-eco context (of their region, at least)

And such comments are welcome, btw, Gerry. ;)

Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 10:48 AM

Well, you'll get a lot more of 'em then!

But I do have this wee problem. Could you please make your posts less erudite? I've been reading your blog for some time now and I can never think of an appropriate comment to make. All I can usually utter is "duh duh duh.." and that can appear a bit over-used after a while...

While you were probably still shitting in your nappies, I was out killing 'cong just so you could grow up in a free capitalist paradise collecting ever more bling bling whilst singing "something's missing in my life...". No, please don't thank me... Really... The pleasure was all mine... I'm the last of the true altruists...

Now, about your blog: Dumb it down!!! :-)
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 11:29 AM

There's a lot of us. Enough that we can specialize, get specific. Champion what the heart says over what the mind churns up. Or what they say together when the mind listens.
Wolves hunted from helicopters by vicious little men who travel 6,000 miles for the opportunity. Frail people cast aside by the desperately rationalizing selfish.
It's a long list, and like any list of chores the priorities can be hard to sort, because it all needs doing. Have to start somewhere. Kinship's as good as any other criteria, so's chance encounter. Do what's in front of you that needs doing. And don't let the pseudo-logic of pragmatism slow you down.
We have to be stronger than meanness.
Posted by Ajax B at March 17, 2005 12:12 PM

Alex, well said!!!

You should start a blog. A mind such as yours should not be kept private.

Enough of the "shoulds"... I'll go now...
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 12:34 PM

I'm an idiot !!! Sorry, I meant Ajax.
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 12:36 PM

Diogenes.......Do you have a kind bone in your body ? Do you care about ANY living thing that is enduring pain and suffering ? By the sounds of it , l doubt it !!!!!

Here , Here................Ajax

Get of you high horse Diogenes.
We need people in this world that care !!!!!

Here here Boynton.
Posted by Humanitarian at March 17, 2005 08:43 PM

Ajax - yes, a great comment.
"Champion what the heart says over what the mind churns up. Or what they say together when the mind listens."

I welcome Gerry's input - anon. His thoughtful comments have led to a good conversation, in this post and the next.
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 11:02 PM

lf you want to call it good conversation..........
Posted by at March 18, 2005 08:17 AM

...better than 'dialoguing'
Posted by boynton at March 18, 2005 07:52 PM

if you say so MS BOYNTON !
Posted by at March 18, 2005 08:40 PM

Last time I looked this post was actually written to address the fate of the great apes and their imminent extinction. If that's not enough to make you weep - I don't know what is...
Posted by Norabone at March 18, 2005 08:52 PM

That's the first time I've deleted a comment, Dave.
I hope it's the last.

Norabone says it all.
Posted by boynton at March 21, 2005 06:00 PM

I think more clearly than I speak or write,so should the limits of my language be the limit of my world. Dogmatism and the lack of a G S O H, I find , combine to be the curse of opinion.
Norabone. The weeping and wringing of hands in despair over the possible extinction of the dearest and nearest of our relatives, is commendable. Unfortunately there is a need to remove a vast number of obstacles in order to achieve a halt to their declining numbers. Sadly most humans disappear into the mist when asked to contribute assistance in any form, in most cases quoting charity to our own kind is more important, as is, in all other creature species of our planet. There are organisations who collect monetary contributions to this sad cause, maybe that big primate K P could be persuaded to cough up a few quid. I personaly have a continual flow of funds leaving my bank a/c for misc charities and I too, also have problems coping with bill payments like many others. but are we getting our priorities in the correct order, who should we consider to be first in the long queue of the deserving entities crying out for help, should we ignore the millions of starving people in war ravaged Africa. It is a terrible dilemma we are all faced with. Sometimes I see Bunnies near our back garden, Foxes too, It is a pity us humans are hell bent on their extinction, something to do with the NIMBY syndrome. Our family have a family of possums who visit at dusk without fail, to whom we feed carrots and stuff.
Norabone, would you describe to me your own plan to alleviate the pain and suffering of these unfortunate beings.
Posted by Dave at March 22, 2005 10:23 AM

At one minute to midnight I'd pefer not to be distracted by the sound of someone breaking wind!
Posted by Norabone at March 22, 2005 05:45 PM

Yes - alas, I do not have a very GSOH, but then I am a NS/SD and DTE.

Black humour is fine - "Dave" - as long as it has heart. Your joke about monkeys is no doubt highly amusing, but in this context is like dancing on the grave of Primates.

And it wasn't just the sentimental luvvie-duvvies like me who were affected by the facts presented in the lecture and elsewhere, but many rational men and women were clearly moved. A Committee member of GRASP for example was both emotional and cogent in his closing remarks. These are people to admire- compassionate thinkers who are taking action.

The action required is outlined in the links above, FYI.

Posted by boynton at March 22, 2005 07:06 PM

I am always the first to use my hanky at funerals. So it is more than likely I would become affected at such a heart wrenching revelation. The Gib thing was factual,the other would not be so offensive, maybe, if you had not been made aware of this delicate situation. We all have a lot of goodness within our selves, let's not ruin everything by being vindictive. Enjoy your abstinence nice lady. Ok, I give in, what is D T E, is that also something to do with abstinence. With all my heart rending apoligies,Dave G S O H, N/S, ocas S/D, too old, C F Anymore, L T K & C.
Posted by Dave at March 22, 2005 08:02 PM

I knew all about the monkeys wanking. Common to all apes I believe.

I'm not vindictive, (whatever the acronym is for that) - any genuine comment will be treated with respect. Others may be deleted. I do like to keep things on topic in general and at this post in particular.
Posted by boynton at March 22, 2005 08:11 PM

Please tell me what happened, did I offend ? my last comment deleted ? anyhow no offence meant to you. However this my new site feel free to check me out I promise I shall not delete you.
vest@swiftdsl.com.au www.dailygaggle.blogspot.com
Posted by Vest at March 23, 2005 04:17 PM

I have never seen you write a rude word before Boynton, that W word was very naughty, you didn't tell me what D T E meant, its quite a puzzler.
Posted by Dave at March 23, 2005 04:48 PM

ws1

Watch Southern Hemisphere (via bifurcated rivets)

---

Comments: WS1

Another piece of "must have" bling for the "socially conscious" yuppies to wear in order to say "Look at me, I've arrived". A complete waste of... everything... in my book, but oh-so-apt...

Don't mind me, boynton, I'm just being me...
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 09:23 AM

I'm not a Yuppie - despite the internet connection we all share, just a web window shopper.

I think in this case, Gerry, the bling does seem to have another mission, in part.
Or at least the company:
"The Think the Earth project is a non profit organization founded to promote Earth awareness and provide aid for distressed children"
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 10:01 AM

Yep. Wonderful. And it's a limited edition piece. I'd want to know who paid for the design, tooling-up, manufacturing, and marketing costs. Until I know what portion of the retail price actually makes it to the promotion of earth awareness or towards aiding distressed children, I'm going to assume it's bling aimed at the rich who are feeling a tad guilty.

Anyway, what do they mean by "Earth awareness" (could mean oil prospecting) or "distressed children" (could mean buying Lear Jets for their kids). Has anyone done any great probe into this mob?

Might be more effective for the Guilty Rich to donate $795 to the charity of their choice and spare the environment the damage done by the manufacture of yet another piece if utterly redundant bling bling for those with too much disposable income.

Come the revolution... :-)
Posted by at March 17, 2005 10:27 AM

Oops. That last one was me.
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 10:35 AM

I am a tad skeptical too, but their web site has some information.
http://www.thinktheearth.net/aboutus/aboutus.html

It's lucky for the rest of us that we can watch the watch on the web.
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 10:37 AM

It's a nice watch... (grins, ducks, and runs back into the black, ominous night from whence he came, cackling madly all the while..)
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 10:40 AM

Ok, time to get serious. Here's what I've noticed so far:

(1) Lost Times are retailers who don't claim to donate anything to charity themselves. They merely list Think The Earth project (TTEP) as the manufacturer. In other words only a portion of the wholesale price goes to charity.

(2) Lost Times also have a northern hemisphere model which sells for $595 ($200 dollars cheaper). This indicates to me that due to fewer southern hemisphere models expected to be sold (which is realistic), the price difference can only be justified if tooling-up costs are passed on to the buyer. In other words, tooling up costs are deducted from the amount given to charity. this indicates very strongly that the same would apply to the design and manufacturing costs.

(3) This is the TTEP's first item put up for sale. This org is brand new. This increases my suspicions of it being a rip-off.

