I've discovered a wonderful new TV programme called Jane and the Dragon. It's about (ostensibly) a girl who wants to train to be a knight when everyone else, including her mother and father, wants to pigeonhole her into being a lady-in-waiting like her mother. Even her friends aren't sure about her ambition, but at least the rules are applied fairly by Sir Theodore, although he is a daft old ... knight. So she sets out to kill the dragon but instead befriends it and brings it back to the castle. Which isn't always appreciated as it should be.
Why she wants to be a knight when the examples around are less than honourable beats me, but I suppose it's better than being a lady-in-waiting, even if the young princess who smells of lavender is quite nice really.
There's a website although Jester hasn't fully finished it, so no link here. Google it and you'll find it. Programme is Saturday and Sunday mornings on Five.
In other news, I'm hoping to meet a man with seven wives.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Rock Your World
According to New Scientist, researchers have been making recordings to show what sounds come out like on other worlds, in preparation for sending recording equipment there. Atmosphere density and composition changes the harmonics. So now they know what Smoke on the Water sounds like on Venus and Titan. ("I should have doen thunder, but I couldn't resist" says the producer.)
On Venus it's much deeper and punchier and on Titan it's much louder. So that's next holiday sorted.
On Venus it's much deeper and punchier and on Titan it's much louder. So that's next holiday sorted.
Friday, August 10, 2007
A British Champion
Who says chess isn't exciting?
This afternoon is the last day of the British Championship and I doubt it's ever been so tense in the last round. The two leaders are the number 8 and 12 seeds, by half a point over numbers 1, 3, 4, 7, 10 and 11. 5 and 9 are half a point behind those two and number 2 seed is off the pace (!) a further half point behind. Now 12 is playing 10, 7 v 8, 1 v4 and 3 v 11. Any of these can therefore finish up first or equal first if the results go their way.
I've been watching live the last few days as Jacob Aagaard (12) has tried to blow a colossal lead. At 6.5 out of 7 he looked like a winner all the way; after 1 point from the next 3 games he's been demoted to Board 2, but is still guaranteed at least a share of first place (with up to one other) if he wins, and a draw will do it unless the game on board 1 is a win for White (potential for up to a four-way tie, if boards 3 and 4 are decisive one way or the other. A draw can't give him the title outright). Another defeat will leave him nowhere, relatively.
I note that Jacob has played (including this afternoon's game) the players currently lying in positions 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10. So I think he'll deserve it if he wins. Averaging the gradings of opponents, he has played the highest average of anyone, equal with the number 4 seed, Nick Pert. Jacob drew with the number 1 seed and beat numbers 3, 4, 5 and 9.
Jacob plays under the Scottish flag. The Scots do seem to have a lock on the championship in recent years .... (Famous last words.)
UPDATE:
Well every bit as thrilling as anticipated. No short draws with so much at stake. Aagaard won a pawn at the cost of an open g-file to his king, and contrived to lose the exchange. Pawn for the exchange then, but pressure against his king-side ....
Rowson beat Pert, so that's one player on 8. Hebden plugging away, but lost his a-pawn and facing an advanced passed d-pawn ... (which disappears with surprising speed)
On board one Gordon, needing a win for 8.5 to overtake Rowson, had a pawn for the exchange ... but I was never convinced his attack was going anywhere. Aagaard I felt could always resist the pressure but one slip and it would be over. Much tense manoeuvring.
Suddenly Kosten gets two rooks round the back of Gordon's defence, whose bishop is pinned to his queen and behind that the king. But the Black king is suddenly exposed ....
Howell beats Williams with 25 seconds left on his clock. (You can make a lot of moves in 25 seconds.)
I don't understand all the pawn captures in Hebden-Haslinger but it looks drawish, two bishops v bishop and knight. Yes, there it goes, in 62 moves. And Aagaard has two passed rook pawns. Now you don't see that too often. He must win, surely? Yep, thought so. Resignation after the second time control, move 60. Both players down to last two or three minutes before that. So can Gordon break through? I didn't think so. Drawn on move 61 - Haslinger can repeat moves and Gordon can't afford not to.
The winner is Aagaard, after all. I'm pleased for him.
Second equal, Gordon, from Oldham, and Rowson from, er, Aberdeen?
This afternoon is the last day of the British Championship and I doubt it's ever been so tense in the last round. The two leaders are the number 8 and 12 seeds, by half a point over numbers 1, 3, 4, 7, 10 and 11. 5 and 9 are half a point behind those two and number 2 seed is off the pace (!) a further half point behind. Now 12 is playing 10, 7 v 8, 1 v4 and 3 v 11. Any of these can therefore finish up first or equal first if the results go their way.
