For those of you lucky enough to be far enough North and in a position to enjoy pitch darkness outwith the city glow, have a look out for the predicted Aurora tonight - that's if the satelite interference has allowed the site to post, perhaps there is something electrical in the air?. Meanwhile I'm still working on a few notes about the holiday, until then - something silly to keep you busy.
I'm back. Great holiday. Work being work I am too stressed and busy to write at the moment but hope to get a chance to write a bit about the holiday and maybe even put a few pics from my wee digicam up. I even tried to blog again from the top of a mountain, on my phone last week. The Monday post worked but I was higher on Thursday! It let me write it all but wapblogger decided that it's service was not receiving just at that time and well, the moment was kind of lost after that and I never got the chance to climb another 2,500ft to get a reception again! The annoying thing was that I wasn't sure if it had worked or not until last night.
posted by Red Writer
Monday, October 20
Life is good at the top of a mountain. My new walking pole has given me a new lease of life.
posted by Red Writer
Saturday, October 18
High on the list of minor frustrations today (or about 11:30pm last night to be precise) is a broken washing machine - not conducive to the normal, chaotic, last-minute packing for a holiday! In truth, not a minor frustration ....a bloody big gigantic one. Not to mention expensive. Why now? Why couldn't it limp along like it has been doing for the last two years and wait for just one more week or even two? I'm blaming Murphy or Sod or whoever is in charge of these laws. Can I sue them?
posted by Red Writer
Friday, October 17
I love autumn, it makes me smile
posted by Red Writer
Going away for a few days. Might try to blog from my phone posted by Red Writer
Tuesday, October 14
Great news for historians and photographers alike - a collection of over 12 million historic photos has been brought to life on the web by britishpathe which is owned by ITN. The images date back to 1896 and include photos of the D day landings. They have been created by "rescanning every inch of the archive’s 3,500 hours of 35mm film" no mean feat!
And not to be outdone, film buffs will also be delighted that at last historical Scottish films are to be available on the web. Footage includes the first film of X-ray photography, filming of the Loch Ness monster in 1936, the first X-ray, demonstrated by Dr John Macintyre in 1896 and footage of Queen Victoria strolling around the grounds of Balmoral in the same year. If you want to see a sample of what is available, watch the video on the above link.
More alarmingly, blood supplies in Scotland have reached dangerously low levels meaning that some operations may have to be cancelled. SNBTS have issued an emergency appeal, so if you are a regular donor living in Scotland, or even if you have never given blood before, think about it. I don't want to sound like an advert but.....it could save a life! Here is a list of scottish donation venues.
posted by Red Writer
Sunday, October 12
And so it has started. I'm not sure how I will cope this time. We didn't have Sky television four years ago and the children were younger and I could divert my time to them. Now we do have Sky and the children have disappeared (sometimes literally) into a world known only unto teenagers which I am definitely not invited. I suspect my enforced solitude will span more prolonged periods on the basis of enhanced technology - that said, at least I have the pc and unlucky for some I may spend more time here...read more
posted by Red Writer
Friday, October 10
Turn your blind eye And loose your vision. Take your good nature And then abused it. Illusionary trust, evaporated.
It is dark in here. Silent yet screaming. A familiar place, Not a welcome one. Safety from within.
Shut down your performance. Lock up your mind. Spare it from false, Pretentious desparation. Ignore your intuition.
It is dark in here. Silent yet screaming. A familiar place, Not a welcome one. Safety from within.
Watch now behind you Too late! It has struck. It glistened and glinted, in the cold moonlight night. Piercing and deep.
It is dark in here. Silent and screaming. A familiar place, Not a welcome one. Safety from within.
Take all your boundaries Tear them apart. Your judgement means Nothing here. Values destroyed evermore.
It is dark in here. Silent yet screaming. A familiar place, Not a welcome one. Safety from within.
posted by Red Writer
Thursday, October 9
What is your personality type? The Big Five is currently the most accepted personality model in the scientific community. The Big Five emerged from the work of multiple independent scientists/researchers starting in the 1950s who using different techniques obtained similar results. Those results were that there are five distinct personality traits/dimensions. Take the test here
posted by Red Writer
Tuesday, October 7
Join in the debate.....Does art sell on the internet? There are some valid points here. What do you think?
posted by Red Writer
Sunday, October 5
I thought I lived in a nice city! But an attack on a pizza man and a separate road rage incident seems to suggest violence is on the up. Why are some people so needlessly violent? Maybe it's got something to do with promoting road rage in a childs game? -requires shockwave. Perhaps this is not quite such a good idea - maybe even a tad irresponsible? Considering the object of the game is to "Maintain your Rage Level by smashing the other cars" and if you manage to smash into enough of them you achieve the greatest accolade of "Highland Warrior"!!! Have I missed something?? Perhaps there are other, less controversial, games on the Electric Scotland site?
Sundays are good again - Monarch of the Glen has returned. Having driven past the house and loch the other week, there is added interest in our house, in trying to spot some of the location shots. The website even has an opportunity for budding writers to send in a report for the Glenbogle Bugle. Between that and the Canterbury Tales opportunity, Get Writing, the BBC still seem to be looking for new talent. Get those writing fingers tapping.
posted by Red Writer
Saturday, October 4
Another year. Another winner. Congratulations Alex! ... what is her surname? And after his year of celebrity fame, what did happen to David Sneddon? Ashamedly, I still get caught up in all this wannabe singers stuff but I really hope Alex does have a long and successful singer/song writer career ahead of her. She does have a pretty unique voice and just that something special which I hope will see her throught the first year and way beyond all the hype.
posted by Red Writer
Thursday, October 2
I despair at this and this. Perhaps I should spend my new day off a week walking around with flash cards trying to educate the British public. Might throw a few of my own in - just so they know who I am too!
posted by Red Writer
Wednesday, October 1
I really like the art of Kris Borchardt. I like the idea that art is made from the objects people have discarded. Article by Angelica Pence of the San Fransisco Chronicle.
posted by Red Writer
Sign the dog and cat fur petition here. Can you believe people really wear that.....yuech. It brings a whole new concept to the term "kitten heel" shoes!
posted by Red Writer
So much to do, so little time! But I did promise to post this recipie for a quick Onion Tart: (UK measurements) Make a short-crust pastry shell and bake blind in hot oven for 10 mins. Saute 225g (1/2 lb) sliced onions in 50g (2 oz) of butter until soft Mix the onions with 300ml (1/2 pint) of single cream, one beaten egg, (optional) salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Pour into the pastry shell and bake in a preheated 375 F/190 C/Gas 5 oven for 20 minutes.
Although it tastes really nice on its own, it's also a great way to use up any left overs - any cooked, veg, fish or meat works. Broccoli and smoked salmon work well for the non-vegetarians.