(4) TTEP's "concepts" are perhaps oxymoronic:
(a) "ecology and economy in coexistence"
(b) "Contributing to society through business"

I could get really into this topic, but to spare you, I'll leave it here (unless you're silly enough to ask me to elaborate). :-)
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 12:27 PM

Yes it all seems like a wearable bit of greenwashing now.
Your third comment says it all really, and was my first thought when I saw the watch. I think you can probably guess my charity of choice.
(Buy a $10 watch (from markets or op-shop)and give $785 to GRASP) ;)

on 4) Not well versed in this, but I read Paul Hawken years ago, and would hope there is a third way possible - "a restorative economy"? Otherwise may as well just jump off the train and buy any old bling that's on offer...
http://www.scottlondon.com/reviews/hawken.html
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 01:32 PM

Wow, that sounds like the economist I've been dreaming about. But I fear that Hawken gravely overestimates the willingness of business to function from anything other than the profit motive, being, as it is, driven by shareholders whose sole purpose of owning shares is to see a profit. Also, the corporations that most control the WTO (which controls global business legislation these days) are exactly those who least attract ethical investors.

Sorry, boynton, but I fear we're all headed for The Mother Of All Stockmarket Crashes in the not too distant future. Even Howard fears this. Which is why he's now scurrying around trying to force the states to change their superannuation laws so that it's no longer compulsory to put your retirement money into a super fund. That way, when The Crash comes, Howard can smuggly say "Well, don't blame me, I gave you the choice to put your money somewhere else." (Such as 'bricks and mortar' which would boost Howard's economy again.) But I digress...
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 02:11 PM

"The Ecology of Commerce" was a great read, containing one of the best summaries of the damage done (over a couple of pages as I recall) which winded me for a week or so - but also provides an alternative vision. It's been a while since I read him, but some more here:
http://www.naturalcapital.org/ph/Write/Write.html
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 02:27 PM

Boynton, have I warned you before about talking to strange economists?
Posted by Scott Wickstein at March 17, 2005 04:03 PM

Not on my watch? ;)
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 04:05 PM

Ok, I'm sold. I've ordered it from Gleebooks. It'd better be worth it, boynton! Shit, talking to you gets expensive! Grrrrrrr :-)
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 04:11 PM

I'd be interested to read a report - I hope ;)
Cheaper than a watch, anyway.

(I borrowed "Ecology of Commerce" from the Library. Although it's one of those books I would buy if I ever saw)
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 04:25 PM

Yeah, sure... "Crazed Vietnam vet reviews Paul Hawken's book - read all about it!" Bwahahaha...
Posted by Diogenes at March 17, 2005 04:42 PM

Have we got a "negative" person in the air.

Don't worry be happy........
Posted by at March 17, 2005 08:52 PM

I'd say "Challenging" - in the best sense of the word, which has made me reacquaint myself with some old ideas.
Posted by boynton at March 17, 2005 11:09 PM

Hawken's book has arrived and I've started reading it. I'm glad I bought it rather than borrow it from a library bcause I think it's a book I'll be going back to repeatedly.

Using the search function on Quiggin's blog produced zero results - I don't know if this means that Quiggin has had nothing to say about Hawkens but I would have liked to know his opinions on Hawken. Too daunted to leave a comment though.. :-(
Posted by Diogenes at March 21, 2005 10:00 PM

Glad it seems worthwhile, Gerry.

I don't know how it rates among the academic economists at all. Having no background in the field, I guess I read it as an ecological vision of capitalism?
I am often too daunted to Post comments around the place. Should be a blog for unposted comments - the rejected out-takes.
Posted by boynton at March 22, 2005 12:05 AM

Thanks for bringing the book to my attention. It's very informative for one such as I and I'll be interested in how he thinks this monster can be brought to heel. I suspect he's a bit utopian, but it'll be interesting to see what solutions he proposes.

In 1993 he was saying much the same things as Joel Bakan says in The Corporation eleven years later.

I'm going to enjoy this book. Again, Boynton, thanks.

On the other matter, there is a blog for unposted comments - it's the blogger's own blog. (Sorry for stating the bleeding obvious - again.)

Gee I hope I don't get smacked down by any more humanitarians. I'm still feeling pretty punch drunk.)

I'm ever so sorry for coming in here and lowering the tone of your blog. You really mustn't encourage me you know... :-)
Posted by Gerry at March 22, 2005 09:26 AM

Ok "Jo, Dave, John Leonard, Les, Elle, Georgia, Gorgia etc".
Your last comment (since deleted) is the giveaway.
Any pretence of civility has gone, and you've turned out to be as tedious as Spam.
For the record - you are wrong. I am as straight as you claim to be (when you write with your old married man moniker, anyway)
I was going to write a hand-wringing "luvvie duvvie" post about what to do with Trolls, but now there is clearly no need.
Any respect I have shown you over the last few weeks has clearly been a waste of my time - and that of my readers.
You can take your scribbling tendencies elsewhere now.
Luckily for us all there is a Delete key
Posted by boynton at March 23, 2005 10:08 AM

choice posts

The simplest things prove to have been the most important dirty beloved



How I won a Bill Bryson Book eeksy-peeksy

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Comments: choice posts

I don't have sitemeters or all that so I miss these a lot of the time, then every once in a while I'll chance on one of those index sites and auto-search and find these links, and here is this one.
Posted by Ajax B at April 11, 2005 04:58 PM

Glad your recent comment has brought this back to the surface, Ajax.
Hope people click.
Posted by boynton at April 11, 2005 05:08 PM

drive back

Julie, Marina and Gordon with 1959 Triumph TR3

Drive back in time - Dmitry Popov photography

I approach every theme like a little movie production shot with a camera. Ideally, the series of pictures should tell a story as single picture can do. It is, certainly, a vague stylization of the era and it is not exact...
It is not a retro, but a genre inspired by retro

via PCL Linkdump

web letters

Web of Letters via waxy

record covers

boynton and the blue heeler?

Actually - just one of the beautiful record covers on display at Cover Heaven
(via Life in The Present)

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Comments: record covers

Narrated by Boris Karloff?!? Choice, Joycee!
Posted by Tony.T at March 14, 2005 01:00 PM

Never picked you for being a Gun, though, Boynton.
Posted by Scott Wickstein at March 14, 2005 01:09 PM

I know - one to look out for in your travels, Tony.

I'll take that as a compliment, Scott.
Posted by boynton at March 14, 2005 01:18 PM

Flo is actually "prettier" than that strange taxidermist's reject wolf.
Posted by Norabone at March 14, 2005 11:08 PM

We never said it was a likeness...

(Would wink - but Flo don't do that)
Posted by flo at March 15, 2005 12:49 PM

possums

I read this anti-possum rant in Saturday's Age and thought how sad that some people favour roses and lemons over wildlife. I'm one of the dreaded possum protectors. Except that recently I failed to live up to the put-down.

I had to bury a small ringtail the other day, killed by a domestic dog, this one, the blue heeler. We are guilty.
When I wrote about Flo stalking marsupials in the evening, I didn't think she'd catch one, just as I can't see her ever snaring the helicopters that fascinate her. I thought she watched from a slow, abstract distance, from behind verandah railings. But the hot night may have made the possums sluggish or clumsy and she pounced. I got there moments too late.
It was a beautiful creature
We know. Flo should be living on some sheepless farm, or on the back of a ute guarding tools with her inner demons. This is not her natural habitat.
She is now banned from going out at night.

Regarding the apparently vexed question of living with possums, I prefer the spirit shown by this wildife refuge

Roses … my father's favourite plants … abound, much to the delight of our non-feathered garden inhabitants ... the Brushtail and ringtail possums ...
who, quite obviously, are of the firm opinion these were planted exclusively for their gastronomic enjoyment.

In this suburb and others old houses are getting pulled down steadily along with their old trees, and even lemon trees are pretty passe. Paved outdoor rooms with a few ornamentals would seem to be the favoured horticultural style, and there are leaflets asking if we have a backyard for sale. This rented house with a few mature trees, spare land and a handful of brushtails is probably on borrowed time. I do admire the roses down the road, but I wouldn't begrudge the possums some flowery supplement to their diet for as long as it lasts.

see also Attracting native wildlife to your garden from the Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia

CBC archives

I need to borrow some broadband to properly check out the Canadian Broadcasting history on offer at the CBC Archives. In the meantime, the Radio clips are pretty good old-fashioned entertainment.

A Woman's Place: Programming for the Modern Homemaker

via I like

canine mystery

Mystery of dogs leaping to their death in Dumbarton Scotland. I wonder if this is the bridge, lately renamed Rover's Leap.


(Another mystery is the way people respond to this as a quirky launching pad for jokes. I don't have a high humour threshold when it comes to sad dog stories)

(via J walk)

---

Comments: canine mystery

Not the spot to take Spot.
Posted by Francis Xavier Holden at March 12, 2005 03:57 PM

What rotter would make gags about that? I mean, who on earth would find anything funny in scottish dogs committing suicide by jumping off bridges?

There is nothing remotely funny in ...

See Spot run.

See Spot jump.
Posted by Tony.T at March 12, 2005 04:24 PM

There is incredible pathos in the idea that dogs do 'em-selves in, but I suspect it is highly unlikely. They probably suffer more existential angst then most other animals, which is probably related to the bonds they have developed with us sicko humans but I think the innate will to live is something that only truly disturbed human have the ability to subsume in a mix of imaginings about perceived dire situations. (Mind you these may be real situations, but given time and a change of view, such perceptions change too.

