OK, so I don't post regularly right now - most of my online time is spent at the Maybe Logic Academy, and the few hundred words a day (I promised myself I would write) all go into online courses I am doing there, as well as posts to the general forum (you can join in for $60). Even if you don't want to read/write in the forum, you can go visit to see 'story of the day' - and today's is "17 Reasons Not to Slit Your Wrists" by Michael Moore. Rather than ask you to click through twice, I'll post it here:
Dear Friends,
Ok, it sucks. Really sucks. But before you go and cash it all in, let's, in the words of Monty Python, 'always look on the bright side of life!' There IS some good news from Tuesday's election. Here are 17 reasons not to slit your wrists:
1. It is against the law for George W. Bush to run for president again.
2. Bush's victory was the NARROWEST win for a sitting president since Woodrow Wilson in 1916.
3. The only age group in which the majority voted for Kerry was young adults (Kerry: 54%, Bush: 44%), proving once again that your parents are always wrong and you should never listen to them.
4. In spite of Bush's win, the majority of Americans still think the country is headed in the wrong direction (56%), think the war wasn't worth fighting (51%), and don't approve of the job George W. Bush is doing (52%). (Note to foreigners: Don't try to figure this one out. It's an American thing, like Pop Tarts.)
5. The Republicans will not have a filibuster- proof 60-seat majority in the Senate. If the Democrats do their job, Bush won't be able to pack the Supreme Court with right-wing ideologues. Did I say "if the Democrats do their job?" Um, maybe better to scratch this one.
6. Michigan voted for Kerry! So did the entire Northeast, the birthplace of our democracy. So did 6 of the 8 Great Lakes States. And the whole West Coast! Plus Hawaii. Ok, that's a start. We've got most of the fresh water, all of Broadway, and Mt. St. Helens. We can dehydrate them or bury them in lava. And no more show tunes!
7. Once again we are reminded that the buckeye is a nut, and not just any old nut -- a poisonous nut. A great nation was felled by a poisonous nut. May Ohio State pay dearly this Saturday when it faces Michigan.
8. 88% of Bush's support came from white voters. In 50 years, America will no longer have a white majority. Hey, 50 years isn't such a long time! If you're ten years old and reading this, your golden years will be truly golden and you will be well cared for in your old age.
9. Gays, thanks to the ballot measures passed on Tuesday, cannot get married in 11 new states. Thank God. Just think of all those wedding gifts we won't have to buy now.
10. Five more African Americans were elected as members of Congress, including the return of Cynthia McKinney of Georgia. It's always good to have more blacks in there fighting for us and doing the job our candidates can't.
11. The CEO of Coors was defeated for Senate in Colorado. Drink up!
12. Admit it: We like the Bush twins and we don't want them to go away.
13. At the state legislative level, Democrats picked up a net of at least 3 chambers in Tuesday's elections. Of the 98 partisan-controlled state legislative chambers (house/assembly and senate), Democrats went into the 2004 elections in control of 44 chambers, Republicans controlled 53 chambers, and 1 chamber was tied. After Tuesday, Democrats now control 47 chambers, Republicans control 49 chambers, 1 chamber is tied and 1 chamber (Montana House) is still undecided.
14. Bush is now a lame duck president. He will have no greater moment than the one he's having this week. It's all downhill for him from here on out -- and, more significantly, he's just not going to want to do all the hard work that will be expected of him. It'll be like everyone's last month in 12th grade -- you've already made it, so it's party time! Perhaps he'll treat the next four years like a permanent Friday, spending even more time at the ranch or in Kennebunkport. And why shouldn't he? He's already proved his point, avenged his father and kicked our ass.
15. Should Bush decide to show up to work and take this country down a very dark road, it is also just as likely that either of the following two scenarios will happen: a) Now that he doesn't ever need to pander to the Christian conservatives again to get elected, someone may whisper in his ear that he should spend these last four years building "a legacy" so that history will render a kinder verdict on him and thus he will not push for too aggressive a right-wing agenda; or b) He will become so cocky and arrogant -- and thus, reckless -- that he will commit a blunder of such major proportions that even his own party will have to remove him from office.
16. There are nearly 300 million Americans - - 200 million of them of voting age. We only lost by three and a half million! That's not a landslide -- it means we're almost there. Imagine losing by 20 million. If you had 58 yards to go before you reached the goal line and then you barreled down 55 of those yards, would you stop on the three yard line, pick up the ball and go home crying -- especially when you get to start the next down on the three yard line? Of course not! Buck up! Have hope! More sports analogies are coming!!!
17. Finally and most importantly, over 55 million Americans voted for the candidate dubbed "The #1 Liberal in the Senate." That's more than the total number of voters who voted for either Reagan, Bush I, Clinton or Gore. Again, more people voted for Kerry than Reagan. If the media are looking for a trend it should be this -- that so many Americans were, for the first time since Kennedy, willing to vote for an out- and-out liberal. The country has always been filled with evangelicals -- that is not news. What IS news is that so many people have shifted toward a Massachusetts liberal. In fact, that's BIG news. Which means, don't expect the mainstream media, the ones who brought you the Iraq War, to ever report the real truth about November 2, 2004. In fact, it's better that they don't. We'll need the element of surprise in 2008.
Feeling better? I hope so. As my friend Mort wrote me yesterday, "My Romanian grandfather used to say to me, 'Remember, Morton, this is such a wonderful country -- it doesn't even need a president!'" But it needs us. Rest up, I'll write you again tomorrow.
Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
www.michaelmoore.com
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
From Pravda
Theo van Gogh was killed for his views and support of freedom
03:34 2004-11-03
Theo van Gogh, the Dutch artist's great grand-nephew and a provocative filmmaker, was shot dead in a street in Amsterdam yesterday, police said, apparently because of a film he made about Islamic violence against women.
Van Gogh, 47, was stabbed and then shot several times by a man who witnesses said arrived on a bicycle as the film-maker was getting out of his car outside council offices in the Linnaeusstraat, in the east of the city, at 8.45am, a city police spokeswoman, Elly Florax, said. He was dead by the time ambulances arrived.
The suspected killer, a 26-year-old man with dual Dutch and Moroccan nationality, fled into the nearby Oosterpark and was later arrested after a gunfight with police that left an officer and a bystander wounded. The man was last night under police guard in hospital, being treated for gunshot wounds to the leg.
As the Dutch prime minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, appealed for calm, one witness told Dutch media that the suspect had a long beard and was wearing Islamic or Arabic garb. The Amsterdam public prosecutor said the man had left a letter on Van Gogh's body, but declined to reveal its content until technical and forensic tests had been completed, informs the Guardian Unlimited.
According to the Scotsman, in a report by the Dutch national broadcaster NOS, an unidentified witness who lives in the neighbourhood said she heard six shots and saw a man concealing a gun. She said he walked away slowly, spoke to someone at the edge of the park and then ran. She added that he was wearing a long beard and Islamic garb and appeared to be Arabic or disguised as a Muslim.
Another unidentified witness told Dutch Radio 1 that the killer arrived by bicycle and shot van Gogh as he got out of a car. "He fell backward on the bicycle path and just laid there. The shooter stayed next to him and waited. Waited to make sure he was dead," the witness added.
The killing, which has been widely condemned by Muslim groups, could raise the political temperature in the Netherlands, where security for politicians was stepped up after the killing of the anti-immigration populist Pim Fortuyn ahead of the May 2002 election.
Mr van Gogh, who made a controversial film about Islamic culture, was shot dead as he cycled through the city.
Police say they have arrested a man with joint Dutch-Moroccan nationality.
Instead of holding a wake, protesters were asked by Mr van Gogh's family to make as much noise as possible in support of freedom of speech.
People banged on pots and pans, car horns were honked and whistles blown in response, publishes BBC News.
03:34 2004-11-03
Theo van Gogh, the Dutch artist's great grand-nephew and a provocative filmmaker, was shot dead in a street in Amsterdam yesterday, police said, apparently because of a film he made about Islamic violence against women.
Van Gogh, 47, was stabbed and then shot several times by a man who witnesses said arrived on a bicycle as the film-maker was getting out of his car outside council offices in the Linnaeusstraat, in the east of the city, at 8.45am, a city police spokeswoman, Elly Florax, said. He was dead by the time ambulances arrived.
The suspected killer, a 26-year-old man with dual Dutch and Moroccan nationality, fled into the nearby Oosterpark and was later arrested after a gunfight with police that left an officer and a bystander wounded. The man was last night under police guard in hospital, being treated for gunshot wounds to the leg.
As the Dutch prime minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, appealed for calm, one witness told Dutch media that the suspect had a long beard and was wearing Islamic or Arabic garb. The Amsterdam public prosecutor said the man had left a letter on Van Gogh's body, but declined to reveal its content until technical and forensic tests had been completed, informs the Guardian Unlimited.
According to the Scotsman, in a report by the Dutch national broadcaster NOS, an unidentified witness who lives in the neighbourhood said she heard six shots and saw a man concealing a gun. She said he walked away slowly, spoke to someone at the edge of the park and then ran. She added that he was wearing a long beard and Islamic garb and appeared to be Arabic or disguised as a Muslim.
Another unidentified witness told Dutch Radio 1 that the killer arrived by bicycle and shot van Gogh as he got out of a car. "He fell backward on the bicycle path and just laid there. The shooter stayed next to him and waited. Waited to make sure he was dead," the witness added.
The killing, which has been widely condemned by Muslim groups, could raise the political temperature in the Netherlands, where security for politicians was stepped up after the killing of the anti-immigration populist Pim Fortuyn ahead of the May 2002 election.
Mr van Gogh, who made a controversial film about Islamic culture, was shot dead as he cycled through the city.
Police say they have arrested a man with joint Dutch-Moroccan nationality.
Instead of holding a wake, protesters were asked by Mr van Gogh's family to make as much noise as possible in support of freedom of speech.
People banged on pots and pans, car horns were honked and whistles blown in response, publishes BBC News.
Monday, November 01, 2004
Look, I am a sort of anti-ritual guy. It annoys friends who don't get 'birthday cards' and it annoys people who want me to celebrate 'Xmas'. One thing I ask, though, is that if you are going to do rituals (and ask me to join in) then please be precise. Don't have your birthday party on 'the nearest Saturday'; don't start nagging me about Xmas in October, etc.
When I grew up in the UK I was told that November 5th and the bonfires were a drift/shift from the pagan Halloween date. Same bonfire, co-opted for political/religious reasons.
OK, but it wasn't the pagans who brought Halloween back in the UK, it was the capitalists (unless they're the same?) giving us the USA's 'Trick or Treat'. 'We' also had Mother's Day already in place, but 'they' gave us Father's Day and Granny's Day and you name it (buy a card for a couple of quid).
So, although I am not a pagan, I will point out (from my past astrological study) that if you must do rituals then at least get them right (empower them):
"Halloween's origin is ancient and astronomical. Since the fifth century BC, Halloween has been celebrated as a cross-quarter day, a day halfway between an equinox (equal day / equal night) and a solstice (minimum day / maximum night in the northern hemisphere). With our modern calendar, however, the real cross-quarter day will occur next week. Another cross-quarter day is Groundhog's Day. Halloween's modern celebration retains historic roots in dressing to scare away the spirits of the dead."
When I grew up in the UK I was told that November 5th and the bonfires were a drift/shift from the pagan Halloween date. Same bonfire, co-opted for political/religious reasons.
OK, but it wasn't the pagans who brought Halloween back in the UK, it was the capitalists (unless they're the same?) giving us the USA's 'Trick or Treat'. 'We' also had Mother's Day already in place, but 'they' gave us Father's Day and Granny's Day and you name it (buy a card for a couple of quid).
So, although I am not a pagan, I will point out (from my past astrological study) that if you must do rituals then at least get them right (empower them):
"Halloween's origin is ancient and astronomical. Since the fifth century BC, Halloween has been celebrated as a cross-quarter day, a day halfway between an equinox (equal day / equal night) and a solstice (minimum day / maximum night in the northern hemisphere). With our modern calendar, however, the real cross-quarter day will occur next week. Another cross-quarter day is Groundhog's Day. Halloween's modern celebration retains historic roots in dressing to scare away the spirits of the dead."
Saturday, October 30, 2004
It's been a bad week
It started out OK, but I got a sensitive tooth that then went to full-blown pain and swelling and etc (let's not go there, huh) - suffice to say I am off work (phone support isn't much good from someone talking like The Elephant Man).
Haven't slept well, grumpy and depressed - hard to read or watch tv (headache) and so on - so not even fun time off.
You see - you didn't need to know this, did you? Shall I throw in that my friend Mick died ten years ago today, and we miss him as much today as then (Time may heal the wound, but the scar remains).
All this and the UK have now adopted the USA's Trick or Treat, as well as our own Firework Night, so now we have a whole week of hysteria and fireworks, etc.
Just be grateful you don't have to share a house with me right now.....
Haven't slept well, grumpy and depressed - hard to read or watch tv (headache) and so on - so not even fun time off.
You see - you didn't need to know this, did you? Shall I throw in that my friend Mick died ten years ago today, and we miss him as much today as then (Time may heal the wound, but the scar remains).
All this and the UK have now adopted the USA's Trick or Treat, as well as our own Firework Night, so now we have a whole week of hysteria and fireworks, etc.
Just be grateful you don't have to share a house with me right now.....
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
A grumpy old man after my own heart - H.L. Mencken
Mencken's Creed
I believe that religion, generally speaking, has been a curse to mankind - that its modest and greatly overestimated services on the ethical side have been more than overcome by the damage it has done to clear and honest thinking.
I believe that no discovery of fact, however trivial, can be wholly useless to the race, and that no trumpeting of falsehood, however virtuous in intent, can be anything but vicious.
I believe that all government is evil, in that all government must necessarily make war upon liberty...
I believe that the evidence for immortality is no better than the evidence of witches, and deserves no more respect.
I believe in the complete freedom of thought and speech...
I believe in the capacity of man to conquer his world, and to find out what it is made of, and how it is run.
I believe in the reality of progress.
I - But the whole thing, after all, may be put very simply. I believe that it is better to tell the truth than to lie. I believe that it is better to be free than to be a slave. And I believe that it is better to know than be ignorant.
