Skylark, Word of the Day for Sunday, July 10, 2011, is another of those words whose original meaning has changed somewhat since the beginning. Technically, a Skylark is a brown-speckled European lark, (Alauda arvensis), famed for its melodious song, and for it’s flitting about in the sky. And it is from this latter habit, thanks to bored but playful sailors, that the more common meaning of skylark, as to frolic; or play around, is derived.
Yes. Skylark as a verb is nautical in origin, recorded from 1809, in reference to "wanton play about the rigging, and tops."
Apparently after some time at sea, the boredom set in and some of the sailors, to break the boredom, would play around aloft in the riggings and masts way up above, and to the people below, looked like Skylark birds, flitting around with just the sky behind them.
Well, that was then and Skylarking has come down to ground now, so to speak. And while sometimes a bit of skylarking can be fun and allow a bit of stream and pressure to be released, it often leads to serious accidents and incidents too. So by all means, have a little fun every now and then, but do be selective where and when, and also please be very careful that your fun doesn’t lead to a lifetime of misery and pain for others. Thank you.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Do you use tropes too?
They say you can learn something new every day! But they also say that there is nothing new under the sun either. I just discovered both truths in my recent discovery of ‘tropes’.
Now, like me, you probably have never heard of tropes before either, but also like me, you will probably also find that they are not new to you either; and in fact find that you probably use them all the time too! Yes, ‘tropes’ is just a trendy name for something that has always been around in our everyday speaking.
In truth, all a trope is, is:
(1) A figure of speech.
(2) A rhetorical device that produces a shift in the meanings of words--in contrast to a scheme, which changes only the shape of a phrase.
The word trope comes from the Greek word for, "a turn". And in fact has been around forever almost, and for the Roman rhetorician Quintilian (ca. 35AD), tropes were metaphors and metonyms, etc., and figures were such forms of discourse as rhetorical questions, digression, repetition, antithesis, and periphrasis (also referred to as schemes). He noted that the two kinds of usage were often confused (a state of affairs that has continued to this day)."
That said it, seems the word “Tropes” is having a comeback today as a trendy Buzzword
"The new word-that-must-be-used is 'trope,' meaning metaphor, example, literary device, picture--and maybe whatever else the writer wants it to mean.”
"The main meaning of 'trope' is 'figure of speech.' "But as I’ve noted before, the sense has been extended to something vaguer and less effective, like 'theme,' 'motif' or 'image.'
Now use of the word Trope may not be big in Australia, bit apparently it is a very popular buzzword in America at present, and I guess will also eventually find its way here too! In the meantime, what are some other new-/old Buzzwords making a comeback in your Circle?
Just for your amusement, if not enlightenment, below are a few examples of tropes in action (& their meanings): How many do you know or use?
Noun1.trope - language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
Figure of speech, image, figure
cakewalk - an easy accomplishment; "winning the tournament was a cakewalk for him"; "invading Iraq won't be a cakewalk"
blind alley - (figurative) a course of action that is unproductive and offers no hope of improvement; "all the clues led the police into blind alleys"; "so far every road that we've been down has turned out to be a blind alley"
megahit, smash hit, blockbuster - an unusually successful hit with widespread popularity and huge sales (especially a movie or play or recording or novel)
sleeper - an unexpected hit; "that movie was the sleeper of the summer"
home run, bell ringer, bull's eye, mark - something that exactly succeeds in achieving its goal; "the new advertising campaign was a bell ringer"; "scored a bull's eye"; "hit the mark"; "the president's speech was a home run"
housecleaning - (figurative) the act of reforming by the removal of unwanted personnel or practices or conditions; "more housecleaning is in store at other accounting firms"; "many employees were discharged in a general housecleaning by the new owners"
goldbrick - anything that is supposed to be valuable but turns out to be worthless
lens - (metaphor) a channel through which something can be seen or understood; "the writer is the lens through which history can be seen"
rhetorical device - a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)
conceit - an elaborate poetic image or a far-fetched comparison of very dissimilar things
irony - a trope that involves incongruity between what is expected and what occurs
exaggeration, hyperbole - extravagant exaggeration
kenning - conventional metaphoric name for something, used especially in Old English and Old Norse poetry
metaphor - a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
metonymy - substituting the name of an attribute or feature for the name of the thing itself (as in `they counted heads')
oxymoron - conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence')
prosopopoeia, personification - representing an abstract quality or idea as a person or creature
simile - a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with `like' or `as')
synecdoche - substituting a more inclusive term for a less inclusive one or vice versa
zeugma - use of a word to govern two or more words though appropriate to only one; "`Mr. Pickwick took his hat and his leave' is an example of zeugma"
domino effect - the consequence of one event setting off a chain of similar events (like a falling domino causing a whole row of upended dominos to fall)
flip side - a different aspect of something (especially the opposite aspect); "the flip side of your positive qualities sometimes get out of control"; "on the flip side of partnerships he talked about their competition"
period - the end or completion of something; "death put a period to his endeavors"; "a change soon put a period to my tranquility"
summer - the period of finest development, happiness, or beauty; "the golden summer of his life"
dawn - an opening time period; "it was the dawn of the Roman Empire"
evening - a later concluding time period; "it was the evening of the Roman Empire"
rainy day - a (future) time of financial need; "I am saving for a rainy day"
Now, like me, you probably have never heard of tropes before either, but also like me, you will probably also find that they are not new to you either; and in fact find that you probably use them all the time too! Yes, ‘tropes’ is just a trendy name for something that has always been around in our everyday speaking.
In truth, all a trope is, is:
(1) A figure of speech.
(2) A rhetorical device that produces a shift in the meanings of words--in contrast to a scheme, which changes only the shape of a phrase.
The word trope comes from the Greek word for, "a turn". And in fact has been around forever almost, and for the Roman rhetorician Quintilian (ca. 35AD), tropes were metaphors and metonyms, etc., and figures were such forms of discourse as rhetorical questions, digression, repetition, antithesis, and periphrasis (also referred to as schemes). He noted that the two kinds of usage were often confused (a state of affairs that has continued to this day)."
That said it, seems the word “Tropes” is having a comeback today as a trendy Buzzword
"The new word-that-must-be-used is 'trope,' meaning metaphor, example, literary device, picture--and maybe whatever else the writer wants it to mean.”
"The main meaning of 'trope' is 'figure of speech.' "But as I’ve noted before, the sense has been extended to something vaguer and less effective, like 'theme,' 'motif' or 'image.'
Now use of the word Trope may not be big in Australia, bit apparently it is a very popular buzzword in America at present, and I guess will also eventually find its way here too! In the meantime, what are some other new-/old Buzzwords making a comeback in your Circle?
Just for your amusement, if not enlightenment, below are a few examples of tropes in action (& their meanings): How many do you know or use?
Noun1.trope - language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
Figure of speech, image, figure
cakewalk - an easy accomplishment; "winning the tournament was a cakewalk for him"; "invading Iraq won't be a cakewalk"
blind alley - (figurative) a course of action that is unproductive and offers no hope of improvement; "all the clues led the police into blind alleys"; "so far every road that we've been down has turned out to be a blind alley"
megahit, smash hit, blockbuster - an unusually successful hit with widespread popularity and huge sales (especially a movie or play or recording or novel)
sleeper - an unexpected hit; "that movie was the sleeper of the summer"
home run, bell ringer, bull's eye, mark - something that exactly succeeds in achieving its goal; "the new advertising campaign was a bell ringer"; "scored a bull's eye"; "hit the mark"; "the president's speech was a home run"
housecleaning - (figurative) the act of reforming by the removal of unwanted personnel or practices or conditions; "more housecleaning is in store at other accounting firms"; "many employees were discharged in a general housecleaning by the new owners"
goldbrick - anything that is supposed to be valuable but turns out to be worthless
lens - (metaphor) a channel through which something can be seen or understood; "the writer is the lens through which history can be seen"
rhetorical device - a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)
conceit - an elaborate poetic image or a far-fetched comparison of very dissimilar things
irony - a trope that involves incongruity between what is expected and what occurs
exaggeration, hyperbole - extravagant exaggeration
kenning - conventional metaphoric name for something, used especially in Old English and Old Norse poetry
metaphor - a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
metonymy - substituting the name of an attribute or feature for the name of the thing itself (as in `they counted heads')
oxymoron - conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence')
prosopopoeia, personification - representing an abstract quality or idea as a person or creature
simile - a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with `like' or `as')
synecdoche - substituting a more inclusive term for a less inclusive one or vice versa
zeugma - use of a word to govern two or more words though appropriate to only one; "`Mr. Pickwick took his hat and his leave' is an example of zeugma"
domino effect - the consequence of one event setting off a chain of similar events (like a falling domino causing a whole row of upended dominos to fall)
flip side - a different aspect of something (especially the opposite aspect); "the flip side of your positive qualities sometimes get out of control"; "on the flip side of partnerships he talked about their competition"
period - the end or completion of something; "death put a period to his endeavors"; "a change soon put a period to my tranquility"
summer - the period of finest development, happiness, or beauty; "the golden summer of his life"
dawn - an opening time period; "it was the dawn of the Roman Empire"
evening - a later concluding time period; "it was the evening of the Roman Empire"
rainy day - a (future) time of financial need; "I am saving for a rainy day"
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Do you Stonewall or just Filibuster?