(I'll wait for someone to prove me wrong and say something about lemmings).
Posted by Link at March 13, 2005 10:31 AM

PS - such a nice looking bridge too.
Posted by Link at March 13, 2005 10:32 AM

I am extremely sensitive to the needs of all creatures G&S, Dogs in particular.
The noblest dog is the hot dog, it feeds the hand that bites it.
If Dog is God, Mugabe is a Yorky.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 13, 2005 12:09 PM

http://us.speegle.co.uk/search.php?q=we+are+not+amused&v=&voice=1

I don't think the suicide theory makes sense either, and would be looking for the rational before the paranormal explanation- but may keep an open mind about the latter, while keeping spot on a lead.

Actually there is more on the Bridge and some pics if you take the virtual Tour of the estate.
http://www.overtounhouse.com/index.html
Posted by boynton at March 13, 2005 09:31 PM

Squirrels in the trees? Trees below the bridge?
The Overtoun one doesn't look overtly deceptive though.
-
It may be a tabloid construct with less of a direct relationship to the truth than the colorless print makes it appear.
-
Spirits in conflict. No really. Demonic spirits, like in the Bible - cast away the demons into some hapless creatures and over they go. Those Gadarene collies.
-
Dogs are telepathically receptive. I don't care who says what. And like people it varies from animal to animal.
Some creepy little goth revenant sending its brain waves into them. For kicks.
-
Lemmings, by the by, don't do what they're purported to; they do migrate, in swarms and droves, but not blindly over precipices.
-
Less seriously apt, though serious just the same:
If those Americans were moving in, I'd consider jumping, I'd flee, I'd do anything to get away from them. As also I would if possible here, where I am now and they are also, here, now.
How creepy that cultish non-entities prosper in these parlous times, and move their dull wits into architecture they can never really own, and certainly could never have built themselves, lacking the grace to create it.
Posted by Ajax at March 14, 2005 10:26 AM

W
o
o
o
o
o
o
f
Posted by Rover at March 14, 2005 01:01 PM

I believe dogs are receptors too. A labrador I knew used to get 'spooked' each time she walked through a certain arbor in the Botanic gardens, (in a precinct with a lot of ghost stories.) Who knew what was there, but she acted as if she saw something. May have been the territorial markings of a dog she didn't fancy.
I do like your "Some creepy little goth revenant sending its brain waves into them. For kicks" theory.
& the creepiness certainly warrants consideration.
Posted by boynton at March 14, 2005 01:06 PM

hope Rover doesn't

t
n
u
a
h

you for your scorn.
Posted by boynton at March 14, 2005 01:12 PM

Must be the divine wind in the Willows, or a Nip in the air, Banzai!! Bonzo.
Posted by John Leonard S pencer at March 14, 2005 10:47 PM

Doggone!! Barked Capt Bone on the Bridge, as he and his dog tired sea dogs doggedly gazed in horror, as the Kamikaze kelpies Sue & Sid; Zeroing in, came fleaing down to fight the Dogfish in the growling waters below.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 15, 2005 11:46 AM

Cool comment by J L S. 14th inst, must be an old guy to remember that stuff, an old sea dog maybe.
Posted by dave dagenham at March 18, 2005 08:17 PM

Yes Dave, he certainly was, I read about him, he remembered the carnage that once dogged him.
Posted by David at March 20, 2005 02:32 PM

Yes, anyone who cracks cheap jokes about airborne self-carking canines deserves to be hounded by the Basketballs.

On a heavier note, the first time I cried about something that didn't directly involve me getting hurt or not getting my way, was when I discovered my dad trying to secretly dispose (he had the best intentions -wanting to spare me and my brother, five and three years old respectively the sight) of Neddy, a hearty carefree mongrel built along heeler/terrier lines who was one of the gang until he met a ton of metal travellng at 50k in the other direction.

Since then I've buried a few other animal mates and now with a stiff upper lip. But it never gets easier.

Incidentally, have they thought about putting a webcam overlooking the bridge in question? T
Posted by Nabakov at March 20, 2005 08:33 PM

A sad tale about Neddy. I have a dozen from childhood concerning ill-fated dogs, some involving that ton-of-metal variety.

Would the webcam pick up the "creepy little goth revenant" and its brainwaves?
Or the inner turmoil of the unleashed?
Or the scent/sudden movement of the rational explanation?
Posted by boynton at March 20, 2005 09:21 PM

Hi Nab. When our last bow wow carked, as you so delicately put it, the local Priest refused to say a few words over his grave. For $200-00 the Presby minister did the job. When the dog collared priest found out how much was paid , he screamed "Why the bloody hell did you not tell me your dog was a Catholic".
I believe JL's involvement was more relevant to operation iceberg 1945
MS Boynton. I have buried many Dogs over the years ,some of them sea dogs, ex K G V, 3.5 years.
Reading your posts, I find you are a bit of a luvvy duvvy sensitive lady, can't go wrong there.
Posted by Dave at March 21, 2005 08:25 AM

Nabokov. The fact you mentioned Self Carking Cannines; jokingly. would indicate you too deserve to be castigated. Sounds like basket balls could be painful, for men who may have them.
Checked up on Op Iceberg, not my type of holiday cruise, ties in with the Divine wind in the willows Banzai thing. Nasty stuff.
Posted by Gorgia at March 21, 2005 11:36 AM

Sweet Georgia. Op Iceberg was no lollipop, being exposed on the A D P of the flag ship; a prime target for weeks on end, the endless brown trouser syndrome for me; then only eighteen, has taught how to appreciate being alive, maybe I was blessed by a divine wind, thousands were not.
Posted by Dave at March 22, 2005 08:40 PM

Just to clarify my earlier comment, a family joke was never letting me forget that once (through a slip of tongue as a little tacker, honest), I started dissertating away on a long car journey about that classic Sherlock Holmes story, "The Hound of The Basketballs." while everyone else kept a straight face throughout, the bastards.

My mum will still remind me of that to this day when she thinks I'm getting too bumptious.
Posted by Nabakov at March 22, 2005 08:54 PM

Nab: We were all such sweet kids, sometimes we were horrid monsters. When a misdemeanour sent me to the Doghouse, Fido was always there to console me and lick away my tears, Ah.
Posted by Dave at March 22, 2005 09:30 PM

instruction man

Swedish home furnishings giant IKEA is guilty of sex discrimination by showing only men putting together furniture in its instruction manuals, Norway's prime minister says...

Its manuals show only men or cartoon figures whose sex is unclear.

Bondevik added: "I myself have great problems with screwing together such furniture."

---

Comments: instruction man

I know people (yes men included) who pay other people to put their IKEA stuff together for them. I suspect a bit of nordic rivalry...and I'm always impressed if both the manual and all the required bits arrive in the same box!
Posted by norabone at March 11, 2005 08:02 PM

er...some bits of that story are missing. I left out a major part in the re-assembly.
But I like your Nordic rivalry theory too. Wonder if the Sweden=Norway rivalry rivals the Sydney-Melbourne rivalry?
Posted by boynton at March 11, 2005 09:27 PM

Yes, it does, from what I've heard.
Posted by Scott Wickstein at March 12, 2005 01:45 AM

Hunter Valley Assembly Specialists. Office in Swansea NSW , Mob 0408 908 567, fixed up my new BBQ which came in package. Too daunting for me, two blokes with tools had it up and going in less than one hour cost $140-00, barby $900-00. Previous barby disappeared from our garden earlier, nicked.Insurer paid up, but the intriguing saga relating to its disappearance is still on going. Final episode will be posted later.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 13, 2005 11:32 AM

Emma does all the IKEA assembling. The last time I tried, I ended up sobbing in a corner. I do the heavy lifting afterwards.
Posted by Dick at March 13, 2005 06:17 PM

I've never bought anything to assemble. Suspect I might sob or make a scuplture.
I was more amused by the the thought of Nordic androgynous graphics, not to mention Nordic rivalry.
Posted by boynton at March 13, 2005 09:39 PM

Next door neighbour bought a packaged black Sound & TV cabinet, made in Finland. I was told that the instructions for assembly were in Suomi, Swedish and Norwegian. I gave them the assemblers tel number. Lets hope they Snakke ikke Norske.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 15, 2005 12:24 PM

I suppose you would break into Finnish if you finished the assembly in one piece.
Posted by boynton at March 15, 2005 01:19 PM

Reuters via Kevan

related? 50 modifications to the "Benjamin" stool

grasp

The Great Apes Survival Project

Despite the dedicated efforts of many individuals and organisations, the great apes are on the very edge of extinction. Time is not on our side

Currently in Australia The Great Ape Tour
World experts discuss the future of the Great Apes and what must be done to ensure their survival!

Desperate plight of the great apes

"It's that world market for computers and PlayStations and that sort of thing which has led to, we fear, something like 70 per cent or 80 per cent of the eastern lowland gorilla population gone"...

