Leonard Cohen reportedly took five years to write the lyrics of Hallelujah, and his own explanation of the song's appeal was: "It's got a great chorus", but there is more to it than that, as outlined by Richard Godwin in the Evening Standard:
"The secret of good lyrics is less that they hang together under analysis and more that they convey a certain feeling. In Hallelujah's case it is a desire for transcendence, and despite the song's moral complexity, this is so eloquently expressed that it can be felt by anyone."
Richard Godwin, Evening Standard
standard.co.uk
godwin.thisislondon.co.uk
Tuesday 23 December 2008
Tuesday 16 December 2008
Christmas - Christ's official birthday - but when was he actually born?
Christmas is the time when we officially celebrate the birth of Christ, but it seems likely that this date was chosen to fit in with existing pagan celebrations around the winter solstice, rather than being an accurate record of his actual birthday.
Given the references to lambs in the fields at the time of his birth, Spring has been put forward as a possible alternative.
However, the latest astronomical findings point to a theory that Jesus may have been born in June.
Australian stargazer Dave Reneke used advanced computer software to calculate the position of planets in the night sky as they would have looked around 2,000 years ago.
A rare conjunction of Venus and Jupiter on June 17 in the year 2BC would have appeared as a spectacular beacon of light akin to a very bright star.
If this was the case, astrologically speaking, Christ would not be a Capricorn as was previously supposed, but a Gemini.
Given the references to lambs in the fields at the time of his birth, Spring has been put forward as a possible alternative.
However, the latest astronomical findings point to a theory that Jesus may have been born in June.
Australian stargazer Dave Reneke used advanced computer software to calculate the position of planets in the night sky as they would have looked around 2,000 years ago.
A rare conjunction of Venus and Jupiter on June 17 in the year 2BC would have appeared as a spectacular beacon of light akin to a very bright star.
If this was the case, astrologically speaking, Christ would not be a Capricorn as was previously supposed, but a Gemini.
Sunday 23 November 2008
voyages of discovery
Quote of the week:
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."
- Marcel Proust
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."
- Marcel Proust
Friday 14 November 2008
Galaxy Zoo
Galaxy Zoo - the project which harnesses the power of the internet - plus your brainpower - to classify a million galaxies.
www.galaxyzoo.org
www.galaxyzoo.org
Tuesday 21 October 2008
Goop from Gwyneth
Gwyneth Paltrow has set up a website called Goop - (the name is based round her initials and Goop is, reportedly, a family nickname.) The site reflects on experiences which make life good, and aims to "nourish the inner aspect".
Surfers seeking enlightenment, or practical advice, will have to be patient, as the site is currently in the early stages of development.
goop.com
Surfers seeking enlightenment, or practical advice, will have to be patient, as the site is currently in the early stages of development.
goop.com
Monday 20 October 2008
Rethink the economy, save the planet
To most economists, growth is as essential as the air we breathe. But according to some scientists, our dependence on economic expansion is the single biggest threat to the planet, and our quality of life. New Scientist brings together key thinkers in this growing minority who believe that if we are serious about saving our planet we must rethink the economic system...
In recent weeks it has become clear just how terrified governments are of anything that threatens growth, as they pour billions of public money into a failing financial system. How do we square Earth's finite resources with the fact that as the economy grows, the amount of natural resources needed to sustain that activity must grow too?
In a special issue, New Scientist brings together key thinkers from politics, economics and philosophy who disagree with the growth dogma but agree with the scientists monitoring our fragile biosphere. Ecological economist Herman Daly explains why our economy is blind to the environmental costs of growth ("The World Bank's blind spot"). Tim Jackson, adviser to the UK government on sustainable development, believes that technological fixes won't compensate for the hair-raising speed at which the economy is expanding ("Why politicians dare not limit economic growth").
Gus Speth, one-time environment adviser to President Jimmy Carter, explains why he believes green values have no chance against today's capitalism ("Champion for green growth"), while Susan George, a leading thinker of the political left, argues that only a global government-led effort can shift the destructive course we are on ("We must think big to fight environmental disaster").
newscientist.com
In recent weeks it has become clear just how terrified governments are of anything that threatens growth, as they pour billions of public money into a failing financial system. How do we square Earth's finite resources with the fact that as the economy grows, the amount of natural resources needed to sustain that activity must grow too?
