Friday, October 20, 2006

A pretty kettle of fish

I've had a quiet day in today, just me and my difference engine, and a nice claret breathing sweetly for later, with some cold cuts, I'm told, in the pantry too. Amongst the things that have caught my fancy have been these, which I hope you may find worthy of your perusal.

First of all, in spite of what we may think of our colonial cousins, they sometimes throw up the odd gem. Over at TayTV, I've been enjoying the comments of a Mr Keith Olbermann, who seems to be sparky young fellow, with plenty to say for himself. Throw away your television itself is spiffing too - they have a Top Ten documentaries section, which includes that nice Mr Dawkins's recent televisual treat. And speaking of that nice Mr Dawkins, this is rather good too. TayTV also have Penn and Teller. Nice.

Meanwhile, the moving television beckons tonight, so don't throw it away just yet. QI, of course, continues (with a super performance from Ronni Ancona, doing an impression of my Great-Aunt Georgina. I wonder if she knows her? Uncanny, if she doesn't), but Mr Schama is out tonight too, telling us all about the life and times of Michelangelo Merisi.

You may already know this, but the Complete Works of Charles Darwin are now available for all to view. For free.

On the evolutionary theme, have you heard about this whey-faced loon's barmy idea? Luckily, proper boffins and top scientists are close at hand. Phew.

Speaking of whey-faced loons, here are a few more insults to add to your armoury. Use them well, use them often, but do use them.

Fun with microscopes.

The War against Trevor (unfortunate acronym alert) and The Taxis of Elvis is getting out of hand. These figures, courtesy of Mr Bywater (yes, that Mr Bywater), certainly made me think.

Finally, Leonardo at the V & A. Make sure you see the animations.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Friday the Thirteenth


Have you ever wonder what the world's most expensive whatever was? Learn the price, but not the value, of all sorts of whatevers here.

"It has been a common saying of physicians in England, that a cucumber should be well sliced, and dressed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out, as good for nothing."
Today's recommended literary treat is Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi's Anecdotes of the late Samuel Johnson. Then pop yourself across to the Samuel Johnson sound bites page for more Johnsonian japery.

I also like Shakespeare searched.

This is fun. How to carve grotesque pumpkins. Hallowe'en is just around the corner.

But will we get there? Not according to Nikolai Fedorovsky.

Friday, October 06, 2006

Jake's thing

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone - Jake on the Box and Jake Thackray His Songs on BBC4 at 21.00 today. Let best beef be eaten.

Spem in Alium

I was reminded of Janet Cardiff's Forty Part Motet the other day, which I saw (heard?) at the Liverpool Tate several years ago. After rooting about in the Music Room for a while, I found my copy of Tallis's Spem in Alium, and I am still listening to it today, it's so fine.

So why not wait until the sun's over the yardarm (bearing in mind that it's over it somewhere in the world), have someone pour you a tumbler of Armagnac, put your feet up and relax.

Maybe ponder on this, though.