"We are destroying the habitat of the great apes for the comfortable living that we like, but no one is actually connecting the fact that their consumer power and their political power could be helping to solve that problem."

weekly

A selection of The Australian Women's Weekly covers illustrated by WEP

---

Comments: weekly

that's great!
Very nice link!
Posted by michelle at March 11, 2005 09:05 AM

All much more appealing than present style. I hope Peter gets a good result with his collecting and will keep an eye out on my book fair/bric a brac/ opshops rounds.
Posted by Brownie at March 11, 2005 11:56 AM

How's that cricket one... And September 1945 is quite moving. Blossom, Brave new world.

I have a few Weeklies in my collection (not here) but don't think any WEP. Certainly something to look out for.
Posted by boynton at March 11, 2005 01:03 PM

Great pics , loved them, but being a mere male, have I detected something sinister here. Why publish Monthly and refer to it as The Austalian Womans Weekly? Or is it, to avoid a jocular crimson tide thingy? Appears odd to me, but no offence meant.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 12, 2005 06:04 PM

speegle

Listening to speegle, a talkin search engine via bifurcated rivets


How does a search engine sound?

My voice is higher

How can I keep from singing?

Sound of silence

---

Comments: speegle

Love the Scottish brogue. Weird eh?
Posted by Link at March 11, 2005 07:06 AM

I like him the best too.
He makes the tilde sound gud.

http://us.speegle.co.uk/search.php?q=O%2C+my+love+is+like+a+red%2C+red+rose&v=&voice=1
Posted by boynton at March 11, 2005 12:59

micro

Finding God through a microscope (via daily jive)

I like to think that spirituality resides in the invisible -- that's where God is. It's unknowable. Through these pictures, a little bit of the unknowable is made visible. So, in that sense, the microscope becomes a sort of spiritual doorway

Mystic Molecules - Inner Space Gallery Substances oftimes look like what they do...

(I think I'll go for an 82 Sav blanc tonight... and the 1941 Inglenook Cab sav looks like an Australian flag who's had one too many)

---

Comments: micro

it's like Alice looking through the hour glass!!
Posted by at March 9, 2005 10:56 PM

Wow boynton, lovely. 'Caffeine' certainly looks like how it feels.
Posted by Link at March 10, 2005 06:53 AM

The wine range covers feelings from diamonds to whirl.
The Rose is beautiful.
Posted by boynton at March 10, 2005 04:42 PM

Thanks so much for sipping into the molecules and expanding vision.
Posted by Sondra Barrett at March 14, 2005 07:07 AM

You work is inspiring.
The wine is beautiful too.
Posted by boynton at March 14, 2005 12:58 PM

world news

The Search for “God” Ends March 14 as New Book Absolute Intelligence Integrates Science and Religion Once and For All

---

Comments: world news

Amen !!
Posted by at March 8, 2005 08:38 PM

There's a major typo right on the first page and heaps more thereafter.

And no, it's not really what I had in mind when I was creating minds.

Also the biblography sucks big time.
Posted by God at March 8, 2005 09:39 PM

Beware the eves of March!
Posted by Tony.T at March 8, 2005 09:39 PM

“We already know everything there is to know. The knowledge we seek is within us. And it’s circular.”

Madam, I'm Adam.
Posted by boynton at March 8, 2005 11:04 PM

Question: What did Eve say to Adam on first meeting?
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 9, 2005 08:34 PM

Answer: Beware of the palindrome.
Posted by boynton at March 11, 2005 12:45 PM

horses

Looking for Dobie recently, and through a trail of TV composers, I found myself remembering National Velvet - A TV show much watched in the boynton household well into the early seventies.



*


There's not much info on the web, but you can hear the intro at this site, and watch an episode apparently. TV Tome has an episode list

This was one of the first TV shows with a girl as main character... "National Velvet" was at least one of the first shows that featured a girl as an assertive figure . A girl lead was very unusual in early television.(source)

I liked the fact that Velvet wore jeans in B&W TV land. In jeans I'd ride my Malvern Star bike around the garden, pretending it was King. We were desperate to own a horse. We contented ourselves with patting the ones who lived a few doors up, agisted on the pipeline.

And this is a wonderful post about a horse...

---

Comments: horses

l thought Elizabeth Taylor was beautiful in this show. l used to watch it to and wanted to be her.
Fond memories.
Posted by at March 8, 2005 08:53 PM

Elizabeth Taylor was in the film of 1944.
She was great though. Lovely film.
Lori Martin played Elizabeth Taylor in the Tv show...(well you know)
Posted by boynton at March 8, 2005 08:59 PM

2 episodes of Velvet stick in my mind:
The one containing the 'swarthy, earring jangling gypsy fortune teller' who predicted "Blaise King vill die" in her 'menacing Eastern European accent' - she was right!
The other was when big sister Edwina tried to coax little shmuck brother Donald away from a snarling, fang-baring wolf who may or may not have also been suffering from hydrophobia. Or was that Old Yella/The Yearling/To kill a Mockingbird?
Mi saved the day with a single pop from his handy .22.
Posted by norabone at March 8, 2005 11:27 PM

Oh...and while the wolf snarled at the feckless, freckled little blond kid he kept saying: "Nice doggy. Nice doggy." My sister and I whilst peeping from behind cushions on the couch - (which came in handy years later as we watched Psycho) muttered it's a WOLF you stupid little fool.
Posted by norabone at March 8, 2005 11:38 PM

Yes!
The Fortune Teller:
http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/GuidePageServlet/showid-12178/epid-218775/
The wolf! (see fire)
http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/GuidePageServlet/showid-12178/epid-218695/
I've read through nearly all the episodes now. They all come back with just the barest synopsis.

I found the Fortune Teller spooky too - she had a tendency to suddenly appear with her menacing warning. Sinister. BUT she was wrong. Blaise King did not...?

And yes! That wolf... the episode seemed to be repeated ad infinitum. Still disturbing though, especially if you lived with 'temperamental' labradors and a host of older sisters who slipped into that bossy older sister/drama queen role very easily. ;)
That was Edwina's big dramatic moment.
Posted by boynton at March 8, 2005 11:50 PM

Thanks for the link boynton, yes 'King' was truly an inspiration. Sorry to not have found your post earlier. Thanks again. I too used to ride a Malvern Star,fantasising about it being a horse; it wasn't much good at jumping though.
Posted by Link at March 10, 2005 06:57 AM

1932? Neigh.
Posted by P.Lap at March 10, 2005 01:43 PM

I love your equine content, Link.
I did have a short stint at Horse-riding school as a child. Gave up just as I was learning to jump.
Our Malvern Stars could jump, just. ;)

How many times was Elizabeth Taylor married, Mr. T?
Posted by boynton at March 10, 2005 04:52 PM

I saw the National Velvet Movie in 1945 while in Sydney. I also attended the Melbourne cup Nov 6 1945. A South Aus horse 'Rainbird' with Sydney jockey Billy Cook was the 12-1 winner, not sure who came second , But third at 14-1 was 'LEONARD'!!
later about 1950, back in my village of Chalgrove u/k , I noticed that a house had been built over the grave of a one ton Shire Horse 'Captain'; buried about 1935, I could not resist revealing this macabre find. The owners; to say the least , were more than surprised.
From then on it would be midnight dreams of Clipity Clop, Headless horsemen, Giddy ups and hearing the 'Ploughman homeward plod his weary way'. Incidently, It was, a 'Gray' horse.
Our house in Chalgrove was named 'Chalgrove Field', being adjacent to the site of the major Cavalry skirmish of 1643. A tall horsey tail indeed.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 10, 2005 04:56 PM

That's a good tall tail, JLS
Re The Cup 1945, apparently Silver Link came second.
I think I may have backed a horse called Leonard, but then, I do have a tendency to back the 4th and last runners in the Cup.
Posted by boynton at March 10, 2005 05:34 PM

Neight times.
Posted by Tony.T at March 10, 2005 07:36 PM

I often wonder if the St Mary's Churchyard Chalgrove with brook flowing by, was the location for Thos Gray's 'Elegy'. It mentions in verse 15, cousins Oliver Cromwell, and John Hampden* who fell during the cavalry battle at Chalgrove Field* 1643.
A day never passes without me remembering my childhood in Chalgrove.** 'Captain was a (Grey) Horse'.
**Skinny dipping innocently in the brook with the boys and girls on sultry summer days, ah well!!
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 10, 2005 08:23 PM

fence update

A month after the storm, the fence is getting done
by a friendly backyarder, who took about 20 minutes to cut through a pipe
You don't need that tap anyway, do you?
(It's not my place to say.)
It will be odd living with things set square again.
The perspective has been a bit German Expressionist
but you get used to things teetering on the brink.


in the meantime, anyone for tennis.swf? (via the presurfer)

giant steps

Michal Levy Giant Steps (via anil dash)

When I listen to music I see colors and shapes and when I watch visual art I hear sounds.I wanted to express my sensing of shapes colors and music in this short movie.

(A companion to the link from December- an animation of the ditone and quadratone progression)

netrospective

Yahoo! Netrospective: 10 years, 100 moments of the Web (via the ultimate insult)

yeah?