Stonewall, which is the Word of the Day for Wednesday, July 6, 2011 is an interesting word! For although its meaning is derived from what a stone wall does, it is not a literal stone wall itself!
No, while a stone wall literally blocks or obstructs someone’s passage physically, to stonewall means to metaphorically but also practically, block or stymie someone’s progress as the following 3 definitions show:
1. To block, stall, or resist intentionally.
2. In cricket, to play a defensive game, as by persistently blocking the ball instead of batting it for distance and runs.
3. To filibuster.
Now to those unfamiliar with this American word of filibuster, it means roughly the same thing as stonewall but in a more specific way. Such as:
a. The use of irregular or obstructive tactics by a member of a legislative assembly to prevent the adoption of a measure generally favoured or to force a decision against the will of the majority.
b. An exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose. “
So you see, both words, Stonewall and Filibuster, mean the exact same thing.
And as we often see in life itself, both words and their usage, can either be good or bad, depending on when, how and why you use them.
In cricket and politics (and many other things), it can help your side to win. But in politics in particular, just because your side wins, doesn’t mean it is right or in the best interests of all others either. So by all means Stonewall and filibuster where and when necessary, but do make sure before you start, that it really is necessary and in the best interests of all concerned, and not just in the best interest of your own little group! What say you?
No, while a stone wall literally blocks or obstructs someone’s passage physically, to stonewall means to metaphorically but also practically, block or stymie someone’s progress as the following 3 definitions show:
1. To block, stall, or resist intentionally.
2. In cricket, to play a defensive game, as by persistently blocking the ball instead of batting it for distance and runs.
3. To filibuster.
Now to those unfamiliar with this American word of filibuster, it means roughly the same thing as stonewall but in a more specific way. Such as:
a. The use of irregular or obstructive tactics by a member of a legislative assembly to prevent the adoption of a measure generally favoured or to force a decision against the will of the majority.
b. An exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose. “
So you see, both words, Stonewall and Filibuster, mean the exact same thing.
And as we often see in life itself, both words and their usage, can either be good or bad, depending on when, how and why you use them.
In cricket and politics (and many other things), it can help your side to win. But in politics in particular, just because your side wins, doesn’t mean it is right or in the best interests of all others either. So by all means Stonewall and filibuster where and when necessary, but do make sure before you start, that it really is necessary and in the best interests of all concerned, and not just in the best interest of your own little group! What say you?
Do you Stonewall or just Filibuster?
Stonewall, which is the Word of the Day for Wednesday, July 6, 2011 is an interesting word! For although its meaning is derived from what a stone wall does, it is not a literal stone wall itself!
No, while a stone wall literally blocks or obstructs someone’s passage physically, to stonewall means to metaphorically but also practically, block or stymie someone’s progress as the following 3 definitions show:
1. To block, stall, or resist intentionally.
2. In cricket, to play a defensive game, as by persistently blocking the ball instead of batting it for distance and runs.
3. To filibuster.
Now to those unfamiliar with this American word of filibuster, it means roughly the same thing as stonewall but in a more specific way. Such as:
a. The use of irregular or obstructive tactics by a member of a legislative assembly to prevent the adoption of a measure generally favoured or to force a decision against the will of the majority.
b. An exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose. “
So you see, both words, Stonewall and Filibuster, mean the exact same thing.
And as we often see in life itself, both words and their usage, can either be good or bad, depending on when, how and why you use them.
In cricket and politics (and many other things), it can help your side to win. But in politics in particular, just because your side wins, doesn’t mean it is right or in the best interests of all others either. So by all means Stonewall and filibuster where and when necessary, but do make sure before you start, that it really is necessary and in the best interests of all concerned, and not just in the best interest of your own little group! What say you?
No, while a stone wall literally blocks or obstructs someone’s passage physically, to stonewall means to metaphorically but also practically, block or stymie someone’s progress as the following 3 definitions show:
1. To block, stall, or resist intentionally.
2. In cricket, to play a defensive game, as by persistently blocking the ball instead of batting it for distance and runs.
3. To filibuster.
Now to those unfamiliar with this American word of filibuster, it means roughly the same thing as stonewall but in a more specific way. Such as:
a. The use of irregular or obstructive tactics by a member of a legislative assembly to prevent the adoption of a measure generally favoured or to force a decision against the will of the majority.
b. An exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose. “
So you see, both words, Stonewall and Filibuster, mean the exact same thing.
And as we often see in life itself, both words and their usage, can either be good or bad, depending on when, how and why you use them.
In cricket and politics (and many other things), it can help your side to win. But in politics in particular, just because your side wins, doesn’t mean it is right or in the best interests of all others either. So by all means Stonewall and filibuster where and when necessary, but do make sure before you start, that it really is necessary and in the best interests of all concerned, and not just in the best interest of your own little group! What say you?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Zip lining anyone?
Zip lining seems to be all the rage now, but it is also not something new but rather, something old given a new name and turned into something trendy for the young travellers.
So while Zip lining is now the trendy way to view rain forest canopies; and to cover rugged or steep terrain easily, it is nothing new: but simply the old Flying Fox updated and remarketed again.
Yes, according to Wikipedia, “A zip-line (also known as a flying fox, foefie slide, zip wire, aerial runway, aerial ropeslide, death slide or tyrolean crossing)consists of a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an incline. It is designed to enable a user propelled by gravity to travel from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable, usually made of stainless steel, by holding on or attaching to the freely moving pulley. Zip-lines come in many forms, most often used as a means of entertainment. They may be short and low, intended for child's play and found on some playgrounds. Longer and higher rides are often used as a means of accessing remote areas, such as a rainforest canopy. Zip-line tours are becoming popular vacation activities, found at outdoor adventure camps or upscale resorts, where they may be an element on a larger challenge or ropes course.”
All this just once again reinforces the old Biblical saying that there is nothing new under the sun! No nothing new in itself, just something old given a new name and a new image and remarketed onto an unsuspecting public, as the next new best thing ever!
What are some other new old things that you know of, making a comeback now?
So while Zip lining is now the trendy way to view rain forest canopies; and to cover rugged or steep terrain easily, it is nothing new: but simply the old Flying Fox updated and remarketed again.
Yes, according to Wikipedia, “A zip-line (also known as a flying fox, foefie slide, zip wire, aerial runway, aerial ropeslide, death slide or tyrolean crossing)consists of a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an incline. It is designed to enable a user propelled by gravity to travel from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable, usually made of stainless steel, by holding on or attaching to the freely moving pulley. Zip-lines come in many forms, most often used as a means of entertainment. They may be short and low, intended for child's play and found on some playgrounds. Longer and higher rides are often used as a means of accessing remote areas, such as a rainforest canopy. Zip-line tours are becoming popular vacation activities, found at outdoor adventure camps or upscale resorts, where they may be an element on a larger challenge or ropes course.”
All this just once again reinforces the old Biblical saying that there is nothing new under the sun! No nothing new in itself, just something old given a new name and a new image and remarketed onto an unsuspecting public, as the next new best thing ever!
What are some other new old things that you know of, making a comeback now?
Monday, July 25, 2011
Are you SAD again?
According to the Melbourne Herald Sun Newspaper on June 24 2011, now that winter is upon us again here, that “for some, the cooler, darker months can bring debilitating depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). About one in 300 Australians suffer from it, as opposed to the more common “winter blues”. “SAD is a recurrent depression where people experience at least a couple of full blown clinical episodes of depression, which is very different to feeling a bit down and flat in Winter” according to one expert on the subject. “SAD symptoms include sleeping more, feeling lethargic, withdrawing socially, and an increased appetite, particularly cravings for carbohydrate-rich comfort foods, which can lead to weight gain’ “It’s believed a lack of exposure to light is to blame.”
So along with getting extra light, they also recommend keeping up exercising and socialising.
In other words getting out into the world and doing something and not being locked up in a darkened room in front of the Telly with a bowl of Chips at Hand! Now I don’t want to make light of those who really suffer from Depression, but it seems to this untrained eye, that a lot of these cases of Sad COULD NOT ONLYBE TREATED BY COMMON SENCE BUT ALSO AVOIDED COMPLETELY BY THE SAME COMMON SENCE!
Well that’s enough from me for now. I’m going to take my own advice and get out into our temporary sunshine and get some exercise in the Garden. If that doesn’t work, I can always take the dogs for a walk. Or walk to the shops. Whoa, getting tired just thinking about the opportunities I have for getting out into the light and exercising! So this time, it really is bye for now from me!
So along with getting extra light, they also recommend keeping up exercising and socialising.
In other words getting out into the world and doing something and not being locked up in a darkened room in front of the Telly with a bowl of Chips at Hand! Now I don’t want to make light of those who really suffer from Depression, but it seems to this untrained eye, that a lot of these cases of Sad COULD NOT ONLYBE TREATED BY COMMON SENCE BUT ALSO AVOIDED COMPLETELY BY THE SAME COMMON SENCE!
Well that’s enough from me for now. I’m going to take my own advice and get out into our temporary sunshine and get some exercise in the Garden. If that doesn’t work, I can always take the dogs for a walk. Or walk to the shops. Whoa, getting tired just thinking about the opportunities I have for getting out into the light and exercising! So this time, it really is bye for now from me!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Coati in Melbourne again.
No I didn’t say it was coat time in Melbourne again, although that said, it is very true of our weather right now. That also said, these Coati, do come complete with fur coats though! Yes, I am talking about furry animals here.