I believe that religion, generally speaking, has been a curse to mankind - that its modest and greatly overestimated services on the ethical side have been more than overcome by the damage it has done to clear and honest thinking.
I believe that no discovery of fact, however trivial, can be wholly useless to the race, and that no trumpeting of falsehood, however virtuous in intent, can be anything but vicious.
I believe that all government is evil, in that all government must necessarily make war upon liberty...
I believe that the evidence for immortality is no better than the evidence of witches, and deserves no more respect.
I believe in the complete freedom of thought and speech...
I believe in the capacity of man to conquer his world, and to find out what it is made of, and how it is run.
I believe in the reality of progress.
I - But the whole thing, after all, may be put very simply. I believe that it is better to tell the truth than to lie. I believe that it is better to be free than to be a slave. And I believe that it is better to know than be ignorant.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
A short break
It was delightful to meet up with Yo again, and talk into the night. In the daytime I got to hang out with Tilda, taking long walks around the town, exploring the parks and the beach, or playing at home. I even did a bit of successful charity shop foraging.
I was pretty lucky with the weather, too, catching some rays among the showers.
There is a flurry of Academy work to catch up on, of course, so I am still neglecting regular postings here, or updates to the website.
It will all start again, soon enough.
I was pretty lucky with the weather, too, catching some rays among the showers.
There is a flurry of Academy work to catch up on, of course, so I am still neglecting regular postings here, or updates to the website.
It will all start again, soon enough.
Friday, October 08, 2004
Curb Your Enthusiasm
It's great working in a library - today I noticed we had bought the first series of Curb Your Enthusiasm. We didn't have the UK tv channel that was showing this series, so I have only seen one episode until now.
I knew that Larry David was the mind behind Seinfeld (most specifically portrayed by George) but I didn't know much more. I knew the director was Bob Weide cos I am on his mailing list, and bought his special on W.C.Fields (on video, as I got tired of waiting for his DVD deal to come through), but haven't got the Marx Brothers in a Nutshell yet (still hoping for DVD).
I have just watched the HBO special and the interview, and it is a joy. The Great Man himself, incarnate.
I recommend any and all of this stuff.
Whereas, although I thought Spaced was one of the best new UK comedy tv shows (alongside Black Books) I just didn't 'get' Shaun of the Dead - never been a zombie man myself (or computer games) and it just didn't make the cut, for me. Ran out of jokes, couldn't be a real horror film, didn't even make it as a Hammer Horror send-up of the fears.
Sorry guys.
I knew that Larry David was the mind behind Seinfeld (most specifically portrayed by George) but I didn't know much more. I knew the director was Bob Weide cos I am on his mailing list, and bought his special on W.C.Fields (on video, as I got tired of waiting for his DVD deal to come through), but haven't got the Marx Brothers in a Nutshell yet (still hoping for DVD).
I have just watched the HBO special and the interview, and it is a joy. The Great Man himself, incarnate.
I recommend any and all of this stuff.
Whereas, although I thought Spaced was one of the best new UK comedy tv shows (alongside Black Books) I just didn't 'get' Shaun of the Dead - never been a zombie man myself (or computer games) and it just didn't make the cut, for me. Ran out of jokes, couldn't be a real horror film, didn't even make it as a Hammer Horror send-up of the fears.
Sorry guys.
If voting could change anything they'd make it illegal
Crissie T just sent me this excellent US election voting gag
(before the Brits get too smug, never forget that what they do, we do a few years after...)
(before the Brits get too smug, never forget that what they do, we do a few years after...)
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Creative Writing
I am still writing several hundred words a day (just exercise, like walking 2-3 miles every day)- but I am doing it in the Academy precincts. It's fun though - as I tend to self-censor in this blog, knowing that anyone and all sorts of people might come across it (I don't kid myself that many would seek it out!)
The fun in a restricted area is to let loose a little, with my more crazy or irresponsible thoughts. There is a tolerant gang around, and even if they disagree they do so politely - we haven't had any flame wars yet.
It seems to me a benign group because most of us lack rigid beliefs or taboos. Of course, to people who only feel secure with 'certainty' that means we are shape-shifters, or 'indecisive' or fickle. Most true believers seem to want you to believe the same as them, but if you can't bring yourself to do that you should at least adopt another firm belief. "Stand and fight!" The idea of living without such structures seems to spook the herd - they appear to think of amorality as much worse than immorality (if they can even make that distinction).
The fun in a restricted area is to let loose a little, with my more crazy or irresponsible thoughts. There is a tolerant gang around, and even if they disagree they do so politely - we haven't had any flame wars yet.
It seems to me a benign group because most of us lack rigid beliefs or taboos. Of course, to people who only feel secure with 'certainty' that means we are shape-shifters, or 'indecisive' or fickle. Most true believers seem to want you to believe the same as them, but if you can't bring yourself to do that you should at least adopt another firm belief. "Stand and fight!" The idea of living without such structures seems to spook the herd - they appear to think of amorality as much worse than immorality (if they can even make that distinction).
Monday, October 04, 2004
For those of you who wonder where I am...
Here's one of Bob's postings in the Academy:
THE PROGRESS REPORT http://www.progressreport.org
by David Sirota, Christy Harvey, Judd Legum and Jonathan Baskin
September 13, 2004
Correction: In Friday's Progress Report, we mistakenly said $145 million has been spent by the U.S. government in Iraq. The figure is actually $145 billion. We regret the error.
----------------------------------------------------------
Well, just be more careful in the future. As the late Sen. Dirksen said, "A billion here, a billion there -- pretty soon you're talkin' about REAL money."
RAW
THE PROGRESS REPORT http://www.progressreport.org
by David Sirota, Christy Harvey, Judd Legum and Jonathan Baskin
September 13, 2004
Correction: In Friday's Progress Report, we mistakenly said $145 million has been spent by the U.S. government in Iraq. The figure is actually $145 billion. We regret the error.
----------------------------------------------------------
Well, just be more careful in the future. As the late Sen. Dirksen said, "A billion here, a billion there -- pretty soon you're talkin' about REAL money."
RAW
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Acting as if it matters
Well, if anyone who reads this really does miss a daily column, I am sorry, but now that I am logged into the Maybe Logic Forum, and doing three different courses, I am online a lot, but not really updating the blog or the website at all.
It won't go on for ever, but I am really enjoying it. Brain-stretching time...loads of reading (instead of watching tv) - new friends I don't have to explain everything to every time (shared obsessions and sub-cultural language).
Yeh.
So to family, and Star Wars fans, old juggling mates, and ex's - I'll be back!
It won't go on for ever, but I am really enjoying it. Brain-stretching time...loads of reading (instead of watching tv) - new friends I don't have to explain everything to every time (shared obsessions and sub-cultural language).
Yeh.
So to family, and Star Wars fans, old juggling mates, and ex's - I'll be back!
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Rolling back the years
Looking back through the archives to this time last year (you can too, on the side bar of archives on the right of the screen) I found some fun stuff.
Here's my friend Pete cracking his fire whip (I took some but not all of the pics) - and yes, he teaches whip-cracking. (Workshops available)
"If you can see your path laid out
in front of you step by step, you know
it's not your path. Your own path you
make with every step you take. That's
why it's your path."
--Joseph Campbell
Here's my friend Pete cracking his fire whip (I took some but not all of the pics) - and yes, he teaches whip-cracking. (Workshops available)
"If you can see your path laid out
in front of you step by step, you know
it's not your path. Your own path you
make with every step you take. That's
why it's your path."
--Joseph Campbell
Getting lazy, but that's just because I'm busy...
I saw this interview with Jamie Whyte about sloppy thinking, and posted it to a forum I visit - here's a fragment, as it deserves a wider audience in this world run by 'faith-based organisations' (huh!):
In your book you are quite harsh on religion. Aren't people entitled to their faith?
This is one of my favourite errors. An interesting change has happened, at least in the west. It used to be that people would argue for a particular religious dogma or a clear religious doctrine. That is no longer what happens. The world is increasingly dividing into those who have "faith" and those who don't. It doesn't really matter what the faith is. That is why you now get "faith groups" coming together from all kinds of different religions. The weirdest manifestation of this new tendency is when people say: "I'm not a Christian but I believe in something." Then I say: "Of course, I believe in many things, like there is a chair there and a table. What are you talking about?" And they reply: "Well, you know, something more." But what "more"? What they mean is something more than we have any good reason to believe in.
That really seems to get to you!
What amazes me is that they like to set themselves up as having a slightly finer sensibility than you or me but in fact they are completely intellectually irresponsible. They used to come up with very bad arguments for their faiths but at least they felt that there was something they should provide. Now mere wilfulness has triumphed. This is what I describe as the egocentric approach to truth. You are no longer interested in reality because to do that you have to be pretty rigorous, you have to have evidence or do some experimentation. Rather, beliefs are part of your wardrobe. You've got a style and how dare anybody tell you that your style isn't right. Ideology is seen as simply a matter of taste and as it's not right to tell people that they've got bad taste, so it's not right to tell them that their opinions are false. I'm afraid that the cast of mind of most people is the opposite of scientific.
There's something close to that that you also hate. When people say "there is an awful lot we don't understand" and use that as an argument for believing in something...
The mystery fallacy: it's a mystery therefore I can think whatever I want.
In your book you are quite harsh on religion. Aren't people entitled to their faith?
This is one of my favourite errors. An interesting change has happened, at least in the west. It used to be that people would argue for a particular religious dogma or a clear religious doctrine. That is no longer what happens. The world is increasingly dividing into those who have "faith" and those who don't. It doesn't really matter what the faith is. That is why you now get "faith groups" coming together from all kinds of different religions. The weirdest manifestation of this new tendency is when people say: "I'm not a Christian but I believe in something." Then I say: "Of course, I believe in many things, like there is a chair there and a table. What are you talking about?" And they reply: "Well, you know, something more." But what "more"? What they mean is something more than we have any good reason to believe in.
That really seems to get to you!
What amazes me is that they like to set themselves up as having a slightly finer sensibility than you or me but in fact they are completely intellectually irresponsible. They used to come up with very bad arguments for their faiths but at least they felt that there was something they should provide. Now mere wilfulness has triumphed. This is what I describe as the egocentric approach to truth. You are no longer interested in reality because to do that you have to be pretty rigorous, you have to have evidence or do some experimentation. Rather, beliefs are part of your wardrobe. You've got a style and how dare anybody tell you that your style isn't right. Ideology is seen as simply a matter of taste and as it's not right to tell people that they've got bad taste, so it's not right to tell them that their opinions are false. I'm afraid that the cast of mind of most people is the opposite of scientific.
There's something close to that that you also hate. When people say "there is an awful lot we don't understand" and use that as an argument for believing in something...
The mystery fallacy: it's a mystery therefore I can think whatever I want.
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Support your local library - information wants to be free!
Just in case you think being a librarian is the dullest job in the world, working with grey, boring staff - shushing people and generally fussing about...check out
Jessamyn West "Putting the rarin' back into Librarian since 1993"
Here's an article about her site ands the misuse of The Patriot Act in the US of A.
Or, if thinking is hard work, try the naked librarians page but be warned some of them are actually quite rude...
Click pic to see larger
Jessamyn West "Putting the rarin' back into Librarian since 1993"
Here's an article about her site ands the misuse of The Patriot Act in the US of A.
Or, if thinking is hard work, try the naked librarians page but be warned some of them are actually quite rude...
Click pic to see larger
Ah, yes, well...
That's a big Hi! to Rachel, as we just had a slightly drunken conversation in which I heard she reads this blog.
I didn't put a good case for publishing, I am afraid...
This really is a notebook to myself, but it's open (like a conversation) to input, 'cos I don't think I have all the best links in the world.
Oh, and I was a street performer, and that never goes away - to stay alive I had to draw attention to myself - without appearing arrogant, or pathetic, or whatever. Never an easy trick. This has an element of that. In that sense it is no more than a column in a newspaper where people drivel on about the everyday hazards that a freelance journalist suffers. hmmm. Like the stand-ups who get successful, and spend their whole time on stage doing routines about the food and service on planes and in hotels (funny, unless, like me, you didn't get on a plane between 1987 and 2002, then it leaves you cold...)hmmm
So, it's not a diary, it's not a column, it's a way of staying in touch with my family (but only if they have time to catch up), it's somewhere to drop links to stuff I want to remember, it's a train of thought, it's up to nearly 110,000 words, so I could have written a book (and perhaps I have). It's a glimpse of the real person behind the 'glamour of brief show-biz fame'. It's an experiment in writing. It's practice at touch-typing. It's the floating supplement to a fairly slow-changing website. And what's a website for? Ah....
And so on.
You should check out the other ways people use instant publishing - there are so many kinds of blogs...
You don't have to read it, you know, there's a whole big internet out there....
Be Seeing you!
I didn't put a good case for publishing, I am afraid...
This really is a notebook to myself, but it's open (like a conversation) to input, 'cos I don't think I have all the best links in the world.
Oh, and I was a street performer, and that never goes away - to stay alive I had to draw attention to myself - without appearing arrogant, or pathetic, or whatever. Never an easy trick. This has an element of that. In that sense it is no more than a column in a newspaper where people drivel on about the everyday hazards that a freelance journalist suffers. hmmm. Like the stand-ups who get successful, and spend their whole time on stage doing routines about the food and service on planes and in hotels (funny, unless, like me, you didn't get on a plane between 1987 and 2002, then it leaves you cold...)hmmm
So, it's not a diary, it's not a column, it's a way of staying in touch with my family (but only if they have time to catch up), it's somewhere to drop links to stuff I want to remember, it's a train of thought, it's up to nearly 110,000 words, so I could have written a book (and perhaps I have). It's a glimpse of the real person behind the 'glamour of brief show-biz fame'. It's an experiment in writing. It's practice at touch-typing. It's the floating supplement to a fairly slow-changing website. And what's a website for? Ah....
And so on.
You should check out the other ways people use instant publishing - there are so many kinds of blogs...
You don't have to read it, you know, there's a whole big internet out there....
Be Seeing you!
Friday, September 17, 2004
Music - Muzak "One man's meat is another man's poisson"
It's such a lock-in, music. The associations and the generations... and the imprints.