In a special issue, New Scientist brings together key thinkers from politics, economics and philosophy who disagree with the growth dogma but agree with the scientists monitoring our fragile biosphere. Ecological economist Herman Daly explains why our economy is blind to the environmental costs of growth ("The World Bank's blind spot"). Tim Jackson, adviser to the UK government on sustainable development, believes that technological fixes won't compensate for the hair-raising speed at which the economy is expanding ("Why politicians dare not limit economic growth").
Gus Speth, one-time environment adviser to President Jimmy Carter, explains why he believes green values have no chance against today's capitalism ("Champion for green growth"), while Susan George, a leading thinker of the political left, argues that only a global government-led effort can shift the destructive course we are on ("We must think big to fight environmental disaster").
newscientist.com
Wednesday 15 October 2008
Monday 6 October 2008
State of the blogosphere
What is a Blog? The Lines Continue To Blur
A Blog (a contraction of the term "Web log") is a Web site, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.
The Blogosphere is the collective community of all blogs. Since all blogs are on the Internet by definition, they may be seen as interconnected and socially networked. Discussions "in the Blogosphere" have been used by the media as a gauge of public opinion on various issues.
But as the Blogosphere grows in size and influence, the lines between what is a blog and what is a mainstream media site become less clear. Larger blogs are taking on more characteristics of mainstream sites and mainstream sites are incorporating styles and formats from the Blogosphere. In fact, 95% of the top 100 US newspapers have reporter blogs.
For more see www.technorati.com - state of the blogosphere 08
A Blog (a contraction of the term "Web log") is a Web site, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.
The Blogosphere is the collective community of all blogs. Since all blogs are on the Internet by definition, they may be seen as interconnected and socially networked. Discussions "in the Blogosphere" have been used by the media as a gauge of public opinion on various issues.
But as the Blogosphere grows in size and influence, the lines between what is a blog and what is a mainstream media site become less clear. Larger blogs are taking on more characteristics of mainstream sites and mainstream sites are incorporating styles and formats from the Blogosphere. In fact, 95% of the top 100 US newspapers have reporter blogs.
For more see www.technorati.com - state of the blogosphere 08
Sunday 5 October 2008
Wednesday 24 September 2008
Hadron collider halted
The Large Hadron Collider near Geneva is expected to be out of action for several months.
Part of the giant physics experiment was turned off while engineers investigated a failure which caused some of the super-cooled magnets to heat up by as much as 100 degrees.
The damaged sector needs to be warmed up from its operating temperature - of near absolute zero - so that repairs can be made, and then cooled down again.
This process is estimated to take at least two months and the LHC could be out of aciton for longer.
Part of the giant physics experiment was turned off while engineers investigated a failure which caused some of the super-cooled magnets to heat up by as much as 100 degrees.
The damaged sector needs to be warmed up from its operating temperature - of near absolute zero - so that repairs can be made, and then cooled down again.
This process is estimated to take at least two months and the LHC could be out of aciton for longer.
Tuesday 23 September 2008
Large hadron collider
"I thought of throwing an end of the world party but I was worried some people might not realise it was a joke!"
Stephen Hawking's comment when the large hadron collider went into action.
The LHC has been nicknamed the "Big Bang Machine" because scientists will use it to recreate the cosmic conditions just after the Big Bang, in the hope of finding insights into the origins of matter. It consists of a 27 kilometer tunnel and huge underground caverns. The accelerator magnets that guide the beams on their circular orbit are supercooled to a temperature slightly above absolute zero, which is colder than outer space.
For more information, visit: http://events.internet2.edu/2008/fall-mm/
Stephen Hawking's comment when the large hadron collider went into action.
The LHC has been nicknamed the "Big Bang Machine" because scientists will use it to recreate the cosmic conditions just after the Big Bang, in the hope of finding insights into the origins of matter. It consists of a 27 kilometer tunnel and huge underground caverns. The accelerator magnets that guide the beams on their circular orbit are supercooled to a temperature slightly above absolute zero, which is colder than outer space.