According to the Melbourne Herald Sun Newspaper on July 15th 2011, Melbourne Zoo now has some Coatis again. Although I can’t ever remember hearing of them before, the last Melbourne one died last year and now, thanks to some Danish and German imports, we now have 5 of these South American carnivore, Raccoon type critters again. And also the only Coatis in Australia too.
According to Wikipedia, “Adult coatis measure 33 to 69 cm (13 to 27 in) from head to the base of the tail, which can be as long as their bodies. Coatis are about 30 cm (12 in) tall at the shoulder, and weigh between 2 and 8 kg (4.4 and 18 lb), about the size of a large house cat. Males can become almost twice as large as females and have large, sharp canine teeth. The above measurements are for the white-nosed and South America coatis. The Cozumel Island coati is in the lower range of these measurements, and the two mountain coatis are smaller.[4]
All coatis share a slender head with an elongated, flexible, slightly upward-turned nose, small ears, dark feet, and a long, non-prehensile tail used for balance and signaling.
Ring-tailed coatis have either a light brown or black coat, with a lighter under-part and a white-ringed tail in most cases. Coatis have a long brown tail with rings on it which are anywhere from starkly defined like a raccoon's to very faint. Like raccoons and unlike ring-tailed cats and cacomistles, the rings go completely around the tail. Coatis often hold the tail erect, and it used as such to keep troops of coatis together in tall vegetation. The tip of the tail can be moved a bit on its own, as is the case with cats, but it is not prehensile as is that of the kinkajou, another procyonid.
Coatis have bear- and raccoon-like paws, and coatis, raccoons, and bears walk plantigrade (on the soles of the feet, as do humans). Coatis have nonretractable claws. Coatis also are, in common with raccoons and other procyonids (and others in the order Carnivora and rare cases amongst other mammals), double-jointed and their ankles can rotate beyond 180°; they are therefore able to descend trees head first. Other animals living in forests have acquired some or all of these properties through convergent evolution, including members of the mongoose, civet, ferret-skunk, cat, and bear families. Some of these animals walk on the toes of the front paws and soles of the back paws.
The coati snout is long and somewhat pig-like (see Suidae) and extremely flexible and can be rotated up to 60° in any direction, the former being part of the reason for its nickname the hog-nosed raccoon. The nose is used to push objects and rub parts of their body. The facial markings include white markings around the eyes and on the ears and snout.
Coatis have strong limbs to climb and dig, and have a reputation for intelligence, like their fellow procyonid, the raccoon. the rainforest canopy, in crudely-built sleeping nests. Coatis are active day and night.
They prefer to sleep or rest in elevated places and niches, like the rainforest canopy, in crudely-built sleeping nests. Coatis are active day and night.”
Well the above may not be enough to make you want to come to Melbourne immediately, but if you find yourself in the vicinity, it might be worth your trouble to check out these unusual, if not totally rare animals. I know I will next time I go to the Melbourne Zoo. What about you?
According to the Melbourne Herald Sun Newspaper on July 15th 2011, Melbourne Zoo now has some Coatis again. Although I can’t ever remember hearing of them before, the last Melbourne one died last year and now, thanks to some Danish and German imports, we now have 5 of these South American carnivore, Raccoon type critters again. And also the only Coatis in Australia too.
According to Wikipedia, “Adult coatis measure 33 to 69 cm (13 to 27 in) from head to the base of the tail, which can be as long as their bodies. Coatis are about 30 cm (12 in) tall at the shoulder, and weigh between 2 and 8 kg (4.4 and 18 lb), about the size of a large house cat. Males can become almost twice as large as females and have large, sharp canine teeth. The above measurements are for the white-nosed and South America coatis. The Cozumel Island coati is in the lower range of these measurements, and the two mountain coatis are smaller.[4]
All coatis share a slender head with an elongated, flexible, slightly upward-turned nose, small ears, dark feet, and a long, non-prehensile tail used for balance and signaling.
Ring-tailed coatis have either a light brown or black coat, with a lighter under-part and a white-ringed tail in most cases. Coatis have a long brown tail with rings on it which are anywhere from starkly defined like a raccoon's to very faint. Like raccoons and unlike ring-tailed cats and cacomistles, the rings go completely around the tail. Coatis often hold the tail erect, and it used as such to keep troops of coatis together in tall vegetation. The tip of the tail can be moved a bit on its own, as is the case with cats, but it is not prehensile as is that of the kinkajou, another procyonid.
Coatis have bear- and raccoon-like paws, and coatis, raccoons, and bears walk plantigrade (on the soles of the feet, as do humans). Coatis have nonretractable claws. Coatis also are, in common with raccoons and other procyonids (and others in the order Carnivora and rare cases amongst other mammals), double-jointed and their ankles can rotate beyond 180°; they are therefore able to descend trees head first. Other animals living in forests have acquired some or all of these properties through convergent evolution, including members of the mongoose, civet, ferret-skunk, cat, and bear families. Some of these animals walk on the toes of the front paws and soles of the back paws.
The coati snout is long and somewhat pig-like (see Suidae) and extremely flexible and can be rotated up to 60° in any direction, the former being part of the reason for its nickname the hog-nosed raccoon. The nose is used to push objects and rub parts of their body. The facial markings include white markings around the eyes and on the ears and snout.
Coatis have strong limbs to climb and dig, and have a reputation for intelligence, like their fellow procyonid, the raccoon. the rainforest canopy, in crudely-built sleeping nests. Coatis are active day and night.
They prefer to sleep or rest in elevated places and niches, like the rainforest canopy, in crudely-built sleeping nests. Coatis are active day and night.”
Well the above may not be enough to make you want to come to Melbourne immediately, but if you find yourself in the vicinity, it might be worth your trouble to check out these unusual, if not totally rare animals. I know I will next time I go to the Melbourne Zoo. What about you?
Friday, July 22, 2011
Ball-peen, Ball-pein or Ball-pane Hammer?
Now I am one of the first to admit that my spelling is atrocious, and I think that Spell Checker is the greatest invention ever. Even if it does spell American and not proper English!
Anyway, the other day I wrote a blog (Over the top with the sledgehammer I think.) in which I mentioned a Ballpeen Hammer. Which the spell check rejected. So I looked up the online dictionary to find out its proper Spelling; only to discover that there actually was no one way of spelling it.
And then on Wikipedia, I discovered this: “A ball-peen (also spelled pein and pane) hammer, also known as a blacksmith's, engineer's or machinist's hammer, is a type of peening hammer used in metalworking. It is distinguished from a point-peen hammer or chisel-peen hammer by having a hemispherical head. Though the process of peening has become rarer in metal fabrication, the ball-peen hammer remains useful for many tasks, such as striking punches and chisels.”
So not only is a ball-peen Hammer a mighty handy tool, but it also has many names and spellings of names too. Yet despite all that, I still managed to Spell it wrong. Told you my spelling was atrocious! (Which funnily enough, I can spell without help!) How’s your spelling?
Anyway, the other day I wrote a blog (Over the top with the sledgehammer I think.) in which I mentioned a Ballpeen Hammer. Which the spell check rejected. So I looked up the online dictionary to find out its proper Spelling; only to discover that there actually was no one way of spelling it.
And then on Wikipedia, I discovered this: “A ball-peen (also spelled pein and pane) hammer, also known as a blacksmith's, engineer's or machinist's hammer, is a type of peening hammer used in metalworking. It is distinguished from a point-peen hammer or chisel-peen hammer by having a hemispherical head. Though the process of peening has become rarer in metal fabrication, the ball-peen hammer remains useful for many tasks, such as striking punches and chisels.”
So not only is a ball-peen Hammer a mighty handy tool, but it also has many names and spellings of names too. Yet despite all that, I still managed to Spell it wrong. Told you my spelling was atrocious! (Which funnily enough, I can spell without help!) How’s your spelling?
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Over the top with the sledgehammer I think.
Recently posted a blog (How heavy is my sledgehammer?) about a 12 pound sledge hammer that I had bought previously, only to find later that it was a little heavier than I would have preferred. In response to that blog, I received this reply from a former South African friend now living in Scotland:
“This brought back another thought. In 1969, I worked with a lady, whose husband had been in a serious car accident, and due to this, she always carried in her car a 10 Pound Sledge hammer, when I enquired what was the reason, she replied "for anyone who hits me this will be my response"”
To which I replied: “Thanks for that. When in S A ourselves and after I had my car stolen, it was concluded that I could get a better choice, deal and quality replacement car, up in Johannesburg, where we already had a contact. Unfortunately Jo-burg was some 900 kms away from us and me with no car and no reliable/safe Public transport to get there however. Fortunately, I found a safe ride up there with someone going beyond Jo-burg. Not so fortunately, I had to wait a little while on the side of a busy road for our friend up there, to pick me up, a thought which I wasn't totally happy with. Fortunately it was winter and I had a big Overcoat that I was able to comfortably carry, yet keep concealed, a 10 oz. Ballpeen Hammer. Which I then later always carried in the car for the rest of our years in South Africa, handy in case I ever needed it for Totsies (local word for thieves & larrikins! ) Fortunately, I never did.
Now, I think a 10 ounce hammer, carried for self-defence is one thing! But a 10 pound sledge hammer carried for retaliation for car accidents, is way, way over the top, I think! Don’t you?
What are some unusual, if not downright strange things that have you heard of being carried for self-defence?