I started playing Country Joe and The Fish to Julie, but all it reminded her of was Jefferson Airplane...sure, West Coast rock...but her 'best of' compilation is in the wrong order for me - who thinks they only made "Surrealistic Pillow" and then sloped off to be fat, rich and coked out - (although I quite like "Bless it's Pointed Little Head" - and went to see them live in the rain on Hampstead Heath) - ever-changing their sleeping-together patterns, hiring and firing each other...doing stadium rock. Don't get me wrong - I loved 'em, I ended up living on the beach in Bolinas...the time I was going to swim in Grace Slick's pool I was told the kids had peed in it, so it wasn't on for the day (sure). I even went with El Circo del Sol all the way to LA to do a 'circus' act at the opening ceremony for Big Grunt records and hear them live again...on acid (not a great plan) and so on. The music still got less and less interesting as time passed.
And now Frank Zappa is on the box downstairs - again, don't get me wrong, he can be funny. I loved Freak Out! but telling me he made 50 albums since then doesn't help. To me he's a control freak Capricorn, sarcastic, bombastic, smug and self-satisfied - didn't even let his musicians smoke dope, then killed himself with cigarettes (huh?) - just doing his 'Frank' thing. Sure he was some sort of genius (aren't we all?) Oh, and I like "Titties and Beer" (sounds like they're having a laff), but that's just because it was the first thing I heard when Herman put the elecricity back on in Castellar (by tapping power from the pylons). Yeh, it's funny - but how many times are you going to listen to funny?
I know Julie just hears Bob Dylan as mr.constipated whiny voice (she thought Jimi Hendrix wrote "All Along the Watchtower")...and I gave up saying he was a genius of popular music - broke the 3 minute record mould, said you could write yer own songs to The Beatles and The Stones and David Bowie and everyone - mastered folk, rock, gospel, blues - drawing on old traditions, and creating new ones for 40 years, hanging out with great musicians, and even outlived clean-living Frank(!) But no. He's that bloke with the strangled vocal chords. Fair enough.
Reality tunnels and imprints rule us all...
Click pic to see larger
I started playing Country Joe and The Fish to Julie, but all it reminded her of was Jefferson Airplane...sure, West Coast rock...but her 'best of' compilation is in the wrong order for me - who thinks they only made "Surrealistic Pillow" and then sloped off to be fat, rich and coked out - (although I quite like "Bless it's Pointed Little Head" - and went to see them live in the rain on Hampstead Heath) - ever-changing their sleeping-together patterns, hiring and firing each other...doing stadium rock. Don't get me wrong - I loved 'em, I ended up living on the beach in Bolinas...the time I was going to swim in Grace Slick's pool I was told the kids had peed in it, so it wasn't on for the day (sure). I even went with El Circo del Sol all the way to LA to do a 'circus' act at the opening ceremony for Big Grunt records and hear them live again...on acid (not a great plan) and so on. The music still got less and less interesting as time passed.
And now Frank Zappa is on the box downstairs - again, don't get me wrong, he can be funny. I loved Freak Out! but telling me he made 50 albums since then doesn't help. To me he's a control freak Capricorn, sarcastic, bombastic, smug and self-satisfied - didn't even let his musicians smoke dope, then killed himself with cigarettes (huh?) - just doing his 'Frank' thing. Sure he was some sort of genius (aren't we all?) Oh, and I like "Titties and Beer" (sounds like they're having a laff), but that's just because it was the first thing I heard when Herman put the elecricity back on in Castellar (by tapping power from the pylons). Yeh, it's funny - but how many times are you going to listen to funny?
I know Julie just hears Bob Dylan as mr.constipated whiny voice (she thought Jimi Hendrix wrote "All Along the Watchtower")...and I gave up saying he was a genius of popular music - broke the 3 minute record mould, said you could write yer own songs to The Beatles and The Stones and David Bowie and everyone - mastered folk, rock, gospel, blues - drawing on old traditions, and creating new ones for 40 years, hanging out with great musicians, and even outlived clean-living Frank(!) But no. He's that bloke with the strangled vocal chords. Fair enough.
Reality tunnels and imprints rule us all...
Click pic to see larger
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
H2G2 - Hitch-Hiker Alert!
The BBC is transmitting a new series of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, starting on Setpember 21st!
The last three books of the five book 'trilogy' have been adapted finally to the best version (radio) - and don't forget, you can listen to BBC Radio 4 on Internet, even time-shifted!
The last three books of the five book 'trilogy' have been adapted finally to the best version (radio) - and don't forget, you can listen to BBC Radio 4 on Internet, even time-shifted!
the mad old, bad old daze....
And one last big hello to Nelly Gareau (wherever you are - is it really Kentucky?) who took me away from 'all this' when we ended up squatting an atélier in Alesia for a few months in 1970 - and LOOK, it's still there!
As it happens, I usually try not to mention people on this site without their permission, because it seems only fair (not everyone is delighted to have their past brought up!) but I have already used photos of Nelly on our Mexican trip (without giving her full name), and she was always much further out than me, so if the only reference I can find to her is as a reclusive old hippie mother in Kentucky, living in an old house on God's Land (no rent) it isn't really a surprise.
I assume that she and her kids may forgive me, showing the two of us happy back in the 'mad' days of the late 60s and early 70s.
Click pic to see larger
As it happens, I usually try not to mention people on this site without their permission, because it seems only fair (not everyone is delighted to have their past brought up!) but I have already used photos of Nelly on our Mexican trip (without giving her full name), and she was always much further out than me, so if the only reference I can find to her is as a reclusive old hippie mother in Kentucky, living in an old house on God's Land (no rent) it isn't really a surprise.
I assume that she and her kids may forgive me, showing the two of us happy back in the 'mad' days of the late 60s and early 70s.
Click pic to see larger
One big Salut! to everyone from Paris...
but particularly to Jørn for the great conversations (sorry to have to leave so fast - I had one last hit, then got the taxi after about two hours sleep!) - to Yazmeen (glad you got the badge) - to Sophie (sorry I didn't have enough time to talk more) - to Zissia (thanks for all the help on the first day) - to John and Nicole (what a delight to see you together in Paris!) - to Craig (sorry to raise my voice) to Richard (did I really teach you to juggle, I wonder where, exactly?), to Aurélien and Claude (as ever, thanks for all the fun) and, well, to everyone who was there...
Safe journeys, more fun, find the next job you really want, bless - love, luck and light!
Safe journeys, more fun, find the next job you really want, bless - love, luck and light!
Friday, September 10, 2004
Je suis arrivé
Well I have arrived in Paris, and found an Internet cafe quite easily (I used it last year!)
Aurélien picked me up from the airport, and put in me a posh hotel. Now I can wander around, tuning in. Listening to the language and trying to remember what little I know.
Il faut pratiquer, parce que j'ai oublié tout. Je vais ici et là . Une biere blanche avec citron ici, et une sandwich du fromage là , avec un cafe et une cigarette. Le paradis artificiel.
Being in Paris makes everyone a colourful character - the woman on the Metro with a kitten in a box, and the woman pulling her vacuum cleaner through the streets - it's simple magic to change your space, and hear another language, and just hang out.
Salut!
Aurélien picked me up from the airport, and put in me a posh hotel. Now I can wander around, tuning in. Listening to the language and trying to remember what little I know.
Il faut pratiquer, parce que j'ai oublié tout. Je vais ici et là . Une biere blanche avec citron ici, et une sandwich du fromage là , avec un cafe et une cigarette. Le paradis artificiel.
Being in Paris makes everyone a colourful character - the woman on the Metro with a kitten in a box, and the woman pulling her vacuum cleaner through the streets - it's simple magic to change your space, and hear another language, and just hang out.
Salut!
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Keep On Truckin'
I'll be going to Paris for a flying visit this weekend. It should be fun!
I won't have much time for being a tourist, but I have old and new friends to meet, and I can try to see if I can carry on with my Academy courses through Internet Cafes... but I probably will not be dealing with all my emails until I return on Monday, so please be patient...
Click pic to see larger
I won't have much time for being a tourist, but I have old and new friends to meet, and I can try to see if I can carry on with my Academy courses through Internet Cafes... but I probably will not be dealing with all my emails until I return on Monday, so please be patient...
Click pic to see larger
Sunday, September 05, 2004
What white rabbit?
I've just been on the tv again (nah, no royalties) but while I was in the garden on a hot day, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" was on the box. And here is the six-man puppet crew, holding assorted tricks of the trade. I am sure we all got credits when the film came out, but we seem to have been dumped now. (sigh)- Well, I see we are all listed on the DVD version, perhaps it's the just the tv version which has shortened the 743 people list....
That's me centre/back holding the electronic lighter which the octopus barman uses to light the actress's cigarette...Dave Barclay (the grand master) in front of me, Mike Quinn with the weasel's machine gun...those two were 'Ultimate Animates' for a while. Then there's Geoff Felix bottom left (who makes vent dummies), and Christopher Leith (top right) the marionette expert, and Ian Tegonning the very funny Aussie guy in the top left.
It's odd to be discussing Harvey the pookah rabbit in the Academy, and to realise that I spent about 3 months with Bob Hoskins seeing a white rabbit who wasn't there at the time, but when we exposed the film he was there for all to see. fnord
Click pic to see larger
That's me centre/back holding the electronic lighter which the octopus barman uses to light the actress's cigarette...Dave Barclay (the grand master) in front of me, Mike Quinn with the weasel's machine gun...those two were 'Ultimate Animates' for a while. Then there's Geoff Felix bottom left (who makes vent dummies), and Christopher Leith (top right) the marionette expert, and Ian Tegonning the very funny Aussie guy in the top left.
It's odd to be discussing Harvey the pookah rabbit in the Academy, and to realise that I spent about 3 months with Bob Hoskins seeing a white rabbit who wasn't there at the time, but when we exposed the film he was there for all to see. fnord
Click pic to see larger
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Country Joe and The Fish
As I walk into work on a Saturday (while the Friday night revellers sleep on) I often listen to BBC2 Radio - "Sounds of the 60s". Now, mostly you will hear stuff to make you cringe - I can assure you (even if you don't much like The Beatles) that most of the music before them was truly awful pop, written by middle-aged men to grab young girl's pocket money, played by cynical or desperate middle-aged session musicians. I promise that Pop Idol and manufactured groups are not new.
However, sometimes there are little gems - and this morning it was "Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine" by Country Joe and The Fish. I got here, and immediately looked up Joe's website where you can hear "I Feel like I'm Fixin' To Die".
Now buying a couple of albums at Amazon (sigh) "Electric Music for the Mind and Body" and "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die". I know, I know, just allow an old man his memories of when you could score the real thing...pure molecules of sound, man.
However, sometimes there are little gems - and this morning it was "Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine" by Country Joe and The Fish. I got here, and immediately looked up Joe's website where you can hear "I Feel like I'm Fixin' To Die".
Now buying a couple of albums at Amazon (sigh) "Electric Music for the Mind and Body" and "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die". I know, I know, just allow an old man his memories of when you could score the real thing...pure molecules of sound, man.
Friday, August 27, 2004
Go Back to Sleep
Check out this excellent video of Counting Bodies like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums by A Perfect Circle at dubya dubya dubya dot a perfect circle dot com
"Go Back to Sleep, America" Bill Hicks
when a monkey looks in, no philosopher looks out.
"Go Back to Sleep, America" Bill Hicks
when a monkey looks in, no philosopher looks out.
'Pataphysical research
This will be a page for research links related to my Academy courses, and other 'pataphysical events
the ideogram of the moment...
the ideogram of the moment...
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
More fun for the consumer in me....
Bob has written the first of a series of 3 autobiographical books.
The Dylan Chronicles Vol 1 is going to be published in October.
The Dylan Chronicles Vol 1 is going to be published in October.
Sunday, August 22, 2004
The Great Magician
I am looking for a short story with that title, which I loved and have lost any copy of.
It was published in Evergreen Review 13 (the 'Pataphysical edition)...which I don't have a copy of any more, but I highly recommend if you can find it.
I suspect that it was one of the short stories by Jean Ferry. What makes me suspicious is that it is very similar to this short story called The Secret Society, which I have stuck up on a temporary page while I dig around...
And I never could work out how much funnier 'Pataphysics might seem if you were a member of the college...
[LATER] Hey! waddya know - I found it in my mysterious filing system - joke boxes of paper which have trailed around with me for years, much to the amusement of friends...I'll type it up tomorrow as this copy is too faint to scan OCR (sigh) - and it's by Rene Daumal (from same edition of Evergreen).....
It was published in Evergreen Review 13 (the 'Pataphysical edition)...which I don't have a copy of any more, but I highly recommend if you can find it.
I suspect that it was one of the short stories by Jean Ferry. What makes me suspicious is that it is very similar to this short story called The Secret Society, which I have stuck up on a temporary page while I dig around...
And I never could work out how much funnier 'Pataphysics might seem if you were a member of the college...
[LATER] Hey! waddya know - I found it in my mysterious filing system - joke boxes of paper which have trailed around with me for years, much to the amusement of friends...I'll type it up tomorrow as this copy is too faint to scan OCR (sigh) - and it's by Rene Daumal (from same edition of Evergreen).....
Is It Rolling Bob?
Yeh, they made a record of Bob songs in reggae. Sounds great and I can't wait...
I seem to be a Bob fan: Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Bob (RAW himself) and I guess even Bob Dobbs, though I hate to take the name of the SubGenius in vain.
Then there's Bill Hicks, Bill Bailey, Bill Burroughs (Mr Burroughs to me)...
Hey ho, back and silly as ever from my short break...gotta get on with my online Academy stuff...homework!
PS on September 3rd
Sorry about the comment that was attached (I have hidden it now) - it's a bunch of dodgy URLs, and when I find the idiot who abused my comments system I'll do something unpleasant to them. At least sign it, and don't do it anonymously. And if it is an automated thing, and happens again, I'll just switch off the comments. Phew, I managed to write this without swearing...
I seem to be a Bob fan: Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Bob (RAW himself) and I guess even Bob Dobbs, though I hate to take the name of the SubGenius in vain.
Then there's Bill Hicks, Bill Bailey, Bill Burroughs (Mr Burroughs to me)...
Hey ho, back and silly as ever from my short break...gotta get on with my online Academy stuff...homework!