For more information, visit: http://events.internet2.edu/2008/fall-mm/
Monday 1 September 2008
Dr Horrible
Dr Horrible's sing-along-blog
What Joss Wheedon did during the TV writers' strike.
Billed as the "internet sensation of the summer", it has become a top iTunes download. Worth a look if you haven't seen it already.
DVD release scheduled for November.
What Joss Wheedon did during the TV writers' strike.
Billed as the "internet sensation of the summer", it has become a top iTunes download. Worth a look if you haven't seen it already.
DVD release scheduled for November.
Monday 28 July 2008
What's in a Name? Why add Y?
Why Agyness added a Y to find fame and fortune
Supermodel Agyness Deyn used to be simply Laura Hollins - until she met name analyst Laurence Y Payg (previously known as Laurence David Adams).
"Changing a name changes the energy that powers the person's body," he explains.
He bases his advice on on a 3,000 year old Chinese technique.
Auspicious letters include: G, D O, Y and P (C and N are also favourable)
Inauspicious letters are: B, H, U, W, X, F and R
Supermodel Agyness Deyn used to be simply Laura Hollins - until she met name analyst Laurence Y Payg (previously known as Laurence David Adams).
"Changing a name changes the energy that powers the person's body," he explains.
He bases his advice on on a 3,000 year old Chinese technique.
Auspicious letters include: G, D O, Y and P (C and N are also favourable)
Inauspicious letters are: B, H, U, W, X, F and R
Thursday 17 July 2008
Problem solving: raising awareness
"You cannot solve problems with the same level of consciousness that created them."
Einstein
Einstein
Tuesday 15 July 2008
St Swithins Day is here again
Legend has it that the weather on St Swithins Day sets the scene for the following 40 days.
So let's hope a few sunny spells break through those clouds...
An old rhyme which has been part of oral tradition for centuries sums up the superstition:
'St Swithin’s Day, if it does rain
Full forty days, it will remain
St Swithin’s Day, if it be fair
For forty days, t'will rain no mair.'
St. Swithin (alternative spelling spelt Swithun) was a Saxon Bishop of Winchester and legend has it that as he lay on his deathbed, he asked to be buried out of doors, at one with nature, where the rain would fall on his grave.
For nine years, his wishes were followed, but then, on 15 July 971, the monks of Winchester attempted to remove his remains to a splendid shrine inside the cathedral. According to legend there was a heavy rain storm during the ceremony, which was taken to be a sign of St Swithin’s protest at the move.
This tale became embellished over time and embedded in folklore, although records suggest it is not always a reliable indicator of summer weather.
So let's hope a few sunny spells break through those clouds...
An old rhyme which has been part of oral tradition for centuries sums up the superstition:
'St Swithin’s Day, if it does rain
Full forty days, it will remain
St Swithin’s Day, if it be fair
For forty days, t'will rain no mair.'
St. Swithin (alternative spelling spelt Swithun) was a Saxon Bishop of Winchester and legend has it that as he lay on his deathbed, he asked to be buried out of doors, at one with nature, where the rain would fall on his grave.
For nine years, his wishes were followed, but then, on 15 July 971, the monks of Winchester attempted to remove his remains to a splendid shrine inside the cathedral. According to legend there was a heavy rain storm during the ceremony, which was taken to be a sign of St Swithin’s protest at the move.
This tale became embellished over time and embedded in folklore, although records suggest it is not always a reliable indicator of summer weather.
Thursday 10 July 2008
Zeitgeist Grand Slam
Zeitgeist Theatre presents:
A fun-packed evening of short plays
At the Bedford, Balham
This Sunday evening
A fun-packed evening of short plays
At the Bedford, Balham
This Sunday evening
Sunday 6 July 2008
Happy Birthday Dalai Lama
Born on July 6, 1935, the 14th Dalai Lama has Sun and ascendant in Cancer, the sign of home and family. He has Moon conjunct Neptune in Virgo. The Moon represents family, Virgo rules service, and Neptune is about sacrifice, compassion and spirituality.
