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Life imitates good writing
Back in April I linked to a short story by Siân Preece called 'Getting Up', about a troublesome teenage artist who discovers ancient cave paintings in South Wales, then adds some graffiti of his own as a form of dialogue across the millennia. Cave paintings are not known in South Wales but ancient rock art is, and some previously unknown art has ( Read more... ) -
Lest "we" forget
"We - the people in suits - often see hoodies as aggressive, the uniform of a rebel army of young gangsters. But hoodies are more defensive than offensive. They're a way to stay invisible in the street. In a dangerous environment the best thing to do is keep your head down, blend in."
- David Cameron, 2006
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AKICILJ - more fictional British islands
Okay, further to my previous post, here's what I have so far in my search for fictional British islands. Thanks to those who've suggested some... anyone know of more?
Armorel
A fictional Channel Island based on Sark, from Jerrard Tickell's novel Appointment with Venus.
QwghlmFrom Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle. As I haven't read any of these ( Read more... ) -
In which I go so far as to add to a newspaper's comment/troll section
Barbara Ellen of the Guardian says farewell and good riddance to Little Britain. Ellen is badly underestimating the intelligence of people who enjoy comedy that she doesn't. The blindingly obvious point to it all, it seems, had always passed way over her head: that it was satire. Whether the humour actually appeals is irrelevant. The underlying ( Read more... ) -
Ghost Town
The Specials' timeless 'Ghost Town' is 30 years old. While it's become one of those songs that captured a zeitgeist, I think it was largely (though not completely) down to fortuitous timing, with the song being used as a soundtrack to many of the documentary clips of the rioting that happened across Britain just weeks later. I recall a 1981 ( Read more... ) -
Fossil Poetry
- Word Police: Chav. You can talk about it but you can't use it.
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Brrrraggadocio
"There are two types of people in the world: Winners and... I don't know how to say the word, I can't say it."
One of the specific reasons I've never watched The Apprentice, although if I could ever tolerate the chilling arrogance of these irritating Losers it looks like I might be in for a few good laughs. -
Star Count Week
The Campaign to Protect Rural England and The Campaign for Dark Skies want people to look up at Orion - one of the most recognisable constellations in the winter night sky - and count the stars they see.
To explain, here's a very mellow 5-minute audio slideshow, also with some lovely 'earth from space' graphics.
Click to view