PS on September 3rd
Sorry about the comment that was attached (I have hidden it now) - it's a bunch of dodgy URLs, and when I find the idiot who abused my comments system I'll do something unpleasant to them. At least sign it, and don't do it anonymously. And if it is an automated thing, and happens again, I'll just switch off the comments. Phew, I managed to write this without swearing...
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Are we there yet?
We are back from our holiday in West Wales. I am not sure Julie will ever want to go on a motoring holiday with me again! I got travel sick with the switchback winding roads, and the squidgy suspension, and was miserable for several of the days - it wasn't JUST the rain or media withdrawal...sorry about that, lover.
I am back at work today, although she has a few more days off...to look at, and edit, her amazing photos...
One last thought about cars, however. I have decided that cars are for people who are always in the wrong place. Up they jump - "damn, I'm 30 miles from where I am supposed to be!" and off they go. They get there, half an hour later they realise they are wrong again "Back to the car!"
Once they can use the car to fix their bad planning, they end up living (say) 50 miles from where they work - forced to drive 100 miles a day, just to earn a living...of course drivers say they love it, but I think the thing they enjoy most is the privacy (the way some people use the toilet, or bath time as a retreat place). Play your own music, and no nagging (that's why most cars contain only one person, and car-share schemes are an uphill struggle).
Anyway - stuff to do....
I am back at work today, although she has a few more days off...to look at, and edit, her amazing photos...
One last thought about cars, however. I have decided that cars are for people who are always in the wrong place. Up they jump - "damn, I'm 30 miles from where I am supposed to be!" and off they go. They get there, half an hour later they realise they are wrong again "Back to the car!"
Once they can use the car to fix their bad planning, they end up living (say) 50 miles from where they work - forced to drive 100 miles a day, just to earn a living...of course drivers say they love it, but I think the thing they enjoy most is the privacy (the way some people use the toilet, or bath time as a retreat place). Play your own music, and no nagging (that's why most cars contain only one person, and car-share schemes are an uphill struggle).
Anyway - stuff to do....
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
The Mask Behind The Mask
I am enjoying being in the MaybeLogic Academy. I guess it's indiscrete, talking about a secret forum where everyone just has 'handles' (pseudonyms, aliases) and 'avatars' and no-one publishes their 'real name' or age or location or sex or anything. That's fine if you are into being mysterious.
I can't be bothered with all that. I publish all and be damned. Information wants to be free....Why should you believe a name like Toby Philpott anyway, when a quick bit of research will tell you that it's as probable a name as John Bull, Uncle Sam, Friar Tuck or Robin Goodfellow.....it happens to be what my parents called me, but why should you believe me?
So - hidden in plain sight - the cheekiest and best plan.
The Forums do seem to be a bit slow moving - perhaps I am the only person who pops in daily...and 'talks' a lot. Still I am looking forward to doing the Illuminatus! course, because I was always delighted with that book. I have also taken on the more daunting course about James Joyce and Ezra Pound - a bit of brain exercise - but working in the library really helps, as we have all kinds of old books out in The Stacks (some not catalogued) which are useful references for this kind of literary project.
Meanwhile, we are going for a week in the country soon...leaving someone else to feed the fish. The cats have had four of the goldfish now ( no surprise to me) but the smaller, faster, more camouflaged fish should be OK. hmmm.
The cats are on an Atkins Diet... (fish and birds)
I can't be bothered with all that. I publish all and be damned. Information wants to be free....Why should you believe a name like Toby Philpott anyway, when a quick bit of research will tell you that it's as probable a name as John Bull, Uncle Sam, Friar Tuck or Robin Goodfellow.....it happens to be what my parents called me, but why should you believe me?
So - hidden in plain sight - the cheekiest and best plan.
The Forums do seem to be a bit slow moving - perhaps I am the only person who pops in daily...and 'talks' a lot. Still I am looking forward to doing the Illuminatus! course, because I was always delighted with that book. I have also taken on the more daunting course about James Joyce and Ezra Pound - a bit of brain exercise - but working in the library really helps, as we have all kinds of old books out in The Stacks (some not catalogued) which are useful references for this kind of literary project.
Meanwhile, we are going for a week in the country soon...leaving someone else to feed the fish. The cats have had four of the goldfish now ( no surprise to me) but the smaller, faster, more camouflaged fish should be OK. hmmm.
The cats are on an Atkins Diet... (fish and birds)
Sunday, August 08, 2004
Nice One! - get a signed copy and meet The Man Himself
Don't forget, if you want to buy a copy of Tony's "A Summer in the Park" - and you are in London - try and get to one of these dates for a signed copy:
Book launch and signing by the author
Thurs 12th Aug 6.30pm Upstairs at the Red Lion,Great Windmill St London, W1D 7LQ
Fri 13th Aug 04 6pm at Freedom BookshopAngel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street,London E1 7QX. (Be Lucky!)
Sun 15th Aug 04 7pm Upstairs at the Masons Arms51 Upper Berkeley St, London W1H 7PP
Further launch details: Sheila Trapovska 0207 247 9249e-mail trapovska@btinternet.com
A Summer In The Park (£8.50) (IBSN 1 904491 04 9) 204 pagesPublished Summer 2004 by Freedom Press Angel Alley84b Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX.http://www.freedompress.org.uk/
I will be hustling my local library to buy the book, or I will donate a copy...(for details see previous posts, review in The Guardian Guide, etc) - Good to hear that he's given up both dope and tobacco and feels better...
any picture I can get my hands on...
Book launch and signing by the author
Thurs 12th Aug 6.30pm Upstairs at the Red Lion,Great Windmill St London, W1D 7LQ
Fri 13th Aug 04 6pm at Freedom BookshopAngel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street,London E1 7QX. (Be Lucky!)
Sun 15th Aug 04 7pm Upstairs at the Masons Arms51 Upper Berkeley St, London W1H 7PP
Further launch details: Sheila Trapovska 0207 247 9249e-mail trapovska@btinternet.com
A Summer In The Park (£8.50) (IBSN 1 904491 04 9) 204 pagesPublished Summer 2004 by Freedom Press Angel Alley84b Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX.http://www.freedompress.org.uk/
I will be hustling my local library to buy the book, or I will donate a copy...(for details see previous posts, review in The Guardian Guide, etc) - Good to hear that he's given up both dope and tobacco and feels better...
any picture I can get my hands on...
Friday, August 06, 2004
Ah come on now, you can afford these (cheap laffs)...
Support Your Anarchist Parasite and Mixed-Ability Shaman! (no not me, but Lofty Tone) - I have no financial interest in this, it's just a whole-hearted recommendation - if some of the postcards here don't make you laugh then what are you doing on my site?
(sings like Mick Jagger, waving shotgun) "Hey! You! Get Offa My Site! "
(sings like Mick Jagger, waving shotgun) "Hey! You! Get Offa My Site! "
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Run to your nearest Anarchist Bookshop, or just do a few clicks...
I got to hang out with Tony Allen for a while back there - an astounding stand-up performer. Check out his book Attitude, from Gothic Image for just a taste of his thoughts and style - or try to catch him live (although he claims not to do that stuff any more). Why not do a stand-up comedy workshop? Look for current news, or listen to the radio interview, on the New Agenda Trust website . I also recommend his Speakers Corner Journal - now (Aug 2004) published as A Summer in the Park , from Freedom Press , with an intro by Ken Campbell. (highly recommended...what can I say...why would you believe me?)
any picture I can get my hand on...
any picture I can get my hand on...
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
21 Tatane, 132 E.P. Saints Catoblepas, lord et Anoblepas, amirals
Just a quick link, a daily pic of the cosmos, (I liked the Blue Moon on July 31st - which you will find in the archive)
Just to keep a perspective on the heady atmosphere of the Academy. fnord
Just to keep a perspective on the heady atmosphere of the Academy. fnord
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Yes.And.So.What. (Posting 666)
My first blog was called Thinking Allowed, and it ended on October 3rd 2001 - I decided I had to start afresh because my response to 9.11 may have appeared 'inappropriate' - and I suddenly realised that this was a WORLDWIDE publishing scheme.
One lunatic who thought I was out-of-order could be enough - if my words (and images of Buddhist Monks calmly burning themselves alive as a comment on the suffering caused by the Vietnam War - PLEASE DON'T FOLLOW THAT LINK IF REALITY UPSETS YOU - GO BACK TO YOUR HORROR MOVIE KICKS (that ain't no Photoshop image) - just words, seemed inappropriate.
I thought, and still think, it is inappropriate to take innocents out with kamikaze tactics (I agree! I agree!) However, I think it is inappropriate to kill innocents in (supposedly) defending their freedom, too. And I gotta defend the right of individuals (the undivided) to sacrifice themselves dramatically to make a strong point.
There was also a 'private' blog - (the spiders of the Web still found the postings, but it wasn't listed with 'current blogs') - called "Spooking The Herd" - that I shared with a close mate of mine, but we let it lapse for now. Who wants to be in the list of 'most recent blog postings' now that you are jostling for position with "Hot Wet Pussy"? I am hardly surprised that Blogs (so easy to set up) now attract this kind of business, but it's not a Top Ten place I want to compete for!
This particular blog is passing the 666th posting (well over 100 thousand words) (as if that matters). You can see that if you check out the Toby's Blog Profile link.
When I was a kid in the UK we used to dial 999 to reach the Emergency Services (on the old dial phones that took a lot of time, but I guess it was intended to avoid mistakes) - now the UK accepts 911 as well (for the tourists in panic mode) - but I always think that appears to be a slightly unfortunate coincidence (unless the terrorists really did have a warped sense of humour - 9.11 (?) fnord)
Anyway - don't shoot me - This particular posting is 666 (+ or - 7) and I'd just like to say that just because "Ronald Wilson Reagan" has a 666 name (count the letters) doesn't mean that he and Maggie ("ain't gonna work on Maggie's Farm no more" - sang Bob in 1965, a little ahead of the time - how spooky 'IS' that?) - were EVIL or nothing.
After all, she may have just chosen that image as a (fairly stupid) attempt to ingratiate herself with my generation, and piggy-back on Bob's fame - I am fairly sure Madonna did - "And Madonna, she still has not showed" (1966)
Blah blah - so anyway - I figured I might start an "unrelated anecdotes" page - because this linear, self-referential autobiography I call a website is just too difficult to complete.
If we are in a bar/pub/room and we are talking, you can trigger off all kinds of stories, from the polished pebbles which roll off the tongue without much change in the phrasing - the kind of repetitious (but polished) stuff that amuses strangers, and bores partners (who have heard the routine many times before) - to ones that I am recalling for the first time since they happened (the ones that interest me most). They don't easily form part of a linear narrative, so as I recall them (now) I will write them down - and they may become polished a little in the writing (to simulate the inspiration of Irish/Spanish bar talk) - but that's it.
They can be part of my "name-drop" page that I always threaten to write and never do. The day David Bowie blagged a fag off me; rolling joints for John Martyn; that sort of stuff.
Over and Out. Transmission Ends.
One lunatic who thought I was out-of-order could be enough - if my words (and images of Buddhist Monks calmly burning themselves alive as a comment on the suffering caused by the Vietnam War - PLEASE DON'T FOLLOW THAT LINK IF REALITY UPSETS YOU - GO BACK TO YOUR HORROR MOVIE KICKS (that ain't no Photoshop image) - just words, seemed inappropriate.
I thought, and still think, it is inappropriate to take innocents out with kamikaze tactics (I agree! I agree!) However, I think it is inappropriate to kill innocents in (supposedly) defending their freedom, too. And I gotta defend the right of individuals (the undivided) to sacrifice themselves dramatically to make a strong point.
There was also a 'private' blog - (the spiders of the Web still found the postings, but it wasn't listed with 'current blogs') - called "Spooking The Herd" - that I shared with a close mate of mine, but we let it lapse for now. Who wants to be in the list of 'most recent blog postings' now that you are jostling for position with "Hot Wet Pussy"? I am hardly surprised that Blogs (so easy to set up) now attract this kind of business, but it's not a Top Ten place I want to compete for!
This particular blog is passing the 666th posting (well over 100 thousand words) (as if that matters). You can see that if you check out the Toby's Blog Profile link.
When I was a kid in the UK we used to dial 999 to reach the Emergency Services (on the old dial phones that took a lot of time, but I guess it was intended to avoid mistakes) - now the UK accepts 911 as well (for the tourists in panic mode) - but I always think that appears to be a slightly unfortunate coincidence (unless the terrorists really did have a warped sense of humour - 9.11 (?) fnord)
Anyway - don't shoot me - This particular posting is 666 (+ or - 7) and I'd just like to say that just because "Ronald Wilson Reagan" has a 666 name (count the letters) doesn't mean that he and Maggie ("ain't gonna work on Maggie's Farm no more" - sang Bob in 1965, a little ahead of the time - how spooky 'IS' that?) - were EVIL or nothing.
After all, she may have just chosen that image as a (fairly stupid) attempt to ingratiate herself with my generation, and piggy-back on Bob's fame - I am fairly sure Madonna did - "And Madonna, she still has not showed" (1966)
Blah blah - so anyway - I figured I might start an "unrelated anecdotes" page - because this linear, self-referential autobiography I call a website is just too difficult to complete.
If we are in a bar/pub/room and we are talking, you can trigger off all kinds of stories, from the polished pebbles which roll off the tongue without much change in the phrasing - the kind of repetitious (but polished) stuff that amuses strangers, and bores partners (who have heard the routine many times before) - to ones that I am recalling for the first time since they happened (the ones that interest me most). They don't easily form part of a linear narrative, so as I recall them (now) I will write them down - and they may become polished a little in the writing (to simulate the inspiration of Irish/Spanish bar talk) - but that's it.
They can be part of my "name-drop" page that I always threaten to write and never do. The day David Bowie blagged a fag off me; rolling joints for John Martyn; that sort of stuff.
Over and Out. Transmission Ends.
Friday, July 30, 2004
It was only ever a maybe...
Well, I didn't publish anything about this, because I never really had any faith in it - but now that it's certainly off, I can speak.
For a while there I half-believed that this Star Wars thing was going to get me to Japan at the end of August. Took a week's leave, in case. Learned a bit of Japanese, in case.