Currently, transiting Saturn in Virgo is conjunct the Moon-Neptune aspect in his chart, pressuring him to take a stronger stand in the conflict with China. Since this is taking place in his third house of communications, talks may be frustrating. But Saturn also rules accomplishment, so there is some hope of creating a firmer foundation from which to negotiate Tibet's freedom.
Saturn in Pisces points to his destiny as a spiritual role model, especially since Saturn is in the 9th house of religion. Strengthening his faith and empathy with others is a grand water-trine involving Sun in Cancer, Jupiter in Scorpio and Saturn in Pisces. This highlights his ability to endear himself and his cause to so many people around the world.
Currently, transiting Saturn in Virgo is conjunct the Moon-Neptune aspect in his chart, pressuring him to take a stronger stand in the conflict with China. Since this is taking place in his third house of communications, talks may be frustrating. But Saturn also rules accomplishment, so there is some hope of creating a firmer foundation from which to negotiate Tibet's freedom.
Saturn in Pisces points to his destiny as a spiritual role model, especially since Saturn is in the 9th house of religion. Strengthening his faith and empathy with others is a grand water-trine involving Sun in Cancer, Jupiter in Scorpio and Saturn in Pisces. This highlights his ability to endear himself and his cause to so many people around the world.
Monday 23 June 2008
Eat Your Heart Out: making healthier choices
Eat Your Heart Out: Why the Food Business is Bad for the Planet and Your Health
By Felicity Lawrence
This book highlights the downside of food production.
According to the author: "Modern food production involves processes that have little care for real nutrition...are corrosive of society and depend on extravagant use of natural resources, from water to oil to land, which are running out."
Her suggestions for eating more healthily and improve the situation are to choose to shop and eat "organically, more locally, more seasonally, more directly from producers and independent retailers, more Fairtrade, less meat and animal produce, more wholegrains, pulses, fresh fruits and vegetables, fewer highly processed foods.. nothing highly packaged."
(Published by Penguin, price £8.99)
By Felicity Lawrence
This book highlights the downside of food production.
According to the author: "Modern food production involves processes that have little care for real nutrition...are corrosive of society and depend on extravagant use of natural resources, from water to oil to land, which are running out."
Her suggestions for eating more healthily and improve the situation are to choose to shop and eat "organically, more locally, more seasonally, more directly from producers and independent retailers, more Fairtrade, less meat and animal produce, more wholegrains, pulses, fresh fruits and vegetables, fewer highly processed foods.. nothing highly packaged."
(Published by Penguin, price £8.99)
Monday 9 June 2008
Future of the internet - preserving freedom of access
Internet providers around the globe are reported to be secretly in talks with access and content providers to transform the internet into a television-like medium.
Multinationals who already use big budgets to force their content into other media outlets want to approach the internet in the same way to gain monopoly and control.
This would mean that smaller websites and services would gradually disappear and be forced out of existence.
It would also mean the end to free access of the internet - and all its information -as subscribers would have to pay for "packages" limited to a specific number of sites, with further subscriptions required for more sites. The plan is to put this in place some time in 2012.
This is currently going on behind the scenes because those in charge don't want it to come to the attention of the general public and have people speaking out against it.
The more awareness there is, the more difficult it will be for internet providers to make this switch.
We need to be vigilant about any potential threat to freedom of acces to the internet. The first step is to use the power of the net to spread the word and raise awareness.
Multinationals who already use big budgets to force their content into other media outlets want to approach the internet in the same way to gain monopoly and control.
This would mean that smaller websites and services would gradually disappear and be forced out of existence.
It would also mean the end to free access of the internet - and all its information -as subscribers would have to pay for "packages" limited to a specific number of sites, with further subscriptions required for more sites. The plan is to put this in place some time in 2012.
This is currently going on behind the scenes because those in charge don't want it to come to the attention of the general public and have people speaking out against it.
The more awareness there is, the more difficult it will be for internet providers to make this switch.
We need to be vigilant about any potential threat to freedom of acces to the internet. The first step is to use the power of the net to spread the word and raise awareness.
Friday 6 June 2008
Eden event
Eden event
taking place over the Summer Solstice, 21-22nd June.