“This brought back another thought. In 1969, I worked with a lady, whose husband had been in a serious car accident, and due to this, she always carried in her car a 10 Pound Sledge hammer, when I enquired what was the reason, she replied "for anyone who hits me this will be my response"”
To which I replied: “Thanks for that. When in S A ourselves and after I had my car stolen, it was concluded that I could get a better choice, deal and quality replacement car, up in Johannesburg, where we already had a contact. Unfortunately Jo-burg was some 900 kms away from us and me with no car and no reliable/safe Public transport to get there however. Fortunately, I found a safe ride up there with someone going beyond Jo-burg. Not so fortunately, I had to wait a little while on the side of a busy road for our friend up there, to pick me up, a thought which I wasn't totally happy with. Fortunately it was winter and I had a big Overcoat that I was able to comfortably carry, yet keep concealed, a 10 oz. Ballpeen Hammer. Which I then later always carried in the car for the rest of our years in South Africa, handy in case I ever needed it for Totsies (local word for thieves & larrikins! ) Fortunately, I never did.
Now, I think a 10 ounce hammer, carried for self-defence is one thing! But a 10 pound sledge hammer carried for retaliation for car accidents, is way, way over the top, I think! Don’t you?
What are some unusual, if not downright strange things that have you heard of being carried for self-defence?
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Civet Coffee anyone?
In a recent Blog “Junket, Rennet and You”. I briefly mentioned coffee made from Coffee beans that have passed literally through the digestive system of Civets, and is greatly prized for its flavour.
According to Wikipedia, “Kopi luwak (Malay pronunciation: [ˈkopi ˈlu.aʔ]), or civet coffee, is one of the world's most expensive and low-production varieties of coffee. It is made from the beans of coffee berries which have been eaten by the Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and other related civets, then passed through its digestive tract.[1] A civet eats the berries for their fleshy pulp. In its stomach, proteolytic enzymes seep into the beans, making shorter peptides and more free amino acids. Passing through a civet's intestines the beans are then defecated, keeping their shape. After gathering, thorough washing, sun drying, light roasting and brewing, these beans yield an aromatic coffee with much less bitterness, widely noted as the most expensive coffee in the world.
Kopi luwak is produced mainly on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali and Sulawesi in the Indonesian Archipelago, and also in the Philippines (where the product is called motit coffee in the Cordillera and kape alamid in Tagalog areas) and also in East Timor
Its history of discovery is also very interesting.”
Again according to Wikipedia, “The origin of Kopi Luwak is closely connected with the history of Coffee production in Indonesia. In early 18th century The Dutch established the cash-crop plantations in their colony in Dutch East Indies islands of Java and Sumatra, including Arabica coffee introduced from Yemen. During the era of Cultuurstelsel (1830—1870), the Dutch prohibited the native farmers and plantation workers to pick coffee fruits for their own use. Yet the native farmers desired to have a taste of the famed coffee beverage. Soon the natives learned that certain species of musang or luwak (Asian Palm Civet) consumed these coffee fruits, yet they left the coffee seeds undigested in their droppings. The natives collect these Luwak's dropping coffee seeds; clean, roast and grind it to make coffee beverage.[2] The fame of aromatic civet coffee spread from locals to Dutch plantation owners and soon become their favorites, yet because of its rarity and unusual process, the civet coffee was expensive even in colonial times.”
Well now you know about Civit coffee, how would you like to try it? If you do, I know of one place in Australia where you can! (There are probably more, but I do know where this one is.)
In a rural café on the Hills outside of Townsville, there is a café there that boasts that it sells Civit coffee. No I haven’t tried it! I would, just to be able to say I have, but at $50 a cup, I decided I can do without that boasting point! (After all the name is Willy not silly!) Actually it is neither but it does start with a “W”!) What about you and Ciet Coffee? Would you pay $50* for a cup of Coffee? Really?
*That was last year’s price probably dearer now!
According to Wikipedia, “Kopi luwak (Malay pronunciation: [ˈkopi ˈlu.aʔ]), or civet coffee, is one of the world's most expensive and low-production varieties of coffee. It is made from the beans of coffee berries which have been eaten by the Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and other related civets, then passed through its digestive tract.[1] A civet eats the berries for their fleshy pulp. In its stomach, proteolytic enzymes seep into the beans, making shorter peptides and more free amino acids. Passing through a civet's intestines the beans are then defecated, keeping their shape. After gathering, thorough washing, sun drying, light roasting and brewing, these beans yield an aromatic coffee with much less bitterness, widely noted as the most expensive coffee in the world.
Kopi luwak is produced mainly on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali and Sulawesi in the Indonesian Archipelago, and also in the Philippines (where the product is called motit coffee in the Cordillera and kape alamid in Tagalog areas) and also in East Timor
Its history of discovery is also very interesting.”
Again according to Wikipedia, “The origin of Kopi Luwak is closely connected with the history of Coffee production in Indonesia. In early 18th century The Dutch established the cash-crop plantations in their colony in Dutch East Indies islands of Java and Sumatra, including Arabica coffee introduced from Yemen. During the era of Cultuurstelsel (1830—1870), the Dutch prohibited the native farmers and plantation workers to pick coffee fruits for their own use. Yet the native farmers desired to have a taste of the famed coffee beverage. Soon the natives learned that certain species of musang or luwak (Asian Palm Civet) consumed these coffee fruits, yet they left the coffee seeds undigested in their droppings. The natives collect these Luwak's dropping coffee seeds; clean, roast and grind it to make coffee beverage.[2] The fame of aromatic civet coffee spread from locals to Dutch plantation owners and soon become their favorites, yet because of its rarity and unusual process, the civet coffee was expensive even in colonial times.”
Well now you know about Civit coffee, how would you like to try it? If you do, I know of one place in Australia where you can! (There are probably more, but I do know where this one is.)
In a rural café on the Hills outside of Townsville, there is a café there that boasts that it sells Civit coffee. No I haven’t tried it! I would, just to be able to say I have, but at $50 a cup, I decided I can do without that boasting point! (After all the name is Willy not silly!) Actually it is neither but it does start with a “W”!) What about you and Ciet Coffee? Would you pay $50* for a cup of Coffee? Really?
*That was last year’s price probably dearer now!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Junket, Rennet and You.
In a recent blog, I asked, “What does Junket mean to you? To which my younger but not youngest sister replied with: “Yummy! Junket with hundred and thousands!
Crushing the junket tablets, adding sugar? hot water and stirring until all the tablets were dissolved. Tasting it while unset and releasing the pleasant aroma and then adding the fresh warm milk and stiring then patiently or not so patiently waiting until it was set. Slicing it with a saucer to serve it into the bowl, to avoid breaking it up too much as it sometimes separates in to curds and whey.
Then adding the 100's & 1000's and eating the yummy slipper pudding before the colours of the 100's & 1000's made it a brown mess. on top.
First there was vanilla and later flavoured tablets from the Mr Rawley's man.
I wonder if junket tablets are still around? I know the company is still around! I Know I have probaly spelt the name of the company wrong but you will know who I mean!”
Well, I think she means “Rawleighs”, but not too sure of the spelling myself! But anyway, I do agree with her that it was yummy, but I wonder if she would still think so when she finds out what the Junket tablets were made of!
Junket tablets are in fact technically Rennet tablets, and rennet is a product used not just for Junket, but more widely in Cheese making.
And according to Google, “Rennet is an extract from the fourth stomach of young ruminants, such as cows, goats, and sheep. This extract contains a number of enzymes which are designed to help these animals digest their mother's milk, and when added to milk, rennet will cause the milk to coagulate, forming the curds and whey which are so essential in the cheesemaking process. Humans have been working with rennet for thousands of years, and it is typically readily available in stores which carry cheesemaking supplies; it can also be made at home, if you happen to have access to the necessary ingredients. For vegetarians and kosher Jews, non-animal alternatives to rennet are available.
There is a great deal of mythology surrounding the history of cheesemaking, because humans have been making cheese for a very long time, and the steps involved are actually fairly complicated. The stomachs of ruminants have historically been used to make bags and sacks, and food historians theorize that someone must have stored milk in one a bit too long, allowing it to curdle, and someone thought of turning the curdled milk into a food product. Modern rennet is created through an extraction process which yields neat, dry tablets or a liquid which is very easy to work with.
Traditional rennet was made by washing the stomach of a young ruminant after it has been slaughtered, and then salting it. The salted stomach is kept in dried form, with cooks snipping off small pieces and soaking them in water when they have a need for rennet. Some cheesemakers continue to make and use rennet in this way; the vast majority use commercially processed rennet, which is made by creating a slurry and then subjecting it to a compound which will cause the enzymes to precipitate out.
The main enzyme in rennet is rennin, although there are a few other enzymes as well, and the precise content depends on the animal the rennet comes from; sheep rennet, for example, is different from cow rennet. When added to milk, the enzyme causes the milk to coagulate, essentially starting the digestion process. Once curds have formed, cheesemakers can cut the curds, drain them, and pack them into molds to make cheese.
Several plants produce natural rennet compounds, as do some microbes, and these non-animal sources of rennet can be found for sale in stores which cater to vegetarians, and in shops which produce kosher dairy products. If you are a vegetarian, you may want to be aware that cheesemakers are not required to disclose the source of their rennet, so unless a cheese is specifically labeled as vegetarian, it may contain rennet. Under Jewish dietary laws, milk and meat cannot be mixed together, so cheese which is certified as kosher or pareve will not contain rennet. It is also possible to find cheeses which have been coagulated with acids like lemon juice; paneer is one such cheese.”