I've been watching live the last few days as Jacob Aagaard (12) has tried to blow a colossal lead. At 6.5 out of 7 he looked like a winner all the way; after 1 point from the next 3 games he's been demoted to Board 2, but is still guaranteed at least a share of first place (with up to one other) if he wins, and a draw will do it unless the game on board 1 is a win for White (potential for up to a four-way tie, if boards 3 and 4 are decisive one way or the other. A draw can't give him the title outright). Another defeat will leave him nowhere, relatively.
I note that Jacob has played (including this afternoon's game) the players currently lying in positions 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10. So I think he'll deserve it if he wins. Averaging the gradings of opponents, he has played the highest average of anyone, equal with the number 4 seed, Nick Pert. Jacob drew with the number 1 seed and beat numbers 3, 4, 5 and 9.
Jacob plays under the Scottish flag. The Scots do seem to have a lock on the championship in recent years .... (Famous last words.)
UPDATE:
Well every bit as thrilling as anticipated. No short draws with so much at stake. Aagaard won a pawn at the cost of an open g-file to his king, and contrived to lose the exchange. Pawn for the exchange then, but pressure against his king-side ....
Rowson beat Pert, so that's one player on 8. Hebden plugging away, but lost his a-pawn and facing an advanced passed d-pawn ... (which disappears with surprising speed)
On board one Gordon, needing a win for 8.5 to overtake Rowson, had a pawn for the exchange ... but I was never convinced his attack was going anywhere. Aagaard I felt could always resist the pressure but one slip and it would be over. Much tense manoeuvring.
Suddenly Kosten gets two rooks round the back of Gordon's defence, whose bishop is pinned to his queen and behind that the king. But the Black king is suddenly exposed ....
Howell beats Williams with 25 seconds left on his clock. (You can make a lot of moves in 25 seconds.)
I don't understand all the pawn captures in Hebden-Haslinger but it looks drawish, two bishops v bishop and knight. Yes, there it goes, in 62 moves. And Aagaard has two passed rook pawns. Now you don't see that too often. He must win, surely? Yep, thought so. Resignation after the second time control, move 60. Both players down to last two or three minutes before that. So can Gordon break through? I didn't think so. Drawn on move 61 - Haslinger can repeat moves and Gordon can't afford not to.
The winner is Aagaard, after all. I'm pleased for him.
Second equal, Gordon, from Oldham, and Rowson from, er, Aberdeen?
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Strange Echoes
Well it isn't exactly a pick-up truck, but I have this curious feeling that I should get a pink carnation and drive to the levee ...
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Off The Road
Been on it quite a bit lately. In hope, in frustration, in reflection, in anticipation. There will be journeys in a few weeks but now it's time to sit still. Don't suppose that'll stop me, though.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
New Game
"Fagin's Gang" was playtested yesterday with some popularity. Stealing is harder than you think. You have to be in the right place at the right time - not easy with the policemen moving you on and the other players stealing your turf. Deceptively simple and frustratingly complex.
A winner.
A winner.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Rain rain go away come again another day
I suppose it really was a bit much putting the beer festival on Friday the 13th. Asking for it, you might say. Wetter outside than in, and so forth. Still Saturday was nice, made up for it, beer hadn't all run out, with a good band who seemed to have borrowed my record collection at one point. Get your tickets early next year.
And today is St. Swithin's Day. Which is not going to be good news for all those living on flood plains.
And today is St. Swithin's Day. Which is not going to be good news for all those living on flood plains.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Travelling On
The Black Knight returned from the Great Archery Tourney at the Seaside. He unstringed his bow, broke his arrows and burned his quiver. He took off his armour, which had never really fit anyway, and gave it to his squire.
He kept the sword, for he'd need that, and he bought a new lance. He whitewashed the shield and repainted it in rainbow colours. Ready now.
He kept the sword, for he'd need that, and he bought a new lance. He whitewashed the shield and repainted it in rainbow colours. Ready now.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Lances Leaving
The Black Knight turned his horse around for a last look at the Great Castle. From here he could just see the Keep. As the last of the light glinted off his broken lance, a fire could be seen in the Great Hall. It seemed smaller and darker somehow.
The Black Knight sat still for a moment and reflected.
The jousting was complete, the banquet demolished. The parchments were all scribed and the banners furled. Not all the maidens were rescued and not all the dragons slain, and there were a few ghosts left too, but a quest had been made. A promise honoured. The Great Book held the story.
The enchanted cave, off to one side, was silent, waiting for another to carry the Golden Bough. In the twilight it looked more like a tomb. The Black Knight sighed as he remembered his days as a squire. He'd carried the standard once. No more. The flags were bright then, the days long, the armour polished, and the carousing ... oh, the carousing.
In the distance, from the stables, a soft neigh. Or was it imagination? No, it was the wind of change rustling the trees.