See the link below for more detailed information.
http://thegatheringofone.com/content1.asp?cat=2&id=2
taking place over the Summer Solstice, 21-22nd June.
See the link below for more detailed information.
http://thegatheringofone.com/content1.asp?cat=2&id=2
Friday 23 May 2008
Dalai Lama's message for peace
"The 20th Century was one of war and bloodshed. Let us make the 21st Century the century of dialogue. Then there will be a real possibility of peace."
Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama
Monday 19 May 2008
Happy Birthday Bunbanter
Happy Birthday to Bunbury Banter Theatre Company, celebrating its first anniversary.
The company was born from a desire to make theatre accessible to all, and is currently working on a new series of short radio plays.
www.bunbanter.com
The company was born from a desire to make theatre accessible to all, and is currently working on a new series of short radio plays.
www.bunbanter.com
Thursday 15 May 2008
Dalai Lama in London
The Dalai Lama's talk at the Royal Albert Hall was followed by a handshake for peace.
To help send the message for Tibet-China dialogue peacefully around the world, a three mile-long human chain handshake involving around 2,000 people, was organised along the streets of London, starting with the Dalai Lama and finishing at the Chinese embassy.
To help send the message for Tibet-China dialogue peacefully around the world, a three mile-long human chain handshake involving around 2,000 people, was organised along the streets of London, starting with the Dalai Lama and finishing at the Chinese embassy.
Wednesday 30 April 2008
Sharing Shakespeare around the Globe: UK and USA join forces to bring the bard to the worldwide web
The Bodleian Library, University of Oxford is joining forces with the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington DC, to create the Shakespeare Quartos Archive, a freely-accessible digital collection.
The one-year project will unite all 75 quarto editions of Shakespeare’s plays, pre-1641, into a single online collection. In the absence of surviving manuscripts, the quartos — Shakespeare’s earliest printed editions — offer the closest known evidence of what Shakespeare might actually have written, and what appeared on the early modern English stage.
They are of immense interest to scholars, teachers, editors, and theatre directors, yet due to their rarity and fragility, are not readily available for most to study. The Shakespeare Quartos Archive will make these earliest quartos freely accessible for in-depth study to Shakespeare students across the globe.
The one-year project will unite all 75 quarto editions of Shakespeare’s plays, pre-1641, into a single online collection. In the absence of surviving manuscripts, the quartos — Shakespeare’s earliest printed editions — offer the closest known evidence of what Shakespeare might actually have written, and what appeared on the early modern English stage.
They are of immense interest to scholars, teachers, editors, and theatre directors, yet due to their rarity and fragility, are not readily available for most to study. The Shakespeare Quartos Archive will make these earliest quartos freely accessible for in-depth study to Shakespeare students across the globe.
Monday 21 April 2008
geekspeak
Alpha Geek - the most technically proficient person in the office
Cobweb - a website that hasn't been updated for a long time
Egosurfing - looking yourself up on the internet
Mashup - two or more interesting elements from different websites combined into one.
Mouse potato - the pc equivalent of a couch potato
Open collar workers - those who work from home
Screenager - a teen who has grown up using screens
Uninstalled - being fired
Wiiware - software for the Ninetnedo Wii
Cobweb - a website that hasn't been updated for a long time
Egosurfing - looking yourself up on the internet
Mashup - two or more interesting elements from different websites combined into one.
Mouse potato - the pc equivalent of a couch potato
Open collar workers - those who work from home
Screenager - a teen who has grown up using screens
Uninstalled - being fired
Wiiware - software for the Ninetnedo Wii
Monday 14 April 2008
Gone With the Wind - the musical
Gone with the Wind is a classic tale that sweeps along on a grand scale, following the fortunes of spirited Southern belle Scarlett O’Hara through the turbulent times of the American civil war.
First published in 1936, the best-seller earned a Pulitzer prize for its author Margaret Mitchell and the 1939 film adaptation made box office history as the highest-grossing movie of all time. Now this epic story is storming onto the London stage as a musical.
American Jill Paice, who last appeared in the West End in Woman in White, plays Scarlett, while Darius Danesh takes on the role of the ruggedly handsome Rhett Butler.