Just thinking of this interesting information as to the origins of rennet, made me wonder what other wonderful foods we have that are made out to things not quite as wonderful to the ear? I know that there is coffee made from Coffee beans that have passed literally through the digestive system of Civets, and is greatly prized for its flavour. Well over to you now for more suggestions please?
Crushing the junket tablets, adding sugar? hot water and stirring until all the tablets were dissolved. Tasting it while unset and releasing the pleasant aroma and then adding the fresh warm milk and stiring then patiently or not so patiently waiting until it was set. Slicing it with a saucer to serve it into the bowl, to avoid breaking it up too much as it sometimes separates in to curds and whey.
Then adding the 100's & 1000's and eating the yummy slipper pudding before the colours of the 100's & 1000's made it a brown mess. on top.
First there was vanilla and later flavoured tablets from the Mr Rawley's man.
I wonder if junket tablets are still around? I know the company is still around! I Know I have probaly spelt the name of the company wrong but you will know who I mean!”
Well, I think she means “Rawleighs”, but not too sure of the spelling myself! But anyway, I do agree with her that it was yummy, but I wonder if she would still think so when she finds out what the Junket tablets were made of!
Junket tablets are in fact technically Rennet tablets, and rennet is a product used not just for Junket, but more widely in Cheese making.
And according to Google, “Rennet is an extract from the fourth stomach of young ruminants, such as cows, goats, and sheep. This extract contains a number of enzymes which are designed to help these animals digest their mother's milk, and when added to milk, rennet will cause the milk to coagulate, forming the curds and whey which are so essential in the cheesemaking process. Humans have been working with rennet for thousands of years, and it is typically readily available in stores which carry cheesemaking supplies; it can also be made at home, if you happen to have access to the necessary ingredients. For vegetarians and kosher Jews, non-animal alternatives to rennet are available.
There is a great deal of mythology surrounding the history of cheesemaking, because humans have been making cheese for a very long time, and the steps involved are actually fairly complicated. The stomachs of ruminants have historically been used to make bags and sacks, and food historians theorize that someone must have stored milk in one a bit too long, allowing it to curdle, and someone thought of turning the curdled milk into a food product. Modern rennet is created through an extraction process which yields neat, dry tablets or a liquid which is very easy to work with.
Traditional rennet was made by washing the stomach of a young ruminant after it has been slaughtered, and then salting it. The salted stomach is kept in dried form, with cooks snipping off small pieces and soaking them in water when they have a need for rennet. Some cheesemakers continue to make and use rennet in this way; the vast majority use commercially processed rennet, which is made by creating a slurry and then subjecting it to a compound which will cause the enzymes to precipitate out.
The main enzyme in rennet is rennin, although there are a few other enzymes as well, and the precise content depends on the animal the rennet comes from; sheep rennet, for example, is different from cow rennet. When added to milk, the enzyme causes the milk to coagulate, essentially starting the digestion process. Once curds have formed, cheesemakers can cut the curds, drain them, and pack them into molds to make cheese.
Several plants produce natural rennet compounds, as do some microbes, and these non-animal sources of rennet can be found for sale in stores which cater to vegetarians, and in shops which produce kosher dairy products. If you are a vegetarian, you may want to be aware that cheesemakers are not required to disclose the source of their rennet, so unless a cheese is specifically labeled as vegetarian, it may contain rennet. Under Jewish dietary laws, milk and meat cannot be mixed together, so cheese which is certified as kosher or pareve will not contain rennet. It is also possible to find cheeses which have been coagulated with acids like lemon juice; paneer is one such cheese.”
Just thinking of this interesting information as to the origins of rennet, made me wonder what other wonderful foods we have that are made out to things not quite as wonderful to the ear? I know that there is coffee made from Coffee beans that have passed literally through the digestive system of Civets, and is greatly prized for its flavour. Well over to you now for more suggestions please?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Ever heard of a “Furry” before?
Just when I thought I had heard of everything, I came across a group of people, called “Furry’ in the singular, and ”Furries’ or “Furs” in the plural.
According to Wikipedia, (from where all the following information comes): “The word furry has several meanings, dependent on the context in which it is used. Predominantly, it means "consisting of or resembling fur".
It also pertains to an interest in anthropomorphic animals and/or mythological or imaginary creatures which possess human or superhuman capabilities.
The plural form of furry in all its contexts is furs or furries; the subjects of furry interest are also known as furries. Because people in the fandom tend to identify closely with their avatars (or fursonas), the word is often used to mean a group of furry characters in art or roleplay.
What it means to be furry: Someone who says they are furry is generally expressing an interest in anthropomorphic animals and/or creatures (and perhaps some affiliation to furry fandom). They may express that that interest in a variety of ways - through art and stories through to roleplay and performance. How deep or meaningful an interest in Furry is varies greatly from person to person.
Furry's gamut of interests: Below is a list of common interests with which a fur is likely to identify. A furry may be interested in any or all of them, to any degree.
Cartoons and games
Interest in anthropomorphic animals and/or creatures can be as simple as the many popular furry cartoon characters, known as funny animals. These may include Bugs Bunny, Tony the Tiger, Sly Cooper, Star Fox, etc. However, someone who merely happens to like these characters is not necessarily a furry; the degree and nature of one's interest is relevant here.
Spirituality: Some furs believe they have a spiritual connection to a particular animal which is typically their fursona, but also may be a totem. Strong spiritual believers may often say that they are "an animal in a human body" (and in fact may identify themselves as otherkin, weres and/or therians which are their own categories and not linked to the furry fandom just by interest). Some join and find the furry fandom to be a place to be themselves, as most of these groups are underground and the furry fandom is more open to the world. However, not all
therians have their theriotype as their fursona.
Art and creativity: Some furs may be interested only in the creative aspects of the furry fandom. Furry content, both online and off, is easy to obtain, and available in vast amounts, and furs produce new works regularly. Furry artwork is also done by many nonfurries as well in targeting the fandom. Others may disassociate themselves from the fandom and refer to themselves as funny animal artists. Furries may also enjoy role-playing a particular furry character or fursona, sometimes writing about this character or recording their online interactions for posterity.
Fursuiting: Some furries enjoy the practice of dressing up in a costume that is typically designed after a fursona. These "fursuits" are usually worn at conventions, and a few are even designed to accommodate sexual situations. Some furries opt to wear a "partial" suit, consisting of a head, tail, and paws, instead of a full fursuit; others may just wear a tail or various other pieces. While only a minority (about 15-20%) consider themselves fursuiters, they tend to be highly visible at events where many furries are present.
Sexuality: To some furs, the sexual attraction to anthropomorphic animals is a part of what makes them furry. This is a topic of much controversy, as it has been the subject of early media attention (such as that from Wired Magazine and Vanity Fair), leading to its becoming a common stereotype of the furry community at large. This has spawned a few groups in response (such as the Burned Furs) with a desire to discourage this angle, or create a clear distinction between these furries and the rest of the community.
Other contexts of Furry: From within the fandom, anything classified as an anthropomorphic animal and/or creature could be called a furry. That could be anything from Scooby Doo to various sports mascots to Omaha the Cat Dancer. Since mainstream characters are generally not created with furries in mind, the furry context is presumed by most outsiders to not be present despite subcultural interest.
Any art showcasing anthropomorphic animals is generally considered furry artwork. Artwork that contains furries in sexual situations may be called yiff or spooge art.
Non-furry furries: Anthropomorphic creatures that are also considered to be furry (even with the lack of pelt or fur) include (but are not limited to): dragons and lizards (also known as scalies and herps, respectively), Cetaceans (dolphins and Orcas), birds and gryphons (also known as featheries or avians), and taurs (centaurs being the prime example).”
Well there you are! Now you know as much as I do about Furries, even if you didn’t want to know! As I had not heard of Furries before, I can’t help but wonder what other “on the Fringe” groups there are out there in the wider world? What are some you know off please?
According to Wikipedia, (from where all the following information comes): “The word furry has several meanings, dependent on the context in which it is used. Predominantly, it means "consisting of or resembling fur".
It also pertains to an interest in anthropomorphic animals and/or mythological or imaginary creatures which possess human or superhuman capabilities.
The plural form of furry in all its contexts is furs or furries; the subjects of furry interest are also known as furries. Because people in the fandom tend to identify closely with their avatars (or fursonas), the word is often used to mean a group of furry characters in art or roleplay.
What it means to be furry: Someone who says they are furry is generally expressing an interest in anthropomorphic animals and/or creatures (and perhaps some affiliation to furry fandom). They may express that that interest in a variety of ways - through art and stories through to roleplay and performance. How deep or meaningful an interest in Furry is varies greatly from person to person.
Furry's gamut of interests: Below is a list of common interests with which a fur is likely to identify. A furry may be interested in any or all of them, to any degree.
Cartoons and games
Interest in anthropomorphic animals and/or creatures can be as simple as the many popular furry cartoon characters, known as funny animals. These may include Bugs Bunny, Tony the Tiger, Sly Cooper, Star Fox, etc. However, someone who merely happens to like these characters is not necessarily a furry; the degree and nature of one's interest is relevant here.