20 ways to say No (via Twists and Turns)

I do not have any more room in my calendar

"filled" doesn't have to mean really filled

Some things have come up that need my attention
It is temporary and you will have more time when life stabilizes

---

Comments: yeah?

Doesn't "I have to wash my hair" work anymore?
Posted by wen at March 7, 2005 09:06 AM

I'll get back to you when my hair stabilizes?

Yes it would be interesting to transpose some of the personal "no" lines to a business setting.
I liked the relativity angle of the first line (or the commentary), and the inherent optimism of the second.
Posted by boynton at March 7, 2005 09:38 AM

Just say NO !!!!!
Posted by at March 9, 2005 11:02 PM

dyson calling

Via Collision Detection, I see there's a new Dyson vaccum cleaner:

The gizmo alerts the user if it has broken down or needs a replacement part.
The owner then dials the number of the Dyson call centre and holds the telephone receiver to the vacuum cleaner.
The machine transmits a message telling engineers what’s wrong and orders any new part it needs.
Its computer chip even lets them know WHEN it was bought and for how LONG it has been in use.

Makes me look twice at this Dyson. OMG WTF What would it say?
Dob me in for wilfully vacuuming a peg and causing chest rattle until shaking finally induced regurgitation of foreign body?

Would the Dyson ever get off the phone?



Meanwhile if you are collecting vintage vacuum cleaners, don't forget the weave.

Another important thing to know about woven hoses is that they come in weave patterns and color combinations that are brand and model specific. If you're interested in having a completely original machine, finding the correct hose in the right weave and color for your machine can be an adventure.

---

Comments: dyson calling

Vacuum cleaners suck.
Posted by Gerry at March 6, 2005 03:29 PM

In their prime, they do.

I have to say that a Dyson doesn't. That is, it does very well. (And I'm not just trying to suck up to it should it ever be enabled to phone home)
Alas, it is not mine, and soon I shall be living again without a state-of-the-art $$$ bagless cleaning machine.
Posted by boynton at March 6, 2005 03:46 PM

"D5611XA7 checking in... ...No I it make 04:53 AEST... ...yes Australian Eastern Standard Time, you pommy bastard... ...Ha! good one. Trust the Japanese!... ... got one for you too, what do you get if you cross a Gold Star microwave with a Toshiba DVD player?... ...oh right you've heard it... ....Nope, nothing new...yeah OK, its summer and the fucking dog's shedding like crazy. It sucks, but then again so do I!... ... right, heard that one too?... ...so what've yer heard about the new range?... ...Bullshit! No way!... ...we come in yellow and gray, no way around that my man... ... hmmm, you think so... ...right... ...(brszt, crackle, yelp! yelp!, yelp!)... sorry the bloody pooch was chewing on the cable, nothing 240v can't fix... ... h\Heh, heh! Yeah, that was a good scene in "I, Robot", know watt I mean?... ...look mate, I do remember why I was calling in, she was talking about getting a new microwave... ...Visa I think. Hang on, I'll just go get it."
Posted by Nabakov at March 8, 2005 04:49 AM

Crikey! No one is getting out of THAT paragraph alive.
Posted by I.Witness at March 8, 2005 08:52 AM

Conference call - that's a scary concept.

Though it would be good to yell at the Microwave - Would you get off the effing PHONE! What are all these 1800 numbers..?

Another frightening thought is Dyson.blogspot.
Featuring much the same sort of content as the conversation above, but with sport.

Or - the more boyntonesque-
I was down at the op shop today and spotted an Elecrtolux XXX with leatherette. Unfortunately I don't think the hose matches. I can't recognise the weave.
Posted by boynton at March 8, 2005 11:23 AM

Elecrtolux? Is that what you use to do the Hovering?
Posted by Tony.T at March 8, 2005 12:16 PM

Wouldn't be boyntonesque without a typo, Tony.

Or a vacuum without a scambled lead.
Posted by boynton at March 8, 2005 12:27 PM

For the orthenticity?
Posted by Tony.T at March 8, 2005 12:38 PM

Or the buzz. In the city.
Posted by boynton at March 8, 2005 12:46 PM

the buzz of retro-decor-ownership, in the city, of course.
Posted by boynton at March 8, 2005 12:51 PM

Of course. Naturelle Mont.
Posted by Tony.T at March 8, 2005 01:00 PM

but why oh why do the paper dustbags cost more money than the 2kgs 400 glossy pages September issue of US Vogue
Posted by Brownie at March 8, 2005 08:46 PM

Good question. I put it to Google. It didn't know.

I'm a convert now to the Dyson bagless model. Or Dyson imitators. Wonder if there's any going cheap in Godfreys.
Posted by boynton at March 8, 2005 09:05 PM

Hi! D5611XA7 checking in. Any messages for me?

Also yer microwave says it really needs cleaning, there's a furball under the couch I can't quite reach, yer mum rang, again! and yer iPod was up all last night downloading some bad stuff from www.sexyshanghaiaugogopirates.com.
Posted by Nababov at March 8, 2005 09:50 PM

Can you put the Microwave on please, D5611XA7
I really need to speak the Microwave.
Posted by boynton at March 8, 2005 11:15 PM

You'll have wait for 2:30 minutes to talk to the microwave. It's chatting up a hot Saab engine temperature monitoring chip at the moment.

But I think yer dishwasher wants a word with you, once it stops yakking to the CERN synchrotron about les spin cycles.
Posted by Nababov at March 8, 2005 11:53 PM

Ok - put on the old whistling kettle, will you.
We can reminisce about the days when when household appliances were dumb and dumber.
Posted by boynton at March 9, 2005 12:05 AM

WiFi toasting forks!
"Smart" hot water bottles!
Web-enabled barbies!
"Fuzzy logic" ceiling fans!

I'll stop now. I don't wanna put any more ideas into the control chips of our domestic appliances.

Hell no, I'll just pitch them to Pixar instead.
Posted by Nabakov at March 9, 2005 01:12 AM

Fortunately I have never had the presence of mind to talk to any particular household appliance, so I have not had the experience of listening to one reply. I frequently become annoyed when these modern marvels malfunction, but never become abusive, knowing full well I will not receive any response. However, it must be frightfully disturbing for your loved ones having one in their midst, or do they visit you at the temple of Godfreyness during weekends.
My sons ex Dragon in law's Bike, WITCH is behind our shed is free to anyone.A early model Hoover V6 Eight Tie Broom, vgc with new handle,goes well,Brrroooom Brrroooooom.
Posted by JohnLeonard Sspecer at March 9, 2005 01:54 PM

You don't know what you're missing, JLS.

I talk to everything - and some of them talk back. The resident pedometer is quite chirpy.
Posted by boynton at March 9, 2005 02:04 PM

Nab; Unlikely that the Saint Vlad would make such utterances. Didn't like the P B too much, dont trust them nips either. May I have the answer to your question (1),It's not a pom for sure, but may be a Ozbludgerygalah I believe. I am not Micro Wave wise, I did a few air conditioning jobs on Aircraft 44-45, "Banzai".
I am now becoming accustomed to your quaint pidgin grammar. However, I am still trying to make sense out of your reason to electrocate your dog, as you put it,'Just for a laugh. Six of the best for that Nabakov, bend over you wicked boy.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 9, 2005 08:00 PM

http://us.speegle.co.uk/search.php?q=+my+dyson+is+talking&v=&voice=1
Posted by boynton at March 10, 2005 09:29 PM

Heard the haggis man speaking, failed to under stand him. I did up to five results, about loonies vacuuming. Must be a worrying time for Mr Jolly the Electrolux door to door geezer.
I do not vacuum, Mary is my vacuumer. As in, If I have horse, I no pull cart.Mr Macho.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 10, 2005 11:06 PM

Heard the haggis man speaking, failed to under stand him. I did up to five results, about loonies vacuuming. Must be a worrying time for Mr Jolly the Electrolux door to door geezer.
I do not vacuum, Mary is my vacuumer. As in, If I have horse, I no pull cart.Mr Macho.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 10, 2005 11:12 PM

bloggerwear

Bloggerwear (via Media Dragon)

I'm being watched. This is the one that jumps out at me

---

Comments: Bloggerwear

Surely those bags needed a blog pun it there somewhere.

Canvas blog, or some such jolly wheeze.
Posted by Tony.T at March 4, 2005 05:15 PM

What is a bag?
Posted by boynton at March 4, 2005 05:22 PM

"Quit blogging and take me for a walk" - heartbreaker!
Posted by cs at March 5, 2005 12:51 AM

Sorry Miss. I made that comment before I clicked on "the one that jumps out at me".
Posted by cs at March 5, 2005 12:53 AM

Ach, Miss Boynton - the one I suggested just did not make it:

Life is what happens while you are busy blogging ;-)
Posted by Jozef Imrich at March 5, 2005 01:03 PM

Yes, it used to be a "heartbreaker" when Doug watched me blogging, CS. Luckily neither blueys nor jack russells have the same imploring power of a labrador.
I can wear Jozef's motto quite happily around such lesser canines ;)
Posted by boynton at March 5, 2005 01:52 PM

I wear the slogan around the house - after all one has a choice to be a social dust or a reclusive dust ;-)
Posted by Jozef Imrich at March 8, 2005 12:29 AM

Must get out today ...
(Dust to dust)
;)
Posted by boynton at March 8, 2005 11:10 AM

marquee meme

I got the idea for the marquee at Okir, who saw it at Gura's Blog with a link to the code. I've often thought of doing something with that tag, just as I might do a Flashcard entry one day...The first effort is a rather literal stab, that may be slowing down the page.