At the start of the action, as a not-so-sweet seventeen-year-old, Scarlett spends a good deal of her time trying to snare Ashley Wilkes, her teenage crush blinding her to the fact that Rhett is clearly the only one man enough to tame her wild side.
Ten years on she finally realises her mistake, a bit late in the day: prompting Rhett’s now legendary response: “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!”
Her tough exterior melts for an instant but Scarlett is a survivor and hopefully proclaims:
“Tomorrow is another day!”
The musical version is now showing at the New London Theatre.
First published in 1936, the best-seller earned a Pulitzer prize for its author Margaret Mitchell and the 1939 film adaptation made box office history as the highest-grossing movie of all time. Now this epic story is storming onto the London stage as a musical.
American Jill Paice, who last appeared in the West End in Woman in White, plays Scarlett, while Darius Danesh takes on the role of the ruggedly handsome Rhett Butler.
At the start of the action, as a not-so-sweet seventeen-year-old, Scarlett spends a good deal of her time trying to snare Ashley Wilkes, her teenage crush blinding her to the fact that Rhett is clearly the only one man enough to tame her wild side.
Ten years on she finally realises her mistake, a bit late in the day: prompting Rhett’s now legendary response: “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!”
Her tough exterior melts for an instant but Scarlett is a survivor and hopefully proclaims:
“Tomorrow is another day!”
The musical version is now showing at the New London Theatre.
Friday 4 April 2008
Do you have a bad novel in you?
If you think you can write the opening sentence to the world's worst novel, here's a challenge for you:
The competition is inspired by the immortal prose of Edward George Earl Bulwer-Lytton whose novel Paul Clifford begins with the classic cliche: "It was a dark and stormy night..."
Here are some examples of previous entries:
Historical fiction:
Samson looked in the mirror and, when he saw what a fantastic haircut Delilah had given him, he went weak at the knees."
Dishonourable mention:
"Miles Otterman thought he could get away with carving his initials on the old oak tree in the town square - and he just might have, if Sheriff Mitchell hadn't recognised his MO".
www.bulwer-lytton.com
The competition is inspired by the immortal prose of Edward George Earl Bulwer-Lytton whose novel Paul Clifford begins with the classic cliche: "It was a dark and stormy night..."
Here are some examples of previous entries:
Historical fiction:
Samson looked in the mirror and, when he saw what a fantastic haircut Delilah had given him, he went weak at the knees."
Dishonourable mention:
"Miles Otterman thought he could get away with carving his initials on the old oak tree in the town square - and he just might have, if Sheriff Mitchell hadn't recognised his MO".
www.bulwer-lytton.com
Tuesday 1 April 2008
What's out there?
The Drake Equation is used to attempt to calculate the number of detectable civilisations in the galaxy - N
This is the equation: N = Rs x Fp x Ne x Fl x Fi x Fc x L
Only the first two figures in the equation are known -
Rs = the rate of star formation
Fp = the fraction of stars with planetary systems
The rest are unknown, so this is hardly an exact science - merely a best guess.
Further details on how to make an estimate can be found on the BBC's Horizon pages.
www.bbc.co.uk/horizon
This is the equation: N = Rs x Fp x Ne x Fl x Fi x Fc x L
Only the first two figures in the equation are known -
Rs = the rate of star formation
Fp = the fraction of stars with planetary systems
The rest are unknown, so this is hardly an exact science - merely a best guess.
Further details on how to make an estimate can be found on the BBC's Horizon pages.
www.bbc.co.uk/horizon
Saturday 15 March 2008
Quote of the week
My favourite quote of the week:
"Politics is showbusiness for ugly people".
(It's not a new quote, it's been attributed to Jay Leno and others, it's not clear where it originated, but it's the first time I've heard and I thought it seemed quite apt)
"Politics is showbusiness for ugly people".
(It's not a new quote, it's been attributed to Jay Leno and others, it's not clear where it originated, but it's the first time I've heard and I thought it seemed quite apt)
Friday 14 March 2008
Can Patrick Swayze survive his hex diagnosis?