Spirituality: Some furs believe they have a spiritual connection to a particular animal which is typically their fursona, but also may be a totem. Strong spiritual believers may often say that they are "an animal in a human body" (and in fact may identify themselves as otherkin, weres and/or therians which are their own categories and not linked to the furry fandom just by interest). Some join and find the furry fandom to be a place to be themselves, as most of these groups are underground and the furry fandom is more open to the world. However, not all
therians have their theriotype as their fursona.
Art and creativity: Some furs may be interested only in the creative aspects of the furry fandom. Furry content, both online and off, is easy to obtain, and available in vast amounts, and furs produce new works regularly. Furry artwork is also done by many nonfurries as well in targeting the fandom. Others may disassociate themselves from the fandom and refer to themselves as funny animal artists. Furries may also enjoy role-playing a particular furry character or fursona, sometimes writing about this character or recording their online interactions for posterity.
Fursuiting: Some furries enjoy the practice of dressing up in a costume that is typically designed after a fursona. These "fursuits" are usually worn at conventions, and a few are even designed to accommodate sexual situations. Some furries opt to wear a "partial" suit, consisting of a head, tail, and paws, instead of a full fursuit; others may just wear a tail or various other pieces. While only a minority (about 15-20%) consider themselves fursuiters, they tend to be highly visible at events where many furries are present.
Sexuality: To some furs, the sexual attraction to anthropomorphic animals is a part of what makes them furry. This is a topic of much controversy, as it has been the subject of early media attention (such as that from Wired Magazine and Vanity Fair), leading to its becoming a common stereotype of the furry community at large. This has spawned a few groups in response (such as the Burned Furs) with a desire to discourage this angle, or create a clear distinction between these furries and the rest of the community.
Other contexts of Furry: From within the fandom, anything classified as an anthropomorphic animal and/or creature could be called a furry. That could be anything from Scooby Doo to various sports mascots to Omaha the Cat Dancer. Since mainstream characters are generally not created with furries in mind, the furry context is presumed by most outsiders to not be present despite subcultural interest.
Any art showcasing anthropomorphic animals is generally considered furry artwork. Artwork that contains furries in sexual situations may be called yiff or spooge art.
Non-furry furries: Anthropomorphic creatures that are also considered to be furry (even with the lack of pelt or fur) include (but are not limited to): dragons and lizards (also known as scalies and herps, respectively), Cetaceans (dolphins and Orcas), birds and gryphons (also known as featheries or avians), and taurs (centaurs being the prime example).”
Well there you are! Now you know as much as I do about Furries, even if you didn’t want to know! As I had not heard of Furries before, I can’t help but wonder what other “on the Fringe” groups there are out there in the wider world? What are some you know off please?
Sunday, July 17, 2011
What are your first seven words?
In his Book “Hard wired Humans”, a review of which was in the Weekend supplement of the Melbourne Herald Sun Newspaper, on the 9th of July, Andrew O’Keeffe, talks about how humans tend to judge and classify people within the first few seconds of meeting people and once these judgements are made, it is very hard to get them to change their judgements.
Thus he says, that even if you meet and talk with someone for an hour, it is in the first few seconds that their opinion of you is made, thus he warns that the first seven words you speak to them then, are in fact “the seven most important words you’ll say”.
According to Andrew, “The working memory of the brain has a capacity for around two seconds or seven units of data.” Thus according to Andrew, it is vitally important you get your message across with those first seven words/two seconds, or else you are just wasting your and their time!
What do you say to Andrew O’Keeffe’s theory and if valid to any degree in your opinion, how will you use this information in future, if at all? Over to you again.
Thus he says, that even if you meet and talk with someone for an hour, it is in the first few seconds that their opinion of you is made, thus he warns that the first seven words you speak to them then, are in fact “the seven most important words you’ll say”.
According to Andrew, “The working memory of the brain has a capacity for around two seconds or seven units of data.” Thus according to Andrew, it is vitally important you get your message across with those first seven words/two seconds, or else you are just wasting your and their time!
What do you say to Andrew O’Keeffe’s theory and if valid to any degree in your opinion, how will you use this information in future, if at all? Over to you again.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Do you literally mean, “Welcome to Bedlam”?
Ever used the phrase, “Welcome to Bedlam? If you have, you are in fact inviting people into an official Insane Asylum or Mad House! For that is what Bedlam originally meant. Of course it is now used in the broader and unofficial sense of temporary madness and confusion and not the official thing! At least I hope that is how you use is it!
Yes, Bedlam, the “Word of the Day” for Saturday, July 2, 2011, is another of those words whose original meaning has changed. Yet it still holds true to some degree, even if unofficially, to its original meaning, as we see from its official description as:
1. A scene or state of wild uproar and confusion.
2. An archaic term for an insane asylum or madhouse.
So how do you use “Welcome to Bedlam”, if indeed you do use it at all? Although well conversant with the word and meaning of bedlam, “Welcome to Bedlam” it is not a phrase I use at all, if ever. What about you?
Yes, Bedlam, the “Word of the Day” for Saturday, July 2, 2011, is another of those words whose original meaning has changed. Yet it still holds true to some degree, even if unofficially, to its original meaning, as we see from its official description as:
1. A scene or state of wild uproar and confusion.
2. An archaic term for an insane asylum or madhouse.
So how do you use “Welcome to Bedlam”, if indeed you do use it at all? Although well conversant with the word and meaning of bedlam, “Welcome to Bedlam” it is not a phrase I use at all, if ever. What about you?
Friday, July 15, 2011
Do you have Jujitsu?
Please note that I didn’t ask if you know Jujitsu, but rather if you have Jujitsu.
Yes Jujitsu is another of those words whose secondary meaning has over time, became in most people’s minds the priority meaning.
However, according to the “Word of the Day for Thursday, June 23, 2011, jujitsu originally meant: “The ability to accomplish a task with no apparent effort or resistance.”
And only later became the “Method developed in Japan of defending oneself without the use of weapons by using the strength and weight of an adversary to disable him.”
So again I ask do you have Jujitsu: that is “the ability to accomplish a task with no apparent effort or resistance.” I don’t. Of course I like to put that down to old age creeping up on me, but being completely honest, fluidity of movement was never my strong point. What about you now?
Yes Jujitsu is another of those words whose secondary meaning has over time, became in most people’s minds the priority meaning.
However, according to the “Word of the Day for Thursday, June 23, 2011, jujitsu originally meant: “The ability to accomplish a task with no apparent effort or resistance.”
And only later became the “Method developed in Japan of defending oneself without the use of weapons by using the strength and weight of an adversary to disable him.”
So again I ask do you have Jujitsu: that is “the ability to accomplish a task with no apparent effort or resistance.” I don’t. Of course I like to put that down to old age creeping up on me, but being completely honest, fluidity of movement was never my strong point. What about you now?
Thursday, July 14, 2011
How heavy is my Sledge hammer?
Having grown up on a small farm on the then country outskirts of Melbourne, there was always a wide variety of tools around the farm to borrow if I needed something but not enough to buy my own when I moved out and into my own home. A sledge hammer was one such tool that I occasionally borrowed from home.
However upon our return from our many years overseas, I decided that I had enough need of a sledge hammer to warrant buying one of my own. So one day I went to the local hardware store and looked over what they had for sale. What I really wanted was a 10 pound one, but they only had 8 or 12 pound ones! Anyhow, after a lot of indecision and umming and hahhing, on my part, I finally decided to go for the heavier one.
A decision I often later lamented about, (and apparently often to my son too), as a 12 pound hammer gets quite heavy after a while! Don’t believe me? Ask my son! In fact I will pass onto you here, his very own comments on my sledgehammer. A little while back he had to help a friend build a dog proof pen in his yard, and so borrowed my “little" sledge hammer!
Here is his response to my inquiry if he would be around the following night for tea (Evening meal). “Won't be around tomorrow evening for dinner......or anything else. Helping **** build a fence for the dog and have only got about half way through so will be continuing that tomorrow. On the first picket I thought you were weak, complaining about your sledge hammer, but soon was agreeing with you, and then completely and utterly in agreeance after the 12th one.”
So the answer to my question of how heavy my sledgehammer is, depends on how much you use it. If not often, it isn’t heavy at all. But use it a lot and it soon becomes quite heavy.
Life is often like that isn’t it? Some things don’t seem too “heavy” at first, or if you don’t do them often, but then can become quite burdensome after continual usage, and often you just have to either pace yourself, or only do them in short bursts, so as not to wear yourself out.
So as I close now, what heavy "sledgehammers" do you have, that you either have to trade in for lighter ones, or else pace yourself for, in their usage? Over to you now for your thoughts.
However upon our return from our many years overseas, I decided that I had enough need of a sledge hammer to warrant buying one of my own. So one day I went to the local hardware store and looked over what they had for sale. What I really wanted was a 10 pound one, but they only had 8 or 12 pound ones! Anyhow, after a lot of indecision and umming and hahhing, on my part, I finally decided to go for the heavier one.
A decision I often later lamented about, (and apparently often to my son too), as a 12 pound hammer gets quite heavy after a while! Don’t believe me? Ask my son! In fact I will pass onto you here, his very own comments on my sledgehammer. A little while back he had to help a friend build a dog proof pen in his yard, and so borrowed my “little" sledge hammer!
Here is his response to my inquiry if he would be around the following night for tea (Evening meal). “Won't be around tomorrow evening for dinner......or anything else. Helping **** build a fence for the dog and have only got about half way through so will be continuing that tomorrow. On the first picket I thought you were weak, complaining about your sledge hammer, but soon was agreeing with you, and then completely and utterly in agreeance after the 12th one.”