 

marquee

 




...Get the Most Popular Sites for "unrelenting"... never-ceasing; "the relentless beat of the ducks"..."Unrelenting" is used about 100 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 birds used in the English language..."Unrelenting" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: unbelonging...cementing, circumventing, consenting, denting, dissenting, fermenting, inventing, lamenting, misrepresenting, presenting, preventing, reinventing, renting, representing, resenting, tenting, venting...Great deals on Unrelenting...AN UNRELENTING DESCENT INTO LIVES OF DARKNESS...23 unrelenting overs, 3 Batsmen made ducks

 

---

Comments: marquee

l wish l had a gun to shoot the target on the duck !
Posted by at March 4, 2005 04:36 PM

That's the slow version.
I've added a couple of links...
Posted by boynton at March 4, 2005 05:08 PM

Ducks off! If you don't like duck, you're rather ...
Posted by Tony.T at March 4, 2005 05:17 PM

l'm feeling some what dizzy.
Stop ! l want to get of !
Posted by at March 4, 2005 06:11 PM

- at fault, T?

yes, that seems to be the general effect of things that scroll or blink. At least the duck is slow.
Posted by boynton at March 4, 2005 06:16 PM

... stuck.

-- Basil Fawlty.
Posted by Tony.T at March 4, 2005 09:39 PM

that'd be... at fawlt, T ?
Posted by boynton at March 4, 2005 09:46 PM

Urk.
Posted by Tony.T at March 4, 2005 10:04 PM

I like the way it says "unidentified NAKED man..." I mean to say, if you're gonna pick a wood-duck out of a gum tree, naked's the way to do it, surely...
Posted by dave at March 5, 2005 07:39 AM

- and UNIDENTIFIED at that.

I hope that piques the interest enough of casual clickers ;)
Posted by boynton at March 5, 2005 01:48 PM

Today is Monday I hope; or should be, I now believe I am sober, or maybe not, today I recieved a very rude Telephone call from a person whom I cannot remember, who stated my end was nigh. After my attempt to decypher your comments , I can only assume that most of you lot were well up in the sky with Lucy, if not, what do you drink to make you go on like that?
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 7, 2005 08:42 PM

Tea
Posted by boynton at March 7, 2005 09:26 PM

Tea !! With what and why and when and where doyagetit?
That Foster bloke flogging 40 proof Balin now?
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 7, 2005 10:08 PM

Hmmmmmmmmm.
Posted by Sigmund.F at March 7, 2005 10:24

mathematical gifs

Never mind the numbers, the words of these Mathematical Animated Gifs are rather beguiling. (via daily jive)

These include Bootstrap Percolation, Poncelet's Porism, (Amazingly, this problem is isomorphic to Gelfand's question), Munching Squares and Witch of Agnesi

The Bump Function intrigues as does the Simpson Line ... (This line was attributed to Simson by Poncelet, but is now frequently known as the Wallace-Simson line)

---

Comments: mathematical gifs

They look and sound like executive desktop toys for a wired world.

Or the EG's gig guide.
Posted by Nabakov at March 3, 2005 10:59 PM

Wonder if Poncelot's Porism.blogspot is taken?
Posted by boynton at March 3, 2005 11:27 PM

Tonight only at the Thumping Tum; Apollonian Gasket supported by Homotopic and those wild men of rock Uniform Circular Motion.
Posted by Tony.T at March 3, 2005 11:45 PM

And then you can funk on into the wee small hours at Revolver with:
Bump Function
Langton's Ant

and on their farwell tour before breaking up:
Root of Unity
Posted by Nabakov at March 4, 2005 12:00 AM

Or I might just rock up to the local to hear "Universal Cover".
Posted by boynton at March 4, 2005 11:54 AM

variously

e-x-c-h-a-n-g-e-v-a-l-u-e-s Interview with Nick Piombino


Dick Jones' Patteran Pages The Royals: Who Hates Who

Odd Books I Like "A Miscellany of Diverse Interest and Pleasure" (via grow a brain)

Russian Fairy Tales (via *.*)

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Comments: variously

Other than Fergie (who's obviously an unmuzzled, dizzy-eyed foot-licker - and what's the point of that?), them royals are just a bunch of gleeking knotty-pated pumpions....
Posted by wen at March 5, 2005 11:23 AM

Wen: I suspect a lot of people other than the blue bloods could be gleeking notty-pated pumpions.Whatever it means, it would seem to be quite a frightening encumbrance, possibly painful.
The problem with being Royal is, you cannot cease being Royal, even by your own choosing. My tolerance of Royals is supported by the fact I choose not to hate people,(Most of the time). I find Loving much more rewarding.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 5, 2005 01:19 PM

I agree with you, JLS.
In the same way I don't think anyone's purloined and peddled pillow talk would stand universal scrutiny.

But I thought this link was a bit tongue-in-cheek amusing for tracking the alleged alliances of Princess Pushy if nothing more.

Dick's DIY Shakespearean Insult Kit is very fine reading too, just below that one.
Posted by boynton at March 5, 2005 02:01 PM

You're quite right, John & in fact I really dislike gratuitous Windsor baiting myself (& could do a much longer, much nastier list of who said what about who in my family...) I was just having fun with some of the silly Shakespearean insults listed under the royal gossip at Dick Jones's place. Indulging my very worst impertinent, pribbling, motley-minded, onion-eyed impulses - being the worst sort of beetle-headed, beslubbering pottock imaginable ...
Posted by wen at March 5, 2005 02:10 PM

Jinxed!
Posted by wen at March 5, 2005 02:12 PM

Indeed, wen, I wonder whose extended family could withstand such constant close analysis. Doesn't bear thinking about... At least using insults like those provided in the kit would make things less pedestrian at christmasses. (Maybe iambic though.)

I also wonder if "mammering, dog-hearted, harpy" is an insult? I might wear that one.
Posted by boynton at March 5, 2005 02:46 PM

We also have a sub human male in our extended family, not of my bloodline thankfully,who may well be described as a Flagitious-Flatulent-Fornicator.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 6, 2005 02:08 AM

Comment 3.Boynton. Fully understood,I did read it, very intimidating stuff, even SUB/HUM would not deserve a additional serve of such abuse.
Returning to Royals: It was clear that even Dick 3 had had enough, calling,EQUUS EQUUS MEUS REGNUM PARUMPER EQUUS, or something similar. Now we have Chas 3, designate to the throne, who likewise, is prepared to give up his kingdom(Dare I say it) For a Horse.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 6, 2005 01:47 PM

cards

Freshly purloined from Dirty Beloved...

Cardstacker

Did your training as an architect help you in any way?

Yes and no. Most of what I know about Cardstacking came from years of experimentation. I would argue that young people who spend time building with cards and really make an effort to get better at it will develop a natural sense of how structures work and behave. I would even say that the majority of what I know about the structural behavior of real buildings and building materials came from my experiences building with cards. It is possible to learn a lot through casual observation! ...faq....

florida photos

Ramage linked to the Florida Photographic Collection.

Naturally I searched for melbourne
Directory to Melbourne Village : Melbourne, Florida Image Number : c021579 Date : 1955

Along the way (Commerce/Signs/Bulletin Boards) I found this image:
Miss Iceland 1962, listens to Director Jim Sumpter's introduction at a tourist center.

And Miss Iceland, Miss Universe runner-up, at the Capital City Golf Course

---

Comments: florida photos

Did you know Melbourne, Florida, was actually named after Melbourne, Victoria?

http://www.melbourneflorida.org/info/history.htm

However they make a bigger thing out of it than we do, and quite rightly so.
Posted by Nabakov at March 2, 2005 04:19 PM

http://boyntonesque.blogspot.com/2004/05/other-melbs.html
Yes, I was surprised to learn that, assuming it was after Melbourne. Lord.

(I did happen to see a biog of that man filed under "Travel" in the Salvos)
Posted by boynton at March 2, 2005 05:52 PM

Lamby to his chinas.
Posted by Tony.T at March 2, 2005 05:54 PM

Oh right. Hmm, this Melbourne naming stuff does seem to get raised a lot on this blog. I see it's also mentioned too at:
http://boyntonesque.blogspot.com/2005/03/florida-photos.html
Posted by Nabakov at March 2, 2005 06:33 PM

What gives there, Nab? I don't get it. Is that a double loop link back with po-mo twist?
Posted by Tony.T at March 2, 2005 06:48 PM

Yes, it's a mobius comment.