When someone is told that they have a terminal illness, and only a few weeks or months left to live, this can be a "hex" diagnosis, bad news sending them into a downward spiral of despair, rather than boosting them with positive support or advice giving hope of a possible recovery.
Some media reports have given Patrick Swayze has only five weeks to live - although officially his doctors have denied they had provided this time scale as part of his diagnosis.
So where did this information come from? Was it the work of a journalist who had done some research on pancreatic cancer and made a guesstimate of the likely outcome? Whatever the source, it was hardly helpful.
Patrick has now been pictured looking gaunt, with a cigarette in his mouth - which doesn't bode well. Regardless of whether his smoking is connected with his cancer, it is not a healthy habit.
So here's a plea to Patrick: quit smoking if you can, eat a healthy diet and stay positive, don't give up on life while there is still hope.
Some media reports have given Patrick Swayze has only five weeks to live - although officially his doctors have denied they had provided this time scale as part of his diagnosis.
So where did this information come from? Was it the work of a journalist who had done some research on pancreatic cancer and made a guesstimate of the likely outcome? Whatever the source, it was hardly helpful.
Patrick has now been pictured looking gaunt, with a cigarette in his mouth - which doesn't bode well. Regardless of whether his smoking is connected with his cancer, it is not a healthy habit.
So here's a plea to Patrick: quit smoking if you can, eat a healthy diet and stay positive, don't give up on life while there is still hope.
Wednesday 12 March 2008
Goodbye Gary Gygax
Farewell to Gary Gygax, co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons
He failed his final saving throw... but his legacy lives on.
He failed his final saving throw... but his legacy lives on.
Tuesday 4 March 2008
Freakangels
Weekly online comic set in London in the near future.
Written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Paul Duffield.
(Billed as "adult content" since it contains strong language)
www.freakangels.com
Written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Paul Duffield.
(Billed as "adult content" since it contains strong language)
www.freakangels.com
Monday 3 March 2008
Friday 29 February 2008
Your Line or Mine?
Comedy improv can be a bit hit and miss - but luckily there are more hits than misses in Abandon Theatre's monthly comedy slot Your Line or Mine?
For an amusing hour's entertainment from a group of talented and likeable performers, head to the Landor pub theatre, Landor Road, Clapham North, on the last Sunday of every month at 8pm.
www.abandontheatre.co.uk
For an amusing hour's entertainment from a group of talented and likeable performers, head to the Landor pub theatre, Landor Road, Clapham North, on the last Sunday of every month at 8pm.
www.abandontheatre.co.uk
Harry soldiers on
Roses to: the British media for sticking to their side of the deal and not reporting Harry's stint on the front line until the official announcement.
Raspberries to: the US website which broke the news, without any concern for the troops in the firing line. (There was also a short report on an Australian website.)
Some people might argue that we have a right to know, but this was not a case of censorship, it was an embargo.
Raspberries to: the US website which broke the news, without any concern for the troops in the firing line. (There was also a short report on an Australian website.)
Some people might argue that we have a right to know, but this was not a case of censorship, it was an embargo.
Thursday 31 January 2008
Solar activity hots up
Scientists have announced the start of a new solar cycle.
The theory goes that solar activity waxes and wanes in 11-year cycles. Recently we've been at the end of a cycle, in a period with a comparative lack of solar activity. The start of a new cycle means that the frequency of solar storms and other activity is likely to increase, with the cycle expected to reach its peak around 2012.
For more on this see: http://knowledgenews.net
The theory goes that solar activity waxes and wanes in 11-year cycles. Recently we've been at the end of a cycle, in a period with a comparative lack of solar activity. The start of a new cycle means that the frequency of solar storms and other activity is likely to increase, with the cycle expected to reach its peak around 2012.
For more on this see: http://knowledgenews.net
Wednesday 30 January 2008
Review: Angels and Demons
The age-old debate of science versus religion looms large in Angels and Demons by Dan Brown.
On the religious side, there is the mysterious disappearance of four Cardinals who are front runners for the position of Pope, while on the science side, the fate of a volatile sample of anti-matter hangs in the balance.
This scenario serves as the backdrop for the debate about the driving forces for good and evil in the world.