So the answer to my question of how heavy my sledgehammer is, depends on how much you use it. If not often, it isn’t heavy at all. But use it a lot and it soon becomes quite heavy.
Life is often like that isn’t it? Some things don’t seem too “heavy” at first, or if you don’t do them often, but then can become quite burdensome after continual usage, and often you just have to either pace yourself, or only do them in short bursts, so as not to wear yourself out.
So as I close now, what heavy "sledgehammers" do you have, that you either have to trade in for lighter ones, or else pace yourself for, in their usage? Over to you now for your thoughts.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Are you Catawampus today?
Catawampus, according to the “Word of the Day” for Tuesday, June 28, 2011, means something or someone who is:
1. Off-centre; askew; awry.
2. Positioned diagonally; cater-cornered.
So the question today is: “How is your life now? Is it currently catawampus and off centre and diagonally positioned to everything and everyone else? And if so, are you really happy about that?
If not, and if it is you who is catawampus to everyone else, it is you who needs to change where possible, isn’t it? Again I will leave that with you to reflect and hopefully, to act upon positively now.
1. Off-centre; askew; awry.
2. Positioned diagonally; cater-cornered.
So the question today is: “How is your life now? Is it currently catawampus and off centre and diagonally positioned to everything and everyone else? And if so, are you really happy about that?
If not, and if it is you who is catawampus to everyone else, it is you who needs to change where possible, isn’t it? Again I will leave that with you to reflect and hopefully, to act upon positively now.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Remembering Hawthorn Hedges.
Now it doesn’t really matter whether you spell it ‘Hawthorne’ or ‘Hawthorn’, it is the same tree and the name simply means "thorny hedge."
I was reminded of this Hedge plant a couple of times recently. Firstly I was recently watching a Scottish show with my First born and she remarked on the hedges in Scotland, along with the stone fences, and I reminded her that in at least one place in Victoria, at a place called funnily enough, Stony Rises in the Western District, Stone fences still remain, although Hawthorn Hedges do seem a thing of the past now.
I then reminisced on how as a Child there were plenty of Hawthorn Hedges at Kangaroo Ground. And guess what? The original settlers at Kangaroo Ground were Scottish too. And they kept Sheep then too.
Sadly today at KG, all the sheep and the Hawthorn hedges are all gone now. But when I went to Primary school there, we lived 4 miles from School and so Mum used to drive us to school each day. However as parking at the School was limited and awkward, we had to walk a mile or so towards Home, where she would come along and pick us up than, as it was much easier to turn there than at the School. So sometimes we would walk even as far as the Cemetery there, which was more like two miles! And there were hawthorn hedges almost all along the way, on one side of the road or the other. Sadly the sheep and the hedges have all gone now and replaced with either grape vines or houses!
Secondly I then went for a walk around our Neighbourhood a bit further than normal and came back along Mooroolbark Road, and tried out this nice new concrete path they have put in between Landscape Avenue and the Park at the bottom end of the Road. Whilst walking along this pathway, I noticed among the many new native plants being planted, there was in places what looked like the remains of an old Hawthorn Hedge. And it turned out it was the still living relics of a Hawthorn Hedge in places. Nothing like it would have been years ago, but still there nonetheless!
So I was happy to see that even in this day with the mad race to remove all introduced plants and replace them with natives, (many of which are not really native to this area,) that some common sense was being shown with the reattaining of at least some of the character of years gone by.
How about you now? Are you so interested in the new that you are throwing out the old without any thought or concern for your heritage or the things of your Youth?
So as you think of the things of your Youth that are fast disappearing, please think of what you can do to keep those things worthy of preservation, and not just throw everything old out for the new. True, not everyone will miss these prickly old hedges, but in full bloom they were a sight to behold, even if they do/did give some people hay-fever or asthma! What say you now?
I was reminded of this Hedge plant a couple of times recently. Firstly I was recently watching a Scottish show with my First born and she remarked on the hedges in Scotland, along with the stone fences, and I reminded her that in at least one place in Victoria, at a place called funnily enough, Stony Rises in the Western District, Stone fences still remain, although Hawthorn Hedges do seem a thing of the past now.
I then reminisced on how as a Child there were plenty of Hawthorn Hedges at Kangaroo Ground. And guess what? The original settlers at Kangaroo Ground were Scottish too. And they kept Sheep then too.
Sadly today at KG, all the sheep and the Hawthorn hedges are all gone now. But when I went to Primary school there, we lived 4 miles from School and so Mum used to drive us to school each day. However as parking at the School was limited and awkward, we had to walk a mile or so towards Home, where she would come along and pick us up than, as it was much easier to turn there than at the School. So sometimes we would walk even as far as the Cemetery there, which was more like two miles! And there were hawthorn hedges almost all along the way, on one side of the road or the other. Sadly the sheep and the hedges have all gone now and replaced with either grape vines or houses!
Secondly I then went for a walk around our Neighbourhood a bit further than normal and came back along Mooroolbark Road, and tried out this nice new concrete path they have put in between Landscape Avenue and the Park at the bottom end of the Road. Whilst walking along this pathway, I noticed among the many new native plants being planted, there was in places what looked like the remains of an old Hawthorn Hedge. And it turned out it was the still living relics of a Hawthorn Hedge in places. Nothing like it would have been years ago, but still there nonetheless!
So I was happy to see that even in this day with the mad race to remove all introduced plants and replace them with natives, (many of which are not really native to this area,) that some common sense was being shown with the reattaining of at least some of the character of years gone by.
How about you now? Are you so interested in the new that you are throwing out the old without any thought or concern for your heritage or the things of your Youth?
So as you think of the things of your Youth that are fast disappearing, please think of what you can do to keep those things worthy of preservation, and not just throw everything old out for the new. True, not everyone will miss these prickly old hedges, but in full bloom they were a sight to behold, even if they do/did give some people hay-fever or asthma! What say you now?
Monday, July 11, 2011
Something got lost in the pronunciation.
In a couple of recent Blogs (What does Junket mean to you? & Are you Kosher or even Cosher?) I mentioned in passing, the dangers of mishearing and/ or the danger of mispronunciation. All this triggered in my memory, an event that happened over 20 years ago, when we first arrived in the then Republic of Transkei.
Until we had time to rent a place of our own, it had earlier been arranged for us that we would house-sit for 2 months for an American family going back to the States for that time. As it turned out, we arrived two days before they left, and so we got to meet them and their dog, which we would also be looking after, during that time. So that first day myself, our last born daughter and the wife of the American couple, went for a walk with the dog 'Spart'. Along the way my last born asked what the name of the dog meant a sit was unusual to her. I, in my mighty wisdom and all-encompassing knowledge, guessed that it was probably short for Spartacus! Which in hindsight probably wasn’t that logical for a female dog, was it?
Anyway, at that point our American hostess said that, “It might not be noticeable now but when we first got her; she had a big 'spart' on her. And so that is how she was called Spart!”
At that point both my daughter and I realized she wasn’t saying Spart, but actually saying Spot!
Well that was me! What are some funny or embarrassing mispronunciations that you have heard or made?
Until we had time to rent a place of our own, it had earlier been arranged for us that we would house-sit for 2 months for an American family going back to the States for that time. As it turned out, we arrived two days before they left, and so we got to meet them and their dog, which we would also be looking after, during that time. So that first day myself, our last born daughter and the wife of the American couple, went for a walk with the dog 'Spart'. Along the way my last born asked what the name of the dog meant a sit was unusual to her. I, in my mighty wisdom and all-encompassing knowledge, guessed that it was probably short for Spartacus! Which in hindsight probably wasn’t that logical for a female dog, was it?
Anyway, at that point our American hostess said that, “It might not be noticeable now but when we first got her; she had a big 'spart' on her. And so that is how she was called Spart!”
At that point both my daughter and I realized she wasn’t saying Spart, but actually saying Spot!
Well that was me! What are some funny or embarrassing mispronunciations that you have heard or made?
Something got lost in the pronunciation.
In a couple of recent Blogs (What does Junket mean to you? & Are you Kosher or even Cosher?) I mentioned in passing, the dangers of mishearing and/ or the danger of mispronunciation. All this triggered in my memory, an event that happened over 20 years ago, when we first arrived in the then Republic of Transkei.
Until we had time to rent a place of our own, it had earlier been arranged for us that we would house-sit for 2 months for an American family going back to the States for that time. As it turned out, we arrived two days before they left, and so we got to meet them and their dog, which we would also be looking after, during that time. So that first day myself, our last born daughter and the wife of the American couple, went for a walk with the dog 'Spart'. Along the way my last born asked what the name of the dog meant a sit was unusual to her. I, in my mighty wisdom and all-encompassing knowledge, guessed that it was probably short for Spartacus! Which in hindsight probably wasn’t that logical for a female dog, was it?
Anyway, at that point our American hostess said that, “It might not be noticeable now but when we first got her; she had a big 'spart' on her. And so that is how she was called Spart!”
At that point both my daughter and I realized she wasn’t saying Spart, but actually saying Spot!
Well that was me! What are some funny or embarrassing mispronunciations that you have heard or made?