The Black Knight dipped his lance briefly in mute (and mock) salute, drew his broadsword and hefted it against an unseen enemy in the night, then galloped off without a backward glance. A mace at his side, an open field, witches in their lair, what else would be found?
There are always more windmills to tilt at.
The Black Knight sat still for a moment and reflected.
The jousting was complete, the banquet demolished. The parchments were all scribed and the banners furled. Not all the maidens were rescued and not all the dragons slain, and there were a few ghosts left too, but a quest had been made. A promise honoured. The Great Book held the story.
The enchanted cave, off to one side, was silent, waiting for another to carry the Golden Bough. In the twilight it looked more like a tomb. The Black Knight sighed as he remembered his days as a squire. He'd carried the standard once. No more. The flags were bright then, the days long, the armour polished, and the carousing ... oh, the carousing.
In the distance, from the stables, a soft neigh. Or was it imagination? No, it was the wind of change rustling the trees.
The Black Knight dipped his lance briefly in mute (and mock) salute, drew his broadsword and hefted it against an unseen enemy in the night, then galloped off without a backward glance. A mace at his side, an open field, witches in their lair, what else would be found?
There are always more windmills to tilt at.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
What have I been doing?
I went to the library and they showed me some books but they didn't teach me how to read.
I went to art college and we built a sculpture because they assumed I knew how to paint.
I went to football academy and we talked about the offside rule but I had to go and practice taking penalties by myself.
I went to a driving instructor and he showed me the highway code but he wouldn't let me drive.
I went to the chess club and we played draughts.
I went to a beauty parlour and they sold me a lipstick but it didn't make me beautiful.
I went to ballet school and they danced for me.
I went to church and they gave me bread and wine but didn't show me how to pray.
I went to the circus and they painted a face on me but I didn't feel like a clown.
So now when I go to the opera I can't sing and when I go to the races I can't ride and when I go shopping I don't know what to buy.
I went to art college and we built a sculpture because they assumed I knew how to paint.
I went to football academy and we talked about the offside rule but I had to go and practice taking penalties by myself.
I went to a driving instructor and he showed me the highway code but he wouldn't let me drive.
I went to the chess club and we played draughts.
I went to a beauty parlour and they sold me a lipstick but it didn't make me beautiful.
I went to ballet school and they danced for me.
I went to church and they gave me bread and wine but didn't show me how to pray.
I went to the circus and they painted a face on me but I didn't feel like a clown.
So now when I go to the opera I can't sing and when I go to the races I can't ride and when I go shopping I don't know what to buy.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Fool Me Once Shame on You, Fool Me Twice Shame on Me
Aphorism quoted by Captain James T. Kirk but I don't remember the episode title (any geeks listening?). Kirk was not shamed, as he recognised the bluff the second time, but I was. Oops.
Situation is advertised as having character X with (perhaps) a small element of Y, but the reality is rather the other way round - large amount of Y is expected and is in truth the primary objective, while character X is subsidiary, possibly political, and cynically looked at might be a way to give a gloss, a superficial attractiveness, to the otherwise ordinary dullness (and financial rewards) of the tasks demanded in fulfilling element Y so that a better class of applicant might be interested, or so that it might be presented that way. Scent of fish abounds.
The point is that it has happened before (with the same elements X and Y) to me, almost identically. The second time, the bluff has to be more plausibly constructed - quite plausibly, in fact, good job etc - but should I have spotted it? There were some clues that should have been more closely scrutinised (well I was sick).
Any third attempts will be regarded most carefully if they appear to come from God himself.
I did at least find out the true situation, albeit very late in proceedings, and endeavour was not without value. Still somewhat of a disappointment from a seemingly august body of men and women of supposed integrity, not to say faith. But I'm happy not to have got the job (if you can ever say that).
Situation is advertised as having character X with (perhaps) a small element of Y, but the reality is rather the other way round - large amount of Y is expected and is in truth the primary objective, while character X is subsidiary, possibly political, and cynically looked at might be a way to give a gloss, a superficial attractiveness, to the otherwise ordinary dullness (and financial rewards) of the tasks demanded in fulfilling element Y so that a better class of applicant might be interested, or so that it might be presented that way. Scent of fish abounds.
The point is that it has happened before (with the same elements X and Y) to me, almost identically. The second time, the bluff has to be more plausibly constructed - quite plausibly, in fact, good job etc - but should I have spotted it? There were some clues that should have been more closely scrutinised (well I was sick).
Any third attempts will be regarded most carefully if they appear to come from God himself.
I did at least find out the true situation, albeit very late in proceedings, and endeavour was not without value. Still somewhat of a disappointment from a seemingly august body of men and women of supposed integrity, not to say faith. But I'm happy not to have got the job (if you can ever say that).