Is pure science the best way for man to acquire knowledge and power and begin to understand the world around him? Or is science without God a recipe to dismiss faith and intuition and replace it with intellect and cold logic?
If a man believes in God, and accepts the existence of a superior, omniscient power in creating the universe, there is still the question of whether to accept that belief in the way it is practised and preached by religious bodies such as the Catholic Church.
This book is the first thriller to feature Harvard Professor Robert Langdon, and is a prequel to the Da Vinci Code. If the style of one book appeals, then you may enjoy the other.
It’s up to our reluctant hero to save the day – and if not quite the world, at least part of it, from destruction.
Italian scientist Vittoria Vetra joins forces with Langdon after her father, the eminent physicist Leonardo Vetra, is murdered.
Their attempts to decipher a series of ancient symbols lead them to various churches and monuments across Rome, culminating in the holy of holies – the Vatican.
The clues point to the evil handiwork of an occult sect known as the Illuminati (whose clandestine members also put in an appearance in the Da Vinci Code).
When a new pope is to be chosen, the four cardinals mysteriously disappear – only to turn up one by one, dispatched in various gory ways, bearing a symbol of the Illuminati branded into their flesh. Each represents one of the four elements.
The author maintains that all references to works of art, tombs, tunnels and architecture in Rome are factual – lending an authentic background to a story which contains all the usual ingredients of a thriller but does at times stretch credibility to the limits.
On the religious side, there is the mysterious disappearance of four Cardinals who are front runners for the position of Pope, while on the science side, the fate of a volatile sample of anti-matter hangs in the balance.
This scenario serves as the backdrop for the debate about the driving forces for good and evil in the world.
Is pure science the best way for man to acquire knowledge and power and begin to understand the world around him? Or is science without God a recipe to dismiss faith and intuition and replace it with intellect and cold logic?
If a man believes in God, and accepts the existence of a superior, omniscient power in creating the universe, there is still the question of whether to accept that belief in the way it is practised and preached by religious bodies such as the Catholic Church.
This book is the first thriller to feature Harvard Professor Robert Langdon, and is a prequel to the Da Vinci Code. If the style of one book appeals, then you may enjoy the other.
It’s up to our reluctant hero to save the day – and if not quite the world, at least part of it, from destruction.
Italian scientist Vittoria Vetra joins forces with Langdon after her father, the eminent physicist Leonardo Vetra, is murdered.
Their attempts to decipher a series of ancient symbols lead them to various churches and monuments across Rome, culminating in the holy of holies – the Vatican.
The clues point to the evil handiwork of an occult sect known as the Illuminati (whose clandestine members also put in an appearance in the Da Vinci Code).
When a new pope is to be chosen, the four cardinals mysteriously disappear – only to turn up one by one, dispatched in various gory ways, bearing a symbol of the Illuminati branded into their flesh. Each represents one of the four elements.
The author maintains that all references to works of art, tombs, tunnels and architecture in Rome are factual – lending an authentic background to a story which contains all the usual ingredients of a thriller but does at times stretch credibility to the limits.
Friday 25 January 2008
Worst title for a Bond movie to date?
Daniel Craig as 007 and Judi Dench as M are back in the next Bond, no 22, which is going to be called... Quantum of Solace.
Seriously? Come on guys, surely you can do better than that.
Suggestions, anyone?
Seriously? Come on guys, surely you can do better than that.
Suggestions, anyone?
Monday 21 January 2008
Backstage pass
What's on in 2008?
Check out
http://backstagepass.seatwaveblogs.com/2008/01/pimp_your_2008.php
Check out
http://backstagepass.seatwaveblogs.com/2008/01/pimp_your_2008.php
Wednesday 9 January 2008
Bunbury Banter on Hayes FM
Bunbury Banter radio plays
The latest series of short radio plays produced by Bunbury Banter Theatre Company.
streamed live on
www.hayesfm.org.ukTuesday 8 January 2008
Theatre buff
Entertainment news, views, previews and reviews of forthcoming shows:
http://theatrebuff.seatwaveblogs.com
http://theatrebuff.seatwaveblogs.com
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