Fortunately I never let it go from 'possibly' to 'probably', so I am not very disappointed - perhaps the people I mentioned it to will be more let down on my behalf. I told them my Pessimist is never let down, just proven right or pleasantly surprised...
And anyway, I have Paris to look forward to (Hooray!) working with someone I know, and like and trust (Hooray!)
For a while there I half-believed that this Star Wars thing was going to get me to Japan at the end of August. Took a week's leave, in case. Learned a bit of Japanese, in case.
Fortunately I never let it go from 'possibly' to 'probably', so I am not very disappointed - perhaps the people I mentioned it to will be more let down on my behalf. I told them my Pessimist is never let down, just proven right or pleasantly surprised...
And anyway, I have Paris to look forward to (Hooray!) working with someone I know, and like and trust (Hooray!)
Thursday, July 29, 2004
I just heard from Tom, and so wrote to Bill (his dad) - one of my mates from the 60s, who always did set me a model of being bold, and still delights me by turning up unexpectedly, whisking me away on adventures, and then vanishing off to post reports from all over the planet. All power to their whole family -and to Jay and Bill, I wish it was a better photo!
any picture I can get my hand on...
any picture I can get my hand on...
Borrow This Book
For those of you who are not up to speed, and think I am a juggler, or a film puppeteer (same people who think Bob Dylan is a protest singer) - I now work in a library. I am proud of a library that offers books like "Steal This Book" by Abbie Hoffman.
It's a new edition, but it is as subversive as it ever was - and means more when you realise that we didn't have an Internet back in the 60s, so naughty suggestions (how to steal from your place of work), useful tips (how to grow grass plants), sensitive areas (self-defence techniques to use when grabbed by policemen) and straight dangerous info (how to make a Molotov Cocktail) were not freely available anywhere. With jokes!
Some of it just doesn't seem to have dated. "Avoid all needle drugs, the only dope worth shooting is George W Bush" (well, he said Nixon...)
Excellent stuff for the younger generation who often seem to think we were all just a bunch of weekend hippies fluffing around in beads, waiting to turn into Yuppies.....
It's a new edition, but it is as subversive as it ever was - and means more when you realise that we didn't have an Internet back in the 60s, so naughty suggestions (how to steal from your place of work), useful tips (how to grow grass plants), sensitive areas (self-defence techniques to use when grabbed by policemen) and straight dangerous info (how to make a Molotov Cocktail) were not freely available anywhere. With jokes!
Some of it just doesn't seem to have dated. "Avoid all needle drugs, the only dope worth shooting is George W Bush" (well, he said Nixon...)
Excellent stuff for the younger generation who often seem to think we were all just a bunch of weekend hippies fluffing around in beads, waiting to turn into Yuppies.....
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Timothy Leary's Last Trip
Julie works weird shifts now - but it suits her!
i sit here, knowing she is doing Emergency Services Duty for my local environment - bless her! - while i kill a bottle of red wine (having got the library service through another day, on the computer level, at least) - she'll be home after midnight, to take calls through the night until 8.30 - and deal with them well... as best as is possible with the (always too limited) resources.
i am sitting here, and just watched the DVD I bought online - "Timothy Leary's Last Trip" - one great Irishman busting taboos (and boy, is death still a taboo in our modern culture). He was always good at pushing society's buttons. Joy to you, wherever you are, man!
i sit here, publishing on Internet, the mode he knew was the way we were going...
i sit here.
i have threads - my great mate Graham has sat on the original Further bus; i saw Kesey touring the UK, and if the show i saw in Swansea was not inspired (we all dressed up and got there, to meet a lot of disorientated Americans) then i know it was just that they were "Stuck Inside of Swansea, with the Memphis Blues Again" (listen, it took me two days to hitch out of Ohio in 1972 - i understand); Tzi Whizz employed me for a while, and got me back into puppets and fun with the show Abrakadabra - then she lost a lot of weight (Marsha Marshmallow) and ran off to work with the Hog Farm and Wavy Gravy; my best time and parties (so far) have been with NoFit State Circus - the greatest crew a guy could wish for - still pushing the envelope as i write - have you seen their UFO tent? - man, all those people who gave their hours, days, weeks, months and years - all those people. Un-fucking-believable. We appear dangerous, maybe - we're really harmless - good hearts are the thing. i don't care if you drink or smoke - i don't care if you don't - i don't really care if you eat fish or meat (although I grew up as an ovo-lacto-vegetarian), i don't care if you're a vegan. We've managed to hang out together when we all have had different values on these things. You should go to a party where everyone forgives and accepts each other. you have no idea.
Bless.
i gotta nuther DVD to watch, while my partner deals with the rough side of life, with grace, and charm, and wit - i love her, and i forget to tell her enough - if you see her, say hello - we'll be going back to the country for a while in August. Gotta say hello to nature, yet again.
Greetings to all sentient beings - and if you ain't sentient yet, Dubya, don't fret, you will be eventually... (it may be a rough ride for a while, when consciousness hits - but you CAN change)
Bless.
i sit here, knowing she is doing Emergency Services Duty for my local environment - bless her! - while i kill a bottle of red wine (having got the library service through another day, on the computer level, at least) - she'll be home after midnight, to take calls through the night until 8.30 - and deal with them well... as best as is possible with the (always too limited) resources.
i am sitting here, and just watched the DVD I bought online - "Timothy Leary's Last Trip" - one great Irishman busting taboos (and boy, is death still a taboo in our modern culture). He was always good at pushing society's buttons. Joy to you, wherever you are, man!
i sit here, publishing on Internet, the mode he knew was the way we were going...
i sit here.
i have threads - my great mate Graham has sat on the original Further bus; i saw Kesey touring the UK, and if the show i saw in Swansea was not inspired (we all dressed up and got there, to meet a lot of disorientated Americans) then i know it was just that they were "Stuck Inside of Swansea, with the Memphis Blues Again" (listen, it took me two days to hitch out of Ohio in 1972 - i understand); Tzi Whizz employed me for a while, and got me back into puppets and fun with the show Abrakadabra - then she lost a lot of weight (Marsha Marshmallow) and ran off to work with the Hog Farm and Wavy Gravy; my best time and parties (so far) have been with NoFit State Circus - the greatest crew a guy could wish for - still pushing the envelope as i write - have you seen their UFO tent? - man, all those people who gave their hours, days, weeks, months and years - all those people. Un-fucking-believable. We appear dangerous, maybe - we're really harmless - good hearts are the thing. i don't care if you drink or smoke - i don't care if you don't - i don't really care if you eat fish or meat (although I grew up as an ovo-lacto-vegetarian), i don't care if you're a vegan. We've managed to hang out together when we all have had different values on these things. You should go to a party where everyone forgives and accepts each other. you have no idea.
Bless.
i gotta nuther DVD to watch, while my partner deals with the rough side of life, with grace, and charm, and wit - i love her, and i forget to tell her enough - if you see her, say hello - we'll be going back to the country for a while in August. Gotta say hello to nature, yet again.
Greetings to all sentient beings - and if you ain't sentient yet, Dubya, don't fret, you will be eventually... (it may be a rough ride for a while, when consciousness hits - but you CAN change)
Bless.
Showman/Shaman - there are lots of kinds of magic
This one's for Pop, now I realise that his 100th is coming up. Richard Rudgley is doing a 'Pagan's' programme on UK TV - and showed the Bronze Age magician's hats (that's what they recently decided to describe them as) - with dots representing the stars, and Sun Moon cycles, etc.
No surprise to me - look at this card (above, click to enlarge) that my dad sent to me in the 50s, with a picture of his magician puppet.
Glove puppets don't have a floor (think about it) so they don't need trapdoors. This character used to appear slowly - tip of his pointed hat first - he would rise through the 'floor'. In this picture his wand has a 'christmas tree bauble' attached, but my favourite wand had a ring of wire. After he had been onstage a while he would cross his arms, and the wire tip of the wand would drop out of sight. With his other hand, my dad would dip the wire ring in bubble mixture - next time the magician waved his wand - bubbles! Simple but effective in a live show.
And that 'no-floor' business had other advantages. An empty pot inverted on a little platform (sticking out the back, from the top edge of the stage frame) could have an ice-cream (the 50s dream) secretly loaded into it. He had built a little lift to rise up through this mini-trapdoor, with a peg to hold it in the 'up' position.
You wonder why I became a juggler? It was my dad who encouraged ambidexterity. I watched my showman/shaman dad do this: have the magician appear mysteriously through the stage floor - do a little intro - show the pot empty - magician crosses his arms - puppeteer slides up the ice-cream lift with the other hand, and pegs it in place - then grabs the bubble mixture and dips the tip of the wand - all the while animating, and talking through, the magician.
OK - nearly there - wave the wand - "Ooooh! bubbles!" Lift the previously empty pot to reveal ice-cream for child volunteer. (Applause point)
And, of course, my dad had done the study - he had been a Theosophist, etc. That hat is not a coincidence...but this description was only confirmed in the last couple of years.
"The wizards of early Europe wore hats of gold intricately embellished with astrological symbols that helped them to predict the movement of the sun and stars." The show I am talking about was what Panto was doing in the 1950s.
No surprise to me - look at this card (above, click to enlarge) that my dad sent to me in the 50s, with a picture of his magician puppet.
Glove puppets don't have a floor (think about it) so they don't need trapdoors. This character used to appear slowly - tip of his pointed hat first - he would rise through the 'floor'. In this picture his wand has a 'christmas tree bauble' attached, but my favourite wand had a ring of wire. After he had been onstage a while he would cross his arms, and the wire tip of the wand would drop out of sight. With his other hand, my dad would dip the wire ring in bubble mixture - next time the magician waved his wand - bubbles! Simple but effective in a live show.
And that 'no-floor' business had other advantages. An empty pot inverted on a little platform (sticking out the back, from the top edge of the stage frame) could have an ice-cream (the 50s dream) secretly loaded into it. He had built a little lift to rise up through this mini-trapdoor, with a peg to hold it in the 'up' position.
You wonder why I became a juggler? It was my dad who encouraged ambidexterity. I watched my showman/shaman dad do this: have the magician appear mysteriously through the stage floor - do a little intro - show the pot empty - magician crosses his arms - puppeteer slides up the ice-cream lift with the other hand, and pegs it in place - then grabs the bubble mixture and dips the tip of the wand - all the while animating, and talking through, the magician.
OK - nearly there - wave the wand - "Ooooh! bubbles!" Lift the previously empty pot to reveal ice-cream for child volunteer. (Applause point)
And, of course, my dad had done the study - he had been a Theosophist, etc. That hat is not a coincidence...but this description was only confirmed in the last couple of years.
"The wizards of early Europe wore hats of gold intricately embellished with astrological symbols that helped them to predict the movement of the sun and stars." The show I am talking about was what Panto was doing in the 1950s.
New Flash
From previous experience I would suggest not to go to bed angry. Likewise it does not seem to me a good idea to go to bed drunk (sober up before going to bed - my tip for not getting hangovers).
I am so delighted to exchange a few (printed) words with Robert Anton Wilson. If you don't know who I am talking about, I am not going to explain. If you do, I don't need to.
Makes me laugh, makes me think, makes me want to get up in the morning and get on with my day - what more could anyone ask of anyone else?
So - he's 72, got post-polio syndrome, still more lively than a lot of my local friends. It made me think...58 years can't be described as old. Well....but...I lost my best (peer group male) friend 10 years ago, this Halloween.
Suddenly I realised that, if my dad had got a bit of life extension, he would have made it to 100 times around the Sun this August.... 'Birthday' doesn't explain very well, if you don't agree on the calendar. I like the Spanish - cumpleaños - complete years. Geddit? When (as we say) you 'are' 1 year old, you have completed one year (what I call once round the sun).
I have completed 58 circuits...58 complete years, and some...
It's only numerology (and the Gregorian Calendar) but I might have to make a little ritual gesture 100 years after my dad arrived on the planet...I guess.
I am so delighted to exchange a few (printed) words with Robert Anton Wilson. If you don't know who I am talking about, I am not going to explain. If you do, I don't need to.
Makes me laugh, makes me think, makes me want to get up in the morning and get on with my day - what more could anyone ask of anyone else?
So - he's 72, got post-polio syndrome, still more lively than a lot of my local friends. It made me think...58 years can't be described as old. Well....but...I lost my best (peer group male) friend 10 years ago, this Halloween.
Suddenly I realised that, if my dad had got a bit of life extension, he would have made it to 100 times around the Sun this August.... 'Birthday' doesn't explain very well, if you don't agree on the calendar. I like the Spanish - cumpleaños - complete years. Geddit? When (as we say) you 'are' 1 year old, you have completed one year (what I call once round the sun).
I have completed 58 circuits...58 complete years, and some...
It's only numerology (and the Gregorian Calendar) but I might have to make a little ritual gesture 100 years after my dad arrived on the planet...I guess.
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Hey people - don't attack Google - that's like book-burning
I got angry now.
The people doing DOS attacks on Google are really stupid, or fucking crazy (or even full of shit). (I don't know for sure where they come on the Carlin/Leary Assessment Grid.
Forget that the Google people are accidentally making money for offering a great service...do you resent your favourite musician making lots of money? I don't mind Bob making a load of cash by touring all the time and playing live... He was here for me a few weeks ago...
Don't burn down the library, guys - that always lets the bad guys get a few centuries of oppression going. Nothing they like better than to cut off information resources.
If you don't like Google having a monopoly - invent something even BETTER!
We gotta design our way out of this...don't confront any bad guys head on, and turn into them...
Of course, I am a paranoid, so I assume this is actually the work of 'agents provocateurs' - please don't tell me that it's anarchists, cynics, nihilists, or other unbelievers - I might have to withdraw my membership... :-(
The people doing DOS attacks on Google are really stupid, or fucking crazy (or even full of shit). (I don't know for sure where they come on the Carlin/Leary Assessment Grid.
Forget that the Google people are accidentally making money for offering a great service...do you resent your favourite musician making lots of money? I don't mind Bob making a load of cash by touring all the time and playing live... He was here for me a few weeks ago...
Don't burn down the library, guys - that always lets the bad guys get a few centuries of oppression going. Nothing they like better than to cut off information resources.
If you don't like Google having a monopoly - invent something even BETTER!