As in why did the chicken cross the mobius strip? To get to the same side.
Posted by Nabakov at March 2, 2005 09:48 PM

& why did the Lamb cross the road?


A quick check shows that Melbourne itself gets mentioned a lot in this blog. 70 posts in fact.

Can't get better than this.
http://boyntonesque.blogspot.com/2003/10/reverend.html

But this is one of my faves. (pics)
http://boyntonesque.blogspot.com/2003/06/buenos-melba.html

Posted by boynton at March 3, 2005 09:42 AM

There's a theme here.
And a kind of joy.
http://dirtybeloved.blogspot.com/2005/03/this-is-really-comment-to-posting-at.html
Posted by Ajax Bucky Vernaculo at March 3, 2005 04:22 PM

Fabulous, ABV.

I hope everyone clicks on the link for the Misc. FL hist. pics
Posted by boynton at March 3, 2005 10:26 PM

It is mobius you cannot cross the road to chicken out, or for any other foul reason, when cooped up on the only side.
Sorry, I clicked on to the wrong link for florida.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 6, 2005 03:21 PM

hleahtor-smiþ

It was the mirth bit of the spleen I liked, rather than the melancholy.
And googled and landed at this Online Anglo-Saxon dictionary

hleahtor-smiþ, es; m. One who causes laughter, mirth, joy:-Wóp wæs wíde worulddreáma lyt wǽron hleahtorsmiþum handa belocne widespread was the wailing and little of this world's joys, the hands of those who wrought laughter were closed

A laughter-smith is a nice compound.

Also half etymology, half genealogy:History of the Laughter name

Laughter was a word used when speaking of a 'full clutch of eggs laid by a fowl', as in – 'The hen is sitting on her laughter (full clutch) of eggs'.

---

Comments: hleahtor-smiþ

So that's why people "crack" jokes, and if they misfire because of a thin-shelled audience, are said to have laid an egg and end up with egg on their faces.

Yes folks, the yolks are on us.

This also explains the mysterious appeal of the rubber chicken in visual comedy.

And one thing funnier than the look on a cat's face while it's having a crap, is a chicken's expression while extruding henfruit.
Posted by Nabakov at March 1, 2005 07:50 PM

Think I need to poach a jolk from somewhere.

Never seen a chook concentrating, but a cat I knew used to look extremely earnest (po-faced?) in that context.
Posted by boynton at March 1, 2005 10:07 PM

Nabakov's jokes were eggscruciating.
Posted by Tone The Knowledgeable at March 1, 2005 11:05 PM

Yes, I have an albumen's worth of fowl punnets.
Posted by Nabakov at March 1, 2005 11:37 PM

Don't pullet my leg.
Posted by Tony.T at March 1, 2005 11:51 PM

I can see we're gonna egg eachother into a whole battery o' cocked up puns.

Yeah, a chicken laying an egg has this hysterical yet vagued out look in its eyes, which I find as funny as a cat staring keenly and earnestly into the middle distance while basically just downloading preloved kangaroo.

Which reminds of one of the funniest screen moments I've ever seen.

T'was in an episode of Red Dwarf where time plotwise, and key moments like a barfight, all run backwards - and towards the end (or beginning), they're all charging into the ship to get away (or arrive) but realise a member of their company is missing (or hasn't arrived yet).

Then The Cat emerges from behind a nearby bush, adjusting (or readjusting) his clothing and says, "Now that was definitely unpleasant."

What can I say. The clocal makes me vocal.
Posted by Nabakov at March 2, 2005 12:32 AM

While watching Mary cracking eggs this morning,I noticed that the eggs had been stamped with a weight logo. This reminding me of the little lion logo stamped on pommie eggs,indicating, due to this extra processing,they would be less fresh than the eggs getting to the consumer quicker without the logo.The Egg Board slogan "GO TO WORK ON A EGG" produced quite a few Yolke jokes, one in particular; "Why are you late for work young man". "Sir, I was coming to work on my egg when all of a sudden it stopped. after a while, I pulled The Yoke out and it went all white. (Choke on that) you are old if you remember chokes in cars.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 2, 2005 09:16 AM

Presumably were we blogging just a tad over 1,000 years ago, all of these wags would have been known as hleahtor-smiþs. Or not, of course...
Posted by Dick at March 2, 2005 09:33 AM

Nabakov = Clocal Hero.
Posted by Tony.T at March 2, 2005 10:33 AM

I think "hleahtor-smiþs" would be a good blog name. Maybe over 1,000 years .smiþs becomes .com.


Posted by boynton at March 2, 2005 12:07 PM

So is this why bad jokes (which includes just about any joke I make, just ask my frequently pained adolescent son) are always 'cheesy' & 'corny' - like egg-yolk?
Posted by wen at March 2, 2005 02:19 PM

I like a good runny/running joke though.

Just noticed the auto link with clutch and choke.
Posted by boynton at March 2, 2005 02:30 PM

The sinful halcyon days, clutching the clucky chick in the Roller
With gear lever rampant
Alas, now todays automatic old boiler.

But Mary! I still love you, John.
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 2, 2005 03:51 PM

spleen

BBC Science Interactive Body a 3d jigsaw (via Life In The Present)

I assembled all the organs, but the spleen was difficult to place, even with a hint.

Over the centuries the spleen has been assumed to be the seat of various emotions – but exactly which emotions has changed over the years. If we start in the 15th century, I can tell you that some physicians believed back then that the spleen was the seat of melancholy or morose feelings. Others believed it was the seat of laughter or mirth. A century later and the spleen was blamed for producing whims, caprices, and changeableness. At the same time there were other physicians who believed that a hot or proud temper; high spirits, courage, and a resolute mind all came from the spleen (source)

From websters I see:

To dream of spleen, denotes that you will have a misunderstanding with some party who will injure you

And also that spleen has an Internet Search Engine Keyword Frequency rating of 1,041 per day.

amusement

via The Presurfer:
The Young Man's Book of Amusement
This wonderful book was published in 1854 and it contains gems of Victorian experimental science

A small selection of electrical-leaning articles has been scanned.

I like the idea of The Inconceivable Shock

The whole company may be made to partake of the shock, by joining hands, and forming a circle. The experiment may also be varied if they tread upon each other’s toes, or lay their hands upon each other’s heads

and love the sound of these amusements selected from the index:

Air, a fountain, by the pressure of.
Aeolian harp, to make.
Balloon, small, to construct and inflate.
Brilliant explosion, to cause underwater.
Barometer, an infallible.
Blue, to change to white.
Bird, to make seem as dead.
Chemical change in a fair lady's complexion
Cards, a certain number of, being shown to a person to guess that which he thought of.
Cards, to make jump out of the pack, and run on the table.
Cards, to produce a mouse from a pack of.
Cards, how to tell a person any he thinks of and convey it into a nut.
Easy method of Purloining without discovery.
Extinguish ladies' clothes, catching fire, to.
Electrical orrery.
Echo, interesting account of an.
Fire, for wheels, a slow.
Fire, for wheels, a dead.
Feather, the animated.
Ghastly appearance, to give to persons in a room.
Galvanism, sensations which it excites in some organs of sense.
Handkerchief, a, to cut and tear into pieces, and to make it whole again.
Horn, to soften.
Iron, to melt in a moment, and make it run into drops.
Jealous husbands, three.
Ideal spectrum. Impenetrable winter cloaks, made of feathers.
Learned swan.
Money augmented by an optical illusion.
Money, to melt a piece in a walnut-shell, without injuring the shell.
Magical tea-spoon.
Number nine.
Problem, ingenious, another.
Ring to put through your cheek, and then bring it on a stick.
River spectacles
Report like that of a gun, to cause with a tobacco-pipe.
Recreation with a hundred numbers, a curious.
Supernatural appearance, to give a person a.
Sympathetic ink.
Snow-ball, to keep all summer in a perfect state.
Spectre on a pedestal in the middle of the table, to produce.
Water spout, imitative.
Write in the dark, to.
White gloves of a beautiful purple, to dye.


(I think Handkerchief, a, is my favourite)

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Comments: amusement

"Extinguish ladies' clothes, catching fire, to"
This has an evocative zing.
And the one just above it has an appeal all its own.
Posted by ajax bucky vernaculo at February 28, 2005 05:05 PM

Yes...

But if discovered and convicted, would one get to hear the phrase "My Learned Swan"?
Posted by boynton at February 28, 2005 05:23 PM

"Rose, the changeable" is actually Rose The Changeable; a Victorian crossdresser named Ross.
Posted by Tone The Knowledgeable at February 28, 2005 06:51 PM

I think I sniff a Limerick in the last line, Tone.
Posted by boynton at February 28, 2005 07:00 PM

...

Once purchased a gallon of gloss ...
Posted by Tone The Knowledgeable at February 28, 2005 07:06 PM

He said with a leer
"Just spoon it and smear"
And ... errr ...

... covered his plate with cos.
Posted by Tone The Knowledgeable at February 28, 2005 08:02 PM

Bravo.