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Not Again
Well on the third day I am in recovery from what the doctors call "non-specific not-well-ness". This is apparently a technical term meaning "we don't know what caused it and we can't do anything about it, but there seems to be a lot of it about."
Twenty years in schools gave me an immune response so ferocious that nothing could get a foothold. Not anymore obviously. I have now been unwell twice in seven months when before twice in seven years was unthinkable. It is giving the essay problems. Two days lost to illness and three to interviews all within a fortnight (the last fortnight before the deadline) may cause some delay ...
Twenty years in schools gave me an immune response so ferocious that nothing could get a foothold. Not anymore obviously. I have now been unwell twice in seven months when before twice in seven years was unthinkable. It is giving the essay problems. Two days lost to illness and three to interviews all within a fortnight (the last fortnight before the deadline) may cause some delay ...
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Vinyl is Back
... how else can one greet the news that the vinyl 7" - how retro is that, thank you Jack White - of Icky Thump sold out at Virgin in less than a week? (OK they didn't exactly get sent hundreds).
And I didn't get one ...
But I did get some operatic metal and some Finnish as well as the new QOTSA and Biffy Clyro, so not entirely a wasted trip. The album of Icky Thump is out tomorrow.
And I didn't get one ...
But I did get some operatic metal and some Finnish as well as the new QOTSA and Biffy Clyro, so not entirely a wasted trip. The album of Icky Thump is out tomorrow.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Not so fresh in Bristol
The Fresh Expressions training day has been cancelled due to lack of support. Come on, people, what is going on? Very disappointing.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Nice to Feel Wanted
The application forms and the interview invitations are currently in one-to-one correspondence standing at two each. Well. it's a start, anyway.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
The Black Knight
(Cue thundering guitar riff)
Black knight is not right.
I don't feel so bright.
I don't care to sit tight.
Maybe I'll find on the way down the line
That I'm free, free to be me.
Black knight is a long way from home.
Who needs a dark tree?
Who wants a rough sea?
(Chorus:) Black knight, black knight, we don't need a black knight.
I can't see - dark night.
Black knight is a long way from home.
With apologies to Ian Gillan - the master. Who knew?
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
The Dangers of Speaking with Your Mouth Full
Oh dear, getting behind with the posting. Just a short one for today. Went down the social club and had a very interesting chat with the Secretary of the Temperance Club about the difference between methylated spirits and ethyl alcohol. Unfortunately she was well over the limit herself. Never mind, eh, do as I say and not as I do?
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Literary Tricks
(Re)discovered a figure of speech on "Eggheads" yesterday and wanted to compose a few. Two to go on with:
"Time ran out and so did the dog."
"I cleaned out the garage first and the casino second."
Eggheads called it zeugma but Wikipedia says this is syllepsis, a sub-category.
"Time ran out and so did the dog."
"I cleaned out the garage first and the casino second."
Eggheads called it zeugma but Wikipedia says this is syllepsis, a sub-category.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Quiet Day Quotes
"It was my grandfather that taught me how to kill."
"The body is like the benefit system; designed to fail you."
(Contributions welcomed.)
Edit: and the image of the day is M... in his woolly jumper modelling the "drug baron" look.
"The body is like the benefit system; designed to fail you."
(Contributions welcomed.)
Edit: and the image of the day is M... in his woolly jumper modelling the "drug baron" look.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Suffering Schillebeeckx
(Catching up on Leading Thinkers)
Anyone who gets up the nose of the Pope is all right by me.
Revelation is to be mediated through experience (but not reduced to it). The subjective/objective is a false dichotomy.
Mystery, the unknown, mysterion (Graham and I thought they were in Captain Scarlet, but apparently that was somebody else.)
Rightness of belief must be expressed in a dialectic of theory and experience. God is a transformer (where do all the cartoon references fit in?) Jesus is an eschatological prophet, the paradigm of humanity.
Must live the story of Jesus to know the God of whom Jesus witnesses. Er.
It's all about being connected.
Is he just a 19th Century liberal? Or is he really undermining authority (stop cheering at the back)? And the ontological nature of the priesthood? (More cheers, suppressed.)
And just what is orthopraxis?
Anyone who gets up the nose of the Pope is all right by me.
Revelation is to be mediated through experience (but not reduced to it). The subjective/objective is a false dichotomy.
Mystery, the unknown, mysterion (Graham and I thought they were in Captain Scarlet, but apparently that was somebody else.)
Rightness of belief must be expressed in a dialectic of theory and experience. God is a transformer (where do all the cartoon references fit in?) Jesus is an eschatological prophet, the paradigm of humanity.
Must live the story of Jesus to know the God of whom Jesus witnesses. Er.
It's all about being connected.
Is he just a 19th Century liberal? Or is he really undermining authority (stop cheering at the back)? And the ontological nature of the priesthood? (More cheers, suppressed.)
And just what is orthopraxis?
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