We gotta design our way out of this...don't confront any bad guys head on, and turn into them...
Of course, I am a paranoid, so I assume this is actually the work of 'agents provocateurs' - please don't tell me that it's anarchists, cynics, nihilists, or other unbelievers - I might have to withdraw my membership... :-(
Aha - Excellent
The Council investigated and have obviously decided that Blogs (even with Comments) are not Chat Rooms, so I can post directly into the blog again, and add comments to other people's. Phew.
It's 4 p.m. and I didn't go to lunch yet, so I feel OK to take five minutes for myself. Even if I go to 'lunch' I am going to miss my afternoon coffee break.
What I wanted to do was copy here something I put in my Academy journal - for wider access:
NLP, Magick and Jokes
What more could you want?
I came across this site recently, called 23nlpeople, and particularly enjoyed the interviews, both the straight anti-psychiatry one, Austin Unplugged, and the magick one
"23 Initiates: An Interview with Andrew Austin " by Dale A. Hildebrandt Copyright 2002. Equal Knocks Magazine. The Journal of Illuminism.
It's 4 p.m. and I didn't go to lunch yet, so I feel OK to take five minutes for myself. Even if I go to 'lunch' I am going to miss my afternoon coffee break.
What I wanted to do was copy here something I put in my Academy journal - for wider access:
NLP, Magick and Jokes
What more could you want?
I came across this site recently, called 23nlpeople, and particularly enjoyed the interviews, both the straight anti-psychiatry one, Austin Unplugged, and the magick one
"23 Initiates: An Interview with Andrew Austin " by Dale A. Hildebrandt Copyright 2002. Equal Knocks Magazine. The Journal of Illuminism.
I like someone who posts both praise from other people, and unpopular reviews of self. It indicates a fine sense of self-mockery, and supreme confidence, too (of course).
"Some great articles Andy. Our very own Oliver Sacks of NLP, The Man who mistook his wife for a tin foil hat :-) You should put all these together in a book." Adam Sargant Psycbiatric Nurse, NLP Master Practitioner.
"Following my investigation, I have some very serious concerns from a management perspective about your conduct while performing your duties…[therefore I am]… giving you one week's notice to end your employment…" Heather Bowman, Area Manager, Stonham Housing Association.
"…I thought you seemed motivated by a humane and compassionate attitude and one of genuine listening for the meaning behind the language of 'delusion'…I wish there had been a nurse like you in the hospitals I was in." K. N., patient.
"I have never known anything like it in my life. You are a disgrace, do you always behave in such a unprofessional manner?" Sharon Griffin, ex-manager, who really, really does need a high enema.
All power to him..
Oh, yeh, and he has an excellent links page about magic (without the 'k') and NLP, which will go straight onto my magic links page, as soon as I get home (I can do the blog from work, but I can't start editing my website (!)
Monday, July 26, 2004
I'll try not to get too obscure, but this is a note to myself
Going into the Academy reminded me that (back when I was thinking about Leary's Eight Circuit(System) Model - I ended up in a hovel with no books for a while...and in order to reconstruct what I could remember, without notes, I decided to make my own 24 card Tarot Deck (Leary described three aspects of each of the 8 systems).
I had noticed that in the various writings on the subject, that the 5th and 6th circuits were sometimes reversed - I wasn't sure if that was from looking at texts from different time-periods, or one of those games (like Crowley changing the position of two of the traditional cards) - so I settled for what seemed right to me. I could understand the Neurogenetic Circuit being parallel with the 2nd circuit, and the Metaprogramming circuit being parallel to the 3rd circuit...but most of the texts have them the other way around - and no, without my old pile of books I can't tell you which said what (sigh) - and yes, that made sense, too! (depending on the ingenuity of the person...)
If you don't know ANYTHING about what I am referring to, then I am not going to start now (at 2 a.m.), but ANYWAY, over a few weeks I made up my cards, using only what I could find in my room...no bought materials. Actually, one or two images came from books, so rather than tear them up I went and photocopied them - otherwise everything came from magazines lying around.
Now I should dig them out, and have another look.
They're just a grid, OK - a map - don't fret if it all sounds crazy. I also like the map that astrologers evolved over the centuries, but I don't have any strong belief about us actually being influenced by the planets - it's just a rather beautiful integrated metaphorical language system.
Ah, G'night - it's far too late for this stuff....
I had noticed that in the various writings on the subject, that the 5th and 6th circuits were sometimes reversed - I wasn't sure if that was from looking at texts from different time-periods, or one of those games (like Crowley changing the position of two of the traditional cards) - so I settled for what seemed right to me. I could understand the Neurogenetic Circuit being parallel with the 2nd circuit, and the Metaprogramming circuit being parallel to the 3rd circuit...but most of the texts have them the other way around - and no, without my old pile of books I can't tell you which said what (sigh) - and yes, that made sense, too! (depending on the ingenuity of the person...)
If you don't know ANYTHING about what I am referring to, then I am not going to start now (at 2 a.m.), but ANYWAY, over a few weeks I made up my cards, using only what I could find in my room...no bought materials. Actually, one or two images came from books, so rather than tear them up I went and photocopied them - otherwise everything came from magazines lying around.
Now I should dig them out, and have another look.
They're just a grid, OK - a map - don't fret if it all sounds crazy. I also like the map that astrologers evolved over the centuries, but I don't have any strong belief about us actually being influenced by the planets - it's just a rather beautiful integrated metaphorical language system.
Ah, G'night - it's far too late for this stuff....
Sunday, July 25, 2004
It cheered me up
Anyone who knows me knows I am a fan of Robert Anton Wilson's writings (well, of his 'being' actually - but what do I know). He makes me laugh, and he makes me think - what more can you ask?
I don't know many other people who enjoy his stuff so much (that was one of the joys of meeting up with my son again - that he seemed to know what I was talking about!)
Anyway - the DeepLeaf Productions gang have started an online forum - the Maybe Logic Academy, and I joined - and signed up for one of the courses. A place to babble with like-minded people.
It cheers me up.
I don't know many other people who enjoy his stuff so much (that was one of the joys of meeting up with my son again - that he seemed to know what I was talking about!)
Anyway - the DeepLeaf Productions gang have started an online forum - the Maybe Logic Academy, and I joined - and signed up for one of the courses. A place to babble with like-minded people.
It cheers me up.
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Indirect Transmission
When I am at work I can no longer post directly to Blogger - the Council blocks it as a 'Chat Room' .
This is an email post. I was walking along today when I saw one of Robert Anton Wilson's 24 clones (one who was comfortable walking). I caught his eye, and he caught mine, but neither of us flickered.
This sounds a bit like one of John Cage's Indeterminate stories. The album is just about to be re-released (and I have pre-ordered it - having only heard it once, many years ago, when I was in The States).
If you have no idea what I am talking about, you can find the text and some sort of explanation online. This is a great site - you can actually play with the material...He would tell each of 90 anecdotes so that they lasted one minute (faster for long stories, slower for short).
And here's an older review
I clicked the online link for a random sample, and got story 23 (I kid you not)
This is an email post. I was walking along today when I saw one of Robert Anton Wilson's 24 clones (one who was comfortable walking). I caught his eye, and he caught mine, but neither of us flickered.
This sounds a bit like one of John Cage's Indeterminate stories. The album is just about to be re-released (and I have pre-ordered it - having only heard it once, many years ago, when I was in The States).
If you have no idea what I am talking about, you can find the text and some sort of explanation online. This is a great site - you can actually play with the material...He would tell each of 90 anecdotes so that they lasted one minute (faster for long stories, slower for short).
And here's an older review
I clicked the online link for a random sample, and got story 23 (I kid you not)
When I got the letter from Jack Arends
asking me to lecture at the Teachers
College,
I wrote back and said I'd
be glad to,
that all he had to
do was let me know the date.
He did.
I then said to David Tudor,
'The lecture is so soon that I
don't think I'll be able to get all
ninety stories written,
in which case,
now and then,
I'll just keep my
trap shut.'
He said,
'That'll be a relief.'
Friday, July 23, 2004
History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake...
Pretty horrible viewing. I saw an hour of television tonight - Robert Brown was beaten up and tortured for two days when he was an illiterate 19 year-old, until forced to confess to murder. Banged up for 25 years, his only options were to plead guilty to manslaughter (only 10 years) or stick to his story. 25 years, and 74 different prisons (he was a bit 'difficult' to be proclaiming his innocence) he is now finally out, and just had a few months with his mum before she died.
Now all he wants is that policeman, Jack Butler, be put in jail. I agree with him, but it looks as though it isn't going to happen.
Miscarriage of Justice doesn't come close -
I flip channels, and there is a programme about the 'Bangkok Hilton'- and the person on the screen is someone I used to know - Andy Hauke. Yeh, he pleaded guilty to smuggling heroin. If he hadn't done that he would have got the death sentence. I think (if I got it right) he ended up with 50 years. Then the King of Bangkok was feeling a bit jolly on his birthday and did a sort of amnesty, and reduced it to 25 years. (!) The British Home Office don't make much effort to get him back here.
I am not defending heroin, and Andy admits that is what he was doing (for financial reasons). But when I was growing up in the 60s the UK was a very civilized place - heroin addiction was considered an illness (as alcoholism is slowly being recognised on a massively bigger scale) and you got your prescription from the doctor. There were a few hundred junkies back then, getting good quality gear, and not hanging out with gangsters. Then 'they' made it illegal (not an illness) and now we have thousands all across the UK, sharing needles, stealing and hustling, and (yes) getting arrested for smuggling in (judicially) backward countries. Ah, progress.
I am past anger - it's the middle of the night, but the stupidity and fundamentalist bullshit goes on and on, and it's a nightmare.
Now all he wants is that policeman, Jack Butler, be put in jail. I agree with him, but it looks as though it isn't going to happen.
Miscarriage of Justice doesn't come close -
I flip channels, and there is a programme about the 'Bangkok Hilton'- and the person on the screen is someone I used to know - Andy Hauke. Yeh, he pleaded guilty to smuggling heroin. If he hadn't done that he would have got the death sentence. I think (if I got it right) he ended up with 50 years. Then the King of Bangkok was feeling a bit jolly on his birthday and did a sort of amnesty, and reduced it to 25 years. (!) The British Home Office don't make much effort to get him back here.
I am not defending heroin, and Andy admits that is what he was doing (for financial reasons). But when I was growing up in the 60s the UK was a very civilized place - heroin addiction was considered an illness (as alcoholism is slowly being recognised on a massively bigger scale) and you got your prescription from the doctor. There were a few hundred junkies back then, getting good quality gear, and not hanging out with gangsters. Then 'they' made it illegal (not an illness) and now we have thousands all across the UK, sharing needles, stealing and hustling, and (yes) getting arrested for smuggling in (judicially) backward countries. Ah, progress.
I am past anger - it's the middle of the night, but the stupidity and fundamentalist bullshit goes on and on, and it's a nightmare.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
I might have to start that old Lyric of the Day page up again...
Back in 2002/3, I had a lyric of the day page, which ran for a while....it's been up there, sleeping in the internet ocean, unlinked, for some time....
Copyright © 1974 Ram's Horn Music (Thanks Bob)
Then he started into dealing with slaves
And something inside of him died.
She had to sell everything she owned
And froze up inside.
And when finally the bottom fell out
I became withdrawn,
The only thing I knew how to do
Was to keep on keepin' on like a bird that flew,
Tangled up in blue.
So now I'm goin' back again,
I got to get to her somehow.
All the people we used to know
They're an illusion to me now.
Some are mathematicians
Some are carpenter's wives.
Don't know how it all got started,
I don't know what they're doin' with their lives.
But me, I'm still on the road
Headin' for another joint
We always did feel the same,
We just saw it from a different point of view,
Tangled up in blue.
Copyright © 1974 Ram's Horn Music (Thanks Bob)
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
I am still testing emailing to the blog - this is just a joke by the way
"If a man talks in a forest, when there are no women around to hear him, is he still wrong?"
Men are from Earth.
Women are from Earth.
Deal with it!
As Uncle Tony says in one of his postcards. Highly recommended. Support your local anarchist - go to Any Old Icon. They've gotta be worth a fiver of anyone's money. Oh, and buy his book, too. Why not? None of us have got pension plans...
Sorry if that link was buried in my maze of pages - old friends persist, when circumstances continue to change - no peace for the wicked.
And while I am at it - here's a scratch list of my hero links - men now, women coming soon...
Monday, July 19, 2004
It's a laugh, innit?
Just been watching "Intolerable Cruelty". I have a real soft spot for the Coen Brothers. And George Clooney goes from strength to strength for me (the hair gel in "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" - here, checking his teeth in reflective surfaces) for his self-mockery.
In case you are wondering, I am aware of the vanity of my last post (and I can't even remember that missing adjective accurately). Any family members know that I don't take my self seriously, and that all my stories are told against myself.
Still, a couple of years ago, one of the porters at the library said I looked like Billy Bob Thornton, and I said "Who?" He pointed to the poster for "A Simple Plan" (a movie I still haven't seen) and I said "Yeh, right..." I figured it was just the heavy eyebrows, and the big glasses held together with tape.
Later I flew to Hawaii (doesn't that sound cool?) with a brief windfall, and after the long flight, to the first change, I was walking through LA airport and a guy who had been on the same flight did the diffident approach as we headed to the carousel "Hey, I hate to bother you, but I've been dying to ask you right through the flight, are you Billy Bob Thornton?" he said - although why he thought Billy Bob would be flying in the cheap seats I have no idea - "No" I said (grateful that I at least knew who that was now, thanks to Danny the porter) "but I wish I was!"
Of course, I should maybe have just given him an autograph. Why not?
Having said that - I noticed two of the Philpott clan on the credits tonight.
I still read the credits right through. Not just for the buried gags - but because my mum used to teach actors, and I learned to wait for the minor characters to roll by - just for a quick whoop and a yell.
Now I have a couple of minor credits of my own - but I am amazed that people find them so impressive. They were just gigs to me - good ones, I am not being sarcastic - but they go back 20 years, so I was well paid for about 6 years, and then went back to poor when I paid off the taxman in 1987. C'est la vie, ya know.
Lucky to have had my moments. My 15 minutes of infamy.