And possibly, a cross-thread of Icebergs or
"When, comes to dinner, the boss..." ?
Posted by boynton at February 28, 2005 08:51 PM

a Victorian crossdresser named Ross
Once purchased a gallon of gloss
He said with a leer
"Just spoon it and smear"
And ... errr ...

We'll take it in turns to toss.
Posted by Francis Xavier Holden at February 28, 2005 09:50 PM

Those days are not long gone.

Any hearty modern lad, after more than a few cleansing ales, should be able to treat you to tableaux vivants of the followng:

Brilliant explosion, to cause underwater.
Chemical change in a fair lady's complexion
Echo, interesting account of an.
Echo, interesting account of an.
Echo, interesting account of an.
Horn, to soften.
Spectre on a pedestal in the middle of the table, to produce.
Water spout, imitative.

As a gentleman, I've left the single inuenndo here to others. T

Though my water spout is often admired but never imitated.
Posted by Nabakov at February 28, 2005 11:14 PM

FX: splendid blend.
and don't forget the dressing. Or extinguish, to.


Nabakov, Vivants indeed.
Who knew such splendour lay barely hidden under the surface of a little parlour galvanism and invisible ink? And I didn't go near the candles...
Posted by boynton at March 1, 2005 01:19 PM

dooby

Don't think this is worth a ping*, but since I rather casually referred to (The Many Lives of) Dobie Gillis in a comment on a Troppo post by CS, I can't get the dobie theme outta my head. My older sisters watched this show, I only know it from the TV Greatest Hits record. As earworms go, it's not bad.

You can hear it here

The music of Dobie Gillis One outstanding aspect of the Dobie Gillis TV show was its incredibly hip jazz score written by the late Lionel Newman. Newman's background scoring featured the craziest scat singing and bebop harmonies ever heard on a mainstream sitcom

The Newman Dynasty

Also: Dobie Gillis: The structural strategy of juxtaposing the teenage outsider and the mainstream sitcom family.


* update: I mean my post isn't worth a Ping, of course. CS' po-mo post is excellent.

---

Comments: dooby

That's only VERY irritating.
Posted by Tony.T at February 25, 2005 06:15 PM

Yes I know others who share your views on this genre. You would particularly like the 2nd clip.

Strange but it seems I have a very high beebop/ vocalese/whateffer threshold and LOVE that sound.

I would buy the CD.
To go with the "Lambert, Hendricks and Ross".
Posted by boynton at February 25, 2005 06:23 PM

I could only get one of the links to work. Were there other tunes?
Posted by Tony.T at February 25, 2005 06:59 PM

Oh? I'm talking about the
"You can hear it here"
link to Sitcoms online/The Many Lives of Dobie Gillis. 8 clips. Don't miss the 2nd.
Posted by boynton at February 25, 2005 07:17 PM

A Dye-Na-Steeeee.

http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0006213/bio
Posted by Alfred.E.Newman (Mad relation) at February 25, 2005 09:57 PM

http://www.dynastyarchives.co.uk/features_merchandise_mad.htm

http://www.collectmad.com/madcoversite/mad256.html

(You could have taken the Chocolates line too, you know, Alfred)
Posted by boynton at February 26, 2005 11:56 AM

Anatevka ...

http://www.collectmad.com/madcoversite/mad156.html
Posted by Fonebone at February 26, 2005 12:33 PM

I'll have to consult with Norabone, Fonebone.

She used to collect those, as I recall.
Posted by boynton at February 27, 2005 08:25 PM

Being 56, I have clear memory of viewing The many loves of Dobie Gillis and thought Thalia Menninger the jaded 17 year old played by Tuesday Weld was totally wonderful ( a sort of junior Barbara Stanwyk). Dobie did his pondering by a Rodin The Thinker statue, and was adored by The First Feminist Zelda Gilroy. For a young teenager in country Victoria, the jazzy music was only one aspect of this show's Pandora's Box of cultural inspiration.
Posted by Brownie at February 28, 2005 11:28 PM

I saw an episode on that David Lyle show 'Golden Years of TV" once. Enjoyed it - but wish I could see more. (Of the whole genre)
And apparently Dobie was on Regional TV (Ballarat) until the early seventies? There used to be compensations for being un-networked. I remember seeing "That Girl" in Gippsland in the early 90's.
Posted by boynton at March 1, 2005 01:34 PM

A message to 20th Century Fox...........

PLEASE, release a The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
box set!!!!!!!!!! Thanks, Ray
Posted by Ray Bradley at January 1, 2006 05:55 PM

A message to 20th Century Fox...........

PLEASE, release a The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
box set!!!!!!!!!! Thanks, Ray
Posted by Ray Bradley at January 1, 2006 05:55 PM

I saw a "Bonanza" box set the other day while I was browsing- so hopefully some of the 60's sitcoms will follow...
"The Patty Duke show" would be on my list
Posted by boynton at January 2, 2006 08:55 PM

flash cards

Found my way to these flash cards. Quite mesmeric. Some favourites:

Abbreviations for Doctors and Nurses

The pageant of world history Ch.20 People

Animal Farm and the symbolis found in it

Phobias


and at another site, see study and take the high speed slide show:

anne sexton and betty

hover craft

I like the odd curly question at Trivia. It's always good to cover the gaps in your knowledge about hovercrafts.

The theory behind one of the most successful inventions of the 20th century, the Hovercraft, was originally tested in 1955 using an empty KiteKat cat food tin inside a coffee tin, an industrial air blower and a pair of kitchen scales. (source)

He became enthralled by the idea of the hovercraft, which would eliminate the friction of water by elevating a boat on a cushion of air. The first model consisted of a cat food can inside a coffee can in a bucket, powered by a vacuum cleaner. He obtained a patent for a two-foot prototype and coined the name “hovercraft” for it. Soon he was walking around with a two-foot long model on a leash that followed him like a buoyant dog.(source)

Ultra-Simple Hovercraft Can lift several adults!

Entry level hovercraft

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Comments: hover craft

That question sucked!
Posted by Tony.T at February 25, 2005 11:38 AM

A knowledge vacuum?

The question should have been:
Who was the 31st U.S President.
Posted by boynton at February 25, 2005 12:32 PM

Mmmm, hovercraft.

Got that close to crossing the Channel on a Saunders Roe-N4, but for the British Hovercraft Corporation scrappin' em. ("Hovercraft? The fuel consumption of a plane coupled with the speed of a ferry. What's to like?")

They just couldn't see the romance of the thing. Bastards!
Posted by Nabakov at February 26, 2005 05:44 AM

Was the romance to do with the (original lower)skirt line?

http://members.lycos.co.uk/bartieshover/srn4.htm

Maybe I need to brush up my knowledge. Our question only concerned the words "English inventor" + "Wife's vaccum cleaner" ... Yes there were sniggers but the answer eluded us.
Posted by boynton at February 26, 2005 12:02 PM

"I like the odd curly question at Trivia"

Like?

Q: Please mime Shirley Temple's hair do.
Posted by Francis Xavier Holden at February 26, 2005 06:09 PM

A: I think I do that trying to think without thinking.

(The real Miss Boynton of the film would possibly upbraid her young charge for such stealing-the- limelight behaviour at Trivia. Curly Shirley would just run away from the Big Top again)
Posted by boynton at February 27, 2005 08:32 PM

The Hoover Vacuum Company had a model named The Constellation in the early 60's and the body of the machine was hemispherical and hovered "on a cushion of air' above the carpet - I wish I had one now they were a scream.
Posted by Brownie at February 28, 2005 11:33 PM

Yes I'd like a vintage one too:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.linnell/sso/vacuums%20canister.html

But apparently the idea has been revived:

http://engadget.com/entry/6561357478278770/
Posted by boynton at March 1, 2005 01:56 PM

No research needed here. SRN1 Built by Thorneycroft at Cowes, Isle of Wight, Eng. I actually had a (Ryde) ride on it , 'Weird'. In 2000 I remember a H/Craft commuter service which crossed from Ryde IOW, to Clarence pier Southsea near POMpey (Portsmouth)Where the first fleeters hailed from. Also Mary Spencer.Who was quite a nice bit of Skirt in her day too, still luvs ya Mary.

What was brown and steamy and came out of cowes backwards?
Posted by John Leonard Spencer at March 2, 2005 07:44 PM

That joke never seemed to work when transferred to our Cowes.
The ferry was blue and white, as I recall.
Posted by boynton at March 3, 2005 09:27 AM

Meaning in Vic? Checking the colour of IOW Ferries, the main colour beige, a sort of brown when helped by smoke and weathering.
Posted by John Leonard S pencer at March 3, 2005 12:05 PM

Makes sense now, in an IOW way.

Yes, people used to say this (or some variation that I've forgotton) about Cowes, Victoria. 3922. Maybe the local version left out the colour.

Then again, "green" could work. But I don't think the Seal Rocks or Stony Point ferry corresponds.


Posted by boynton at March 3, 2005 12:15 PM