In case you are wondering, I am aware of the vanity of my last post (and I can't even remember that missing adjective accurately). Any family members know that I don't take my self seriously, and that all my stories are told against myself.
Still, a couple of years ago, one of the porters at the library said I looked like Billy Bob Thornton, and I said "Who?" He pointed to the poster for "A Simple Plan" (a movie I still haven't seen) and I said "Yeh, right..." I figured it was just the heavy eyebrows, and the big glasses held together with tape.
Later I flew to Hawaii (doesn't that sound cool?) with a brief windfall, and after the long flight, to the first change, I was walking through LA airport and a guy who had been on the same flight did the diffident approach as we headed to the carousel "Hey, I hate to bother you, but I've been dying to ask you right through the flight, are you Billy Bob Thornton?" he said - although why he thought Billy Bob would be flying in the cheap seats I have no idea - "No" I said (grateful that I at least knew who that was now, thanks to Danny the porter) "but I wish I was!"
Of course, I should maybe have just given him an autograph. Why not?
Having said that - I noticed two of the Philpott clan on the credits tonight.
I still read the credits right through. Not just for the buried gags - but because my mum used to teach actors, and I learned to wait for the minor characters to roll by - just for a quick whoop and a yell.
Now I have a couple of minor credits of my own - but I am amazed that people find them so impressive. They were just gigs to me - good ones, I am not being sarcastic - but they go back 20 years, so I was well paid for about 6 years, and then went back to poor when I paid off the taxman in 1987. C'est la vie, ya know.
Lucky to have had my moments. My 15 minutes of infamy.
Sunday, July 18, 2004
The Hat Fair
Continuing my theme of finding friends and self in the library archives (similar to putting friend's names into Google), I remembered that Gerard Benson came up to me once at a street festival, and said "Did you see the article I wrote about the Hat Fair? I gave you a mention. Sorry, the sub-editor took out the adjective - I originally called you 'Toby, the magical acrobatic juggler'..."
Being just a street urchin at the time I was astounded, and flattered, and went to look it up for my scrapbook (now long lost), then forgot about it for 30 years.
Now here it is again. I wish I could write that well.
Being just a street urchin at the time I was astounded, and flattered, and went to look it up for my scrapbook (now long lost), then forgot about it for 30 years.
Now here it is again. I wish I could write that well.
heh
"If your friend is already dead, and being eaten by vultures, I think it's okay to feed some bits of your friend to one of the vultures, to teach him to do some tricks. But ONLY if you're serious about adopting the vulture."
(excerpt from Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey (aka Jack Handy)
While looking for the source I came across Crooked Cucumber If you go there, you may find me rummaging through the bins, but it's a digression.
Here's one page of Deep Thoughts
Another one here
Still, his lawyer isn't happy about publishing on the web so watch your back.
I don't really know him, and I guess he isn't big in the UK as we don't get Saturday Night Live - so I'll leave you to Google away on your own.
"The first thing was, I learned to forgive myself. Then I told myself, 'Go ahead, do whatever you want, it's ok by me.'"
© ® ™ Jack Handey (in case he is joking)
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Funny this - I just saw a hilarious trio at Glastonbury (never did catch their name) - who used a miniature drum kit (but played shithot music), and then I am walking down Queen Street in Cardiff, and come across these two guys...sorry, I didn't get anyone's name, but contact me if it's you, or you know who these guys are....
Sorry, but my karma just ran over your dogma
I am fascinated by the way phrases evolve and become part of the language.
Sixties button badges (the pedestrian's bumper stickers) had slogans/cliches (just like the advertisers) and some of them were pretty witty...
Still, Google got all confused:
people have that phrase every which way....
While searching, I came across The Frumious Bandersnatch. Probably worth a little more exploring. They had the phrase on World's Greatest Truisms...probably a weird use of the word truism....anyway...
Just as Cool Quotes have at least one very uncool quote...
Glass Ceiling
The phrase it attributed to Rita Mae Brown here
Sixties button badges (the pedestrian's bumper stickers) had slogans/cliches (just like the advertisers) and some of them were pretty witty...
Still, Google got all confused:
people have that phrase every which way....
While searching, I came across The Frumious Bandersnatch. Probably worth a little more exploring. They had the phrase on World's Greatest Truisms...probably a weird use of the word truism....anyway...
Just as Cool Quotes have at least one very uncool quote...
Glass Ceiling
The phrase it attributed to Rita Mae Brown here
Friday, July 16, 2004
Hey, I said it may only be of interest to me...
I just looked in the Retrostats (you have access on the Home page, too) and found this mix of visitors's languages (well, it impresses me) although I think it may mean 'hits' not separate visitors:
English 1462
German 295
Danish 109
French 72
Dutch 52
Hebrew 34
Unknown 19
Spanish 13
Chinese 6
Hungarian 5
Portuguese 4
Swedish 3
Japanese 3
Italian 3
Norwegian 3
Finnish 2
Malay 1
Russian 1
Czech 1
Turkish 1
Interlingue 1
Croatian 1
English 1462
German 295
Danish 109
French 72
Dutch 52
Hebrew 34
Unknown 19
Spanish 13
Chinese 6
Hungarian 5
Portuguese 4
Swedish 3
Japanese 3
Italian 3
Norwegian 3
Finnish 2
Malay 1
Russian 1
Czech 1
Turkish 1
Interlingue 1
Croatian 1
Thursday, July 15, 2004
OK OK Flanagan and Allan were sentimental at times...
BBC Comedy Guide
They are sometimes compared to the Marx Brothers - and that may have been true about the live shows that the Marxes used to prepare material for filming. I would think the parallel is closer to Hellzapoppin'.
The Crazy Gang was a collection of zany comedians: three double acts - Jimmy Nervo and Teddy Knox, Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen, and Charlie Naughton and Jimmy Gold - and, perhaps the most comical of them all, 'Monsewer' Eddie Gray, a slapstick maestro and comedy juggler of the first order. The acts had enjoyed individual successes but together they were a comedy phenomenon, packing theatres and appearing in a number of films, starting in 1938 with Okay For Sound (director Marcel Varney). 'Crazy' was the right word for them: their antics combined verbal gymnastics with farce and elaborate physical comedy, and it all seemed totally unstructured - lunatic stream-of-consciousness complemented by custard pies. Off stage too they developed an infamous reputation as practical jokers, and played many pranks on one another and fellow guest stars; hoaxes that ranged from the harmless to the cruel and, on some occasions, the downright dangerous. The team remained hugely popular for many years, Flanagan in particular being adored by the British public.
They are sometimes compared to the Marx Brothers - and that may have been true about the live shows that the Marxes used to prepare material for filming. I would think the parallel is closer to Hellzapoppin'.
Before they fade away...
Well, before they fade (and I know they weren't PC, their jokes - it's a long time ago)
the only image of Eddy I could find on the web
I'll have to find some hard copy to scan. Anyway, I once met Eddy's brother in Battersea Park. I was doing a show with (probably) The Raree Show - and he took me aside afterwards (me, a self-taught juggler) and showed me more possibilities to work on than I could even imagine. Not just showing-off hard stuff, but good solid gags, safe funny moves - the stuff audiences like, not the stuff that impresses other jugglers, necessarily. He gave me the right mix of skill and crowd-pleasing to maximise the impact of my minimal talent and/or experience.
I worked on the material from that ten minutes in the park for the next year or two. Meetings With Remarkable Men has nothing on this....
the only image of Eddy I could find on the web
I'll have to find some hard copy to scan. Anyway, I once met Eddy's brother in Battersea Park. I was doing a show with (probably) The Raree Show - and he took me aside afterwards (me, a self-taught juggler) and showed me more possibilities to work on than I could even imagine. Not just showing-off hard stuff, but good solid gags, safe funny moves - the stuff audiences like, not the stuff that impresses other jugglers, necessarily. He gave me the right mix of skill and crowd-pleasing to maximise the impact of my minimal talent and/or experience.
I worked on the material from that ten minutes in the park for the next year or two. Meetings With Remarkable Men has nothing on this....
Before it fades away....
...the last post on the blog (showing) was about Music Hall, and there was a link which may have escaped your attention - to an article about Vaudeville, which I thought was excellent.
In the UK, in the 1940s and 50s, The Crazy Gang were Britain's favourite comics. Of course, a lot of it is corny now, and dated humour BUT they were a group of double acts who had joined together, and there was only one solo performer in the group, but perhaps not of the group...
Monsewer Eddie Gray.
I am going to lift a quote:
COPYRIGHT 2002 The New York Observer
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group
I guess you had to be there. He was a juggler, though they didn't mention it in that rather more general article (though there are several gems if you go visit), and it does sound as though M. Gray could have been funny doing anything - like Tommy Cooper. (OK, OK - local UK references - I have no idea whether people in other countries have even heard of these guys).
You have your own comedy heroes. Or, if you're in Bulgaria, you get Norman Wisdom.
(Nothing against Norman, let it be said, one of the classic music hall pratfall artists of his day). If only he didn't sing (but that's just me) oh and the sentiment (oh just me again?) which turns up in Chaplin and may just be a working class element that eludes me (ooh eludes!)
I don't like sentiment, it's like emotions for people who don't really feel them. The nazis made sentimental movies. yer know. Anyway...
I like Buster Keaton because in his feature films he often starts out rich and stupid and naive, and through the film develops his daring, and ingenuity, and self-confidence - and ends up with a (perhaps poor) sensible and happy and empowered life.
Initiation myths, not tooth fairies (sentiment). Growing up, not winning the lottery.
And I like W.C.Fields, not because he is good to look at (Gaaaah! with finger twiddle) but because of his unremitting passive aggressive approach to the world. There is no sentiment in the other people's characters at all - they all seem to want something from him (except daughters, some times). Fields doesn't appear sentimental either, but he may be the kind of drunk who drinks because of the shattered dreams of a romantic spirit. Curious that people think of drunks as insensitive, when it is often hypersensitivity that drives them to numb the input.
(mumble) But I digress....
Amazin, isn't it? Laurel and Hardy are Dic and Doc, or Fat and Thin, or anyone you like...These films went around the world. What we on earth call universal.
In the UK, in the 1940s and 50s, The Crazy Gang were Britain's favourite comics. Of course, a lot of it is corny now, and dated humour BUT they were a group of double acts who had joined together, and there was only one solo performer in the group, but perhaps not of the group...
Monsewer Eddie Gray.
I am going to lift a quote:
COPYRIGHT 2002 The New York Observer
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group
Vaudeville was the "Theatre of the Absurd" before its time. When Sir John Betjeman was poet laureate of England, he was invited by a London newspaper to have lunch with the person he would most like to meet. He wisely chose "Monsewer" Eddie Gray, who was known as "the black swan of music hall." "Monsewer" Eddie spoke Cockney and mangled French and wore a ridiculous, glued-on curled mustache. "Madame and masseurs," he would confidently announce. "How are you, all right? Enjoyin' yourself? I'll soon put a stop to that."
I guess you had to be there. He was a juggler, though they didn't mention it in that rather more general article (though there are several gems if you go visit), and it does sound as though M. Gray could have been funny doing anything - like Tommy Cooper. (OK, OK - local UK references - I have no idea whether people in other countries have even heard of these guys).
You have your own comedy heroes. Or, if you're in Bulgaria, you get Norman Wisdom.
(Nothing against Norman, let it be said, one of the classic music hall pratfall artists of his day). If only he didn't sing (but that's just me) oh and the sentiment (oh just me again?) which turns up in Chaplin and may just be a working class element that eludes me (ooh eludes!)
I don't like sentiment, it's like emotions for people who don't really feel them. The nazis made sentimental movies. yer know. Anyway...
I like Buster Keaton because in his feature films he often starts out rich and stupid and naive, and through the film develops his daring, and ingenuity, and self-confidence - and ends up with a (perhaps poor) sensible and happy and empowered life.
Initiation myths, not tooth fairies (sentiment). Growing up, not winning the lottery.
And I like W.C.Fields, not because he is good to look at (Gaaaah! with finger twiddle) but because of his unremitting passive aggressive approach to the world. There is no sentiment in the other people's characters at all - they all seem to want something from him (except daughters, some times). Fields doesn't appear sentimental either, but he may be the kind of drunk who drinks because of the shattered dreams of a romantic spirit. Curious that people think of drunks as insensitive, when it is often hypersensitivity that drives them to numb the input.
(mumble) But I digress....
Amazin, isn't it? Laurel and Hardy are Dic and Doc, or Fat and Thin, or anyone you like...These films went around the world. What we on earth call universal.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
That explains it...
This is very spooky - but spot on - from the CTheory site.
George Bush really IS Chance the Gardener from Being There, elected by that very cadre that carry the coffin towards the (23) mausoleum...how could I have missed it?
George Bush really IS Chance the Gardener from Being There, elected by that very cadre that carry the coffin towards the (23) mausoleum...how could I have missed it?
Ron Steigler: Mr. Gardner, uh, my editors and I have been wondering if you would consider writing a book for us, something about your um, political philosophy, what do you say?
Chance the Gardener: I can't write.
Ron Steigler: Heh, heh, of course not, who can nowadays? Listen, I have trouble writing a postcard to my children. Look uhh, we can give you a six figure advance, I've provide you with the very best ghost-writer, proof-readers...
Chance the Gardener: I can't read.
Ron Steigler: Of course you can't! No one has the time! We, we glance at things, we watch television...
Chance the Gardener: I like to watch TV.
Ron Steigler: Oh, oh, oh sure you do. No one reads!
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
A Muse and A Maze - your friends
As I doubt that many people find the page where I link to magical stuff (well, it's supposed to be a little bit secret) - I thought I would put a couple of the more amazing 'related arts' links here for your entertainment...
I recently read Ian Rowland's book on 'cold reading' and it was great (though I remain theoretical).
I love the puzzle cards he makes (Wow - ReFlexions and Flinks) (but haven't invested in one yet).
He also has a couple of 'impossible objects' or PPOs (Permanent Paranormal Objects) - a topological area that fascinates me.
And finally, why not look at his excellent and intriguing set of links , but be warned - you may be gone for some time!
Finally, I'd like to say thanks to him, for the link to Val Andrews' Book Test, which I ordered from Val - and it is truly simple and devious. To find this you will need to go to his Magicians Only page. Sorry, can't help with the password, but it really shouldn't be difficult if you have ANY magical knowledge at all. Let's face it, I don't claim much - member of the London Society of Magicians Junior Section for a few years - dropped all magic to try to concentrate on the education my mum wanted me to acquire - then dropped out of school - and used a few simple, strong tricks in my street show. Used to hang out with Jake (and pick his brains) at Davenports (when it was opposite the British Museum) and Alan Alan at his shop down the road.
I recently read Ian Rowland's book on 'cold reading' and it was great (though I remain theoretical).
I love the puzzle cards he makes (Wow - ReFlexions and Flinks) (but haven't invested in one yet).
He also has a couple of 'impossible objects' or PPOs (Permanent Paranormal Objects) - a topological area that fascinates me.
And finally, why not look at his excellent and intriguing set of links , but be warned - you may be gone for some time!
Finally, I'd like to say thanks to him, for the link to Val Andrews' Book Test, which I ordered from Val - and it is truly simple and devious. To find this you will need to go to his Magicians Only page. Sorry, can't help with the password, but it really shouldn't be difficult if you have ANY magical knowledge at all. Let's face it, I don't claim much - member of the London Society of Magicians Junior Section for a few years - dropped all magic to try to concentrate on the education my mum wanted me to acquire - then dropped out of school - and used a few simple, strong tricks in my street show. Used to hang out with Jake (and pick his brains) at Davenports (when it was opposite the British Museum) and Alan Alan at his shop down the road.
But seriously though, Bob....
It cheered me up to come across the Playboy Interview with Dylan, back in – oh, 1966.
Good jokes, of course, and funny locutions. More importantly – I like his refusal to answer a question until he has examined the underlying assumptions and implications of the question.
This is way before NLP, but long after General Semantics had analysed the way language hypnotises us – although people like R.D.Laing were already challenging the boorish assumptions of ‘everyday thought’ and ‘common sense’ – and back then it was considered flippant and smart-ass and rebellious whereas I read it as trying to answer the question (and its assumptions) accurately….
But then I’m a wise-ass, too.
And there's a definitive collection of interview material here.
Good jokes, of course, and funny locutions. More importantly – I like his refusal to answer a question until he has examined the underlying assumptions and implications of the question.
This is way before NLP, but long after General Semantics had analysed the way language hypnotises us – although people like R.D.Laing were already challenging the boorish assumptions of ‘everyday thought’ and ‘common sense’ – and back then it was considered flippant and smart-ass and rebellious whereas I read it as trying to answer the question (and its assumptions) accurately….
But then I’m a wise-ass, too.
And there's a definitive collection of interview material here.
The sun came out...
You know I am in trouble when I start to talk about the weather.
My inner landscape, with all its strange flora and fauna, is not a jungle I want to invite people into today - in there it is gloomy and overcast...
so "Have a Nice Day!"
"Cheer up, it may never happen!"
"You use 13 muscles to smile, and 53 muscles to frown!"
And if that doesn't make you feel like strangling me, and putting me out of my misery, then I don't know what will.
I am off now, to get a job as a clown for MacDonalds....
My inner landscape, with all its strange flora and fauna, is not a jungle I want to invite people into today - in there it is gloomy and overcast...
so "Have a Nice Day!"
"Cheer up, it may never happen!"
"You use 13 muscles to smile, and 53 muscles to frown!"
And if that doesn't make you feel like strangling me, and putting me out of my misery, then I don't know what will.
I am off now, to get a job as a clown for MacDonalds....
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Aloha to Aileen and everyone in Hawaii
I forgot to say I saw Aileen being hilarious on the outside stage at Glastonbury - didn't get to say hello as I didn't get picked out of the audience for ritual humiliation (someone else got lucky, as you can see) - big hi to her, and to everyone else I met in Hawaii - a couple of years ago... 
Slovenia is on the agenda for 2005
I saw Mr Jules again tonight, for a 'business meeting'. He has taken on the fairly thankless task of organising a European Juggling Convention in Slovenia for 2005.
I am up for it, even if I am a lapsed juggler. I enjoyed the adventures that juggling led me into (including ending up running an unorthodox convention of my own in Spain in 1986). There's no money in it. No up-front money to lubricate the negotiations, and no profit at the end as a reward.
Anyway, there he is, trying to make it work, more or less on his own - and I will certainly do what I can to help. The best I can offer these days is to be an anchor man (same address, same email, same webpage, still here a year later...)
I will keep you up-to-date with what I know, but it's a sub-culture thing. Unless you think a creative european youth culture is something we should invest our time and money in (as I do).
All contributions of ideas, money, connections, etc very welcome.
No idea too crazy...
As Jules' publicity says "No gig to far, no fee too big".
I am up for it, even if I am a lapsed juggler. I enjoyed the adventures that juggling led me into (including ending up running an unorthodox convention of my own in Spain in 1986). There's no money in it. No up-front money to lubricate the negotiations, and no profit at the end as a reward.
You don't have to be crazy to work here, but if you aren't crazy, you must be plain stupid...
Anyway, there he is, trying to make it work, more or less on his own - and I will certainly do what I can to help. The best I can offer these days is to be an anchor man (same address, same email, same webpage, still here a year later...)
I will keep you up-to-date with what I know, but it's a sub-culture thing. Unless you think a creative european youth culture is something we should invest our time and money in (as I do).
All contributions of ideas, money, connections, etc very welcome.
No idea too crazy...
As Jules' publicity says "No gig to far, no fee too big".
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
You hvae to raed tihs, serously jsut raed it
Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrgde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny imropetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit plcae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wtihuot a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
I 'lifted' this (subject line and all) from this other blog - thanks to The Phil for finding it (or writing it).
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Sleepy Head
I do seem to have been dozy recently. I have a dozen theories, of course. It's the summer, and I should be in a hammock; I have done a 9-5 job for the last six years (first time in my life) but the body clock is still nocturnal; Since Julie went onto Atkins, I have been feeding myself, so maybe my nutritional balance is getting a bit 'bachelor'; I am approaching 60, so perhaps I am expecting too much from an ageing system; after Glastonbury (ten days of more or less waking and sleeping as I felt like it) my system doesn't like the clock-time regime; for whatever reason I am in retreat from social involvement, and always edging towards my 'day-dream' mode of internal exploration; etc.
Yawn, yawn....
Perhaps it's the drugs? The coffee isn't strong enough? There is a lingering effect of smoking? I mean, I didn't even drink much at all in Glastonbury...I drink more at home, what with all the visitors and birthdays, etc - fizzy drinks for grown-ups...
Of course, it all goes back to the siesta - when I was in Spain, I used to have a lunchtime drink on purpose, to induce the snooze function that goes with this hot, humid weather.
Yawn, yawn....
Yawn, yawn....
Perhaps it's the drugs? The coffee isn't strong enough? There is a lingering effect of smoking? I mean, I didn't even drink much at all in Glastonbury...I drink more at home, what with all the visitors and birthdays, etc - fizzy drinks for grown-ups...
Of course, it all goes back to the siesta - when I was in Spain, I used to have a lunchtime drink on purpose, to induce the snooze function that goes with this hot, humid weather.
Yawn, yawn....
uh-oh I deleted a post when I thought I was adding to it...
Anyway, thanks to S23 for the positive thought about car-sharing in The Bay Area.
That kind of local car pool is slightly different from the 'to work and back' thing which Cardiff Council is trying to organise - just because they have increased the workforce at County Hall without increasing the parking facilities. A bodge, in other words...
Still, if people in the USA can do this, there is hope for us all...I guess...
That kind of local car pool is slightly different from the 'to work and back' thing which Cardiff Council is trying to organise - just because they have increased the workforce at County Hall without increasing the parking facilities. A bodge, in other words...
Still, if people in the USA can do this, there is hope for us all...I guess...
Monday, July 05, 2004
fame and fortune fuck you up...
I hate to do spoilers, but that is the punchline to OZ:A Rock and Roll Movie. I just thought I'd spell it out here, in case you saw the 'clean' version for TV.
I have watched the additional material, but haven't got around to watching the DVD movie, yet (waiting for my partner to be available).
I noticed, however, that Lyne Helms seems to have left the planet, as the new release I just bought from Family Box Office has a dedication to her. (sigh) I assume it was she that was working with Aboriginal people on arts projects (?) that I found in Google.
This was Lyne, back in the days when I was playing Gloria, the friendly gorilla...
Rest In Peace
I have watched the additional material, but haven't got around to watching the DVD movie, yet (waiting for my partner to be available).
I noticed, however, that Lyne Helms seems to have left the planet, as the new release I just bought from Family Box Office has a dedication to her. (sigh) I assume it was she that was working with Aboriginal people on arts projects (?) that I found in Google.
This was Lyne, back in the days when I was playing Gloria, the friendly gorilla...
Rest In Peace
Saturday, July 03, 2004
Tatifilarious
Just one of the beautiful 'buried' gags in Jacques Tati's "Playtime" (must be seen on a BIG screen).
Friday, July 02, 2004
...but polio may not be a virus...
In The Ecologist this month there is a long article linking Polio to DDT and other toxic pesticides, rather than to a virus.
It makes me grateful all over again to my parents. My dad was a Food Reform type, which is why I grew up as a vegetarian (even though it was my mother who actually did all the work of upbringing).
I was also allowed to not drink cow’s milk (long before the fashion for food allergy explanations of illness – lacto intolerance, etc) even though it was ‘compulsory’ in schools. No doubt the government was continuing with its plan to keep the population healthy (started during WW11) and not just promoting dairy farming for profit fnord; I was also allowed to not have any of the inoculations ‘against’ polio (see above), whooping cough, and so on. It does seem now that they were either ineffective or positively likely to give you polio, etc. I never understood the hysteria this generated. I remember people calling it ‘irresponsible’ to not inoculate children. My only counter used to be “well, if all your own children have been inoculated I am the only one who can end up ill”.
Nowadays the counter to that is not that my parents were putting me at risk; or that they were putting other people’s children at risk; it would be to do with the cost of looking after me if I did fall ill.
But hey - I am lucky I didn't get polio on my fruitarian diet - given that it was fruit they were most intensively spraying...
Here's a starting point
And this one says that being breastfed helped me; as did not having my tonsils out....
It makes me grateful all over again to my parents. My dad was a Food Reform type, which is why I grew up as a vegetarian (even though it was my mother who actually did all the work of upbringing).
I was also allowed to not drink cow’s milk (long before the fashion for food allergy explanations of illness – lacto intolerance, etc) even though it was ‘compulsory’ in schools. No doubt the government was continuing with its plan to keep the population healthy (started during WW11) and not just promoting dairy farming for profit fnord; I was also allowed to not have any of the inoculations ‘against’ polio (see above), whooping cough, and so on. It does seem now that they were either ineffective or positively likely to give you polio, etc. I never understood the hysteria this generated. I remember people calling it ‘irresponsible’ to not inoculate children. My only counter used to be “well, if all your own children have been inoculated I am the only one who can end up ill”.
Nowadays the counter to that is not that my parents were putting me at risk; or that they were putting other people’s children at risk; it would be to do with the cost of looking after me if I did fall ill.
But hey - I am lucky I didn't get polio on my fruitarian diet - given that it was fruit they were most intensively spraying...
Here's a starting point
And this one says that being breastfed helped me; as did not having my tonsils out....
MFU (not the Man From Uncle)
I have started reading the copy I got recently, and am enjoying it. I don't have any deep desire to know who HC is (who wrote it) - as it might be Hagbard Celine, but it might not.....
More to the point, having heard it was originally published online, I Googled it, and ended up here, which was most enlightening....
More to the point, having heard it was originally published online, I Googled it, and ended up here, which was most enlightening....
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Impermanence and Rain - 16 Gidouille 132 E.P. Saint Inventaire, poète
I got a great package from the Impermanent Press yesterday - some tapes of RAW, a book about PKD, and a book called MFU.
Sorry about the TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms - that is a self-referential one).
It's always nice to hear Bob's voice (Mr Wilson, that is) - and this tape also has laughter, rain and thunder on it, like an echo of Glastonbury....
And I stumbled across the site dedicated to Bob (Mr Dylan, that is) called Expecting Rain - and had forgotten how good it was.
Sorry about the TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms - that is a self-referential one).
It's always nice to hear Bob's voice (Mr Wilson, that is) - and this tape also has laughter, rain and thunder on it, like an echo of Glastonbury....
And I stumbled across the site dedicated to Bob (Mr Dylan, that is) called Expecting Rain - and had forgotten how good it was.
Ah, me ....
And, feeling like an ex-vaudevillean, not the life and soul of the party this time out, I remembered the words of Dan Leno "Ah, what is Man? Wherefore does he why? Whence did he whence? Wither is he withering?"
For some more glimpses of English Music Hall (UK Vaudeville) see this article, although I don't agree about Seinfeld (a comic I like), I do agree about Max Wall (who I saw live a couple of times).
For some more glimpses of English Music Hall (UK Vaudeville) see this article, although I don't agree about Seinfeld (a comic I like), I do agree about Max Wall (who I saw live a couple of times).
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Aaargh - gotta be the earliest sighting yet....
I picked up the Newsletter of the RSPB today, published in May 2004 - to read this:
Originally we were going to have to hold the Annual Autumn/Christmas Fayre in October, due to changes... (blah,blah)
Happily we have been informed we can have a date nearer Christmas. The Fayre will now be held on 13th November 2004.
Back from the Field
I've been in the fields for the last ten days, so no computers/emails/phones to deal with.
Bliss!
Actually, it was quite wet and windy a lot of the time, but it was still fun to potter around watching shows.
At Glastonbury I rarely see/hear much of the music shows - I tend to hang out around the circus and cabaret tents, which I find more amusing....unless the sun is shining and the reggae/dub sound washes over the field.....
Just catching up, I'll do more this evening.
Back at the desk now.
Bliss!
Actually, it was quite wet and windy a lot of the time, but it was still fun to potter around watching shows.
At Glastonbury I rarely see/hear much of the music shows - I tend to hang out around the circus and cabaret tents, which I find more amusing....unless the sun is shining and the reggae/dub sound washes over the field.....
Just catching up, I'll do more this evening.
Back at the desk now.
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