Until we had time to rent a place of our own, it had earlier been arranged for us that we would house-sit for 2 months for an American family going back to the States for that time. As it turned out, we arrived two days before they left, and so we got to meet them and their dog, which we would also be looking after, during that time. So that first day myself, our last born daughter and the wife of the American couple, went for a walk with the dog 'Spart'. Along the way my last born asked what the name of the dog meant a sit was unusual to her. I, in my mighty wisdom and all-encompassing knowledge, guessed that it was probably short for Spartacus! Which in hindsight probably wasn’t that logical for a female dog, was it?
Anyway, at that point our American hostess said that, “It might not be noticeable now but when we first got her; she had a big 'spart' on her. And so that is how she was called Spart!”
At that point both my daughter and I realized she wasn’t saying Spart, but actually saying Spot!
Well that was me! What are some funny or embarrassing mispronunciations that you have heard or made?
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Are you Kosher or even Cosher?
Here is a case of two words looking very similar, (although pronounced differently) and with two distinct different meanings.
The second and Word of the Day for Monday, June 13, 2011 is ‘cosher’ and pronounced \KOSH-er\, and means “To treat with special fondness”.
The other and more familiar word to most, is ‘kosher’ and pronounced as [koh-sher], and in its relationship to Judaism, it means either:
a. Fit or allowed to be eaten or used, according to the dietary or ceremonial laws: kosher meat; kosher dishes; a kosher talith.
b. Adhering to the laws governing such fitness: a kosher restaurant.
And in informal usage, it has the understanding of:
a. Being proper; or legitimate.
b. Being genuine; or authentic.
The above again just warns of the danger of not knowing words and their proper pronunciation and the opportunity to get into trouble through not knowing the difference.
While being cosher is not a bad thing for most people, it is still not necessarily kosher to others, is it?
What say you now? Is this distinction really important? Or am I just playing with words? Your say now.
The second and Word of the Day for Monday, June 13, 2011 is ‘cosher’ and pronounced \KOSH-er\, and means “To treat with special fondness”.
The other and more familiar word to most, is ‘kosher’ and pronounced as [koh-sher], and in its relationship to Judaism, it means either:
a. Fit or allowed to be eaten or used, according to the dietary or ceremonial laws: kosher meat; kosher dishes; a kosher talith.
b. Adhering to the laws governing such fitness: a kosher restaurant.
And in informal usage, it has the understanding of:
a. Being proper; or legitimate.
b. Being genuine; or authentic.
The above again just warns of the danger of not knowing words and their proper pronunciation and the opportunity to get into trouble through not knowing the difference.
While being cosher is not a bad thing for most people, it is still not necessarily kosher to others, is it?
What say you now? Is this distinction really important? Or am I just playing with words? Your say now.
Friday, July 8, 2011
What does Junket mean to you?
Recently noticed the following comment on Face book from an Australian friend currently in America. She says: “To send something to the tip / dump as Americans say - you junket. To those of my age junket was something you have for dessert.”
Personally I think that American usage/understanding, is just a mispronouncement and contraction of how Americans pronounce, ‘Junk it.*’ Particularly as I could find no similar understanding of that leaning, in the online Dictionary, which gives the 3 main understandings or usages, of Junket.
1. A sweet, custard like food of flavored milk curdled with rennet.
2. A pleasure excursion, as a picnic or outing.
3. A trip, as by an official or legislative committee, paid out of public funds and ostensibly to obtain information.
The first understanding I am very familiar with as we used to have Junket a lot as a kid. Might have had something to do with milking our own house cows and usually having a bit of spare milk to use sometimes? Anyhow liked it then, but haven’t had it in years now.
The second meaning was not known to me but the third was, and in light of the second meaning, it is easy to understand what it means when the papers accuse this or that Pollie of having taken an unnecessary trip/ junket, overseas at Tax-Payers’ expense.**
Well again that is enough of me. How did you understand the word Junket, and in which of its senses, do you use, if you use any that is?
*Turns out I was right, as my friend later wrote this in correction: “Junk it - The Americans say”.
** On the very day I wrote this (July 6th 2011) The Melbourne Herald Sun Newspaper, ran an item headed with: “Greece is word for junket MP’s.”
Personally I think that American usage/understanding, is just a mispronouncement and contraction of how Americans pronounce, ‘Junk it.*’ Particularly as I could find no similar understanding of that leaning, in the online Dictionary, which gives the 3 main understandings or usages, of Junket.
1. A sweet, custard like food of flavored milk curdled with rennet.
2. A pleasure excursion, as a picnic or outing.
3. A trip, as by an official or legislative committee, paid out of public funds and ostensibly to obtain information.
The first understanding I am very familiar with as we used to have Junket a lot as a kid. Might have had something to do with milking our own house cows and usually having a bit of spare milk to use sometimes? Anyhow liked it then, but haven’t had it in years now.
The second meaning was not known to me but the third was, and in light of the second meaning, it is easy to understand what it means when the papers accuse this or that Pollie of having taken an unnecessary trip/ junket, overseas at Tax-Payers’ expense.**
Well again that is enough of me. How did you understand the word Junket, and in which of its senses, do you use, if you use any that is?
*Turns out I was right, as my friend later wrote this in correction: “Junk it - The Americans say”.
** On the very day I wrote this (July 6th 2011) The Melbourne Herald Sun Newspaper, ran an item headed with: “Greece is word for junket MP’s.”
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Who is the real Galah?
In my recent Blog, “Taking the bad with the Good” I mentioned that we had a problem with our plan in attracting Parrots to our Balcony and how some other birds such as the Galahs, were dominating and bossing away the birds we really wanted to keep feeding.
I also mentioned how it got so bad last year that we stopped feeding all the birds at one stage but started again recently now that the recent cooler months are here where wild food is scarce and the desired birds started revisiting again.
At first, we only started putting seed out in the late afternoon and early morning for the Parrots and Common Bronze Wing pigeons, and ignored the other birds. Well, up to the other day that is! My wife went out the back and was going down the steps to the yard, when she was given a scolding, by one of the Galahs sitting on the seed tray on the balcony, who obviously reckoned that she needed to be pulled into line if it wanted to be fed. Well my wife immediately came inside and told me. And so after laughing my head off, I told her to reward the cheeky Galah for his/her cheek; but even now still can’t work out who was the bigger galah? It or me! What say you?
I also mentioned how it got so bad last year that we stopped feeding all the birds at one stage but started again recently now that the recent cooler months are here where wild food is scarce and the desired birds started revisiting again.
At first, we only started putting seed out in the late afternoon and early morning for the Parrots and Common Bronze Wing pigeons, and ignored the other birds. Well, up to the other day that is! My wife went out the back and was going down the steps to the yard, when she was given a scolding, by one of the Galahs sitting on the seed tray on the balcony, who obviously reckoned that she needed to be pulled into line if it wanted to be fed. Well my wife immediately came inside and told me. And so after laughing my head off, I told her to reward the cheeky Galah for his/her cheek; but even now still can’t work out who was the bigger galah? It or me! What say you?
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Taking the Bad with the Good.
In my recent Blog, “Pardon My Parroting On,” I mentioned how we started putting some Parrot seed out to attract some local parrots into our backyard and onto our balcony. I also mentioned that it worked better than I could have dreamt it would, and soon we had not only the local parrots but other non-local parrots and rarer birds as well, including the now, not so common, Common Bronze wing Pigeon.
I did not mention the noisy miner, or the common spotted doves, but did mention the Whistling or Crested Pigeon and the pink Galahs. Well these doves, Pigeons and galahs, are now the problem with trying to attract parrots to our Place. Yes we very quickly attracted the desired parrots and a few other desired birds too, but these others soon became problems to us.
The Crested Pigeons, although not native to our area, hang out in a group of up to 20, and the spotted doves, although not normally in groups, are also numerous here and so a lot of seed goes to the wrong birds. And as well, some of the crested pigeons and especially the Galahs, are very bossy and drive away the desired birds and hog the seed for themselves.
Which then leaves us with having to decide between the expensive option of trying to keep seed up to all and sundry, just to try and attract a few desirable birds? Or to feed none and let them all go away?
Over the previous Spring and Summer, we actuality took that latter action, but now in the Winter when some of the desired birds started coming back, we started putting out parrot seed again. And again, quickly re-attracted all the birds we would rather not have! Or at least not have in such large numbers. Thus we have chosen to accept the bad to keep the Good. How would you choose to handle this or a similar situation?
I did not mention the noisy miner, or the common spotted doves, but did mention the Whistling or Crested Pigeon and the pink Galahs. Well these doves, Pigeons and galahs, are now the problem with trying to attract parrots to our Place. Yes we very quickly attracted the desired parrots and a few other desired birds too, but these others soon became problems to us.
The Crested Pigeons, although not native to our area, hang out in a group of up to 20, and the spotted doves, although not normally in groups, are also numerous here and so a lot of seed goes to the wrong birds. And as well, some of the crested pigeons and especially the Galahs, are very bossy and drive away the desired birds and hog the seed for themselves.
Which then leaves us with having to decide between the expensive option of trying to keep seed up to all and sundry, just to try and attract a few desirable birds? Or to feed none and let them all go away?
Over the previous Spring and Summer, we actuality took that latter action, but now in the Winter when some of the desired birds started coming back, we started putting out parrot seed again. And again, quickly re-attracted all the birds we would rather not have! Or at least not have in such large numbers. Thus we have chosen to accept the bad to keep the Good. How would you choose to handle this or a similar situation?
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Pardon my parroting on.
At our previous place of residence, we noticed some parrots in the nearby trees and so bought some bird seed to try and encourage them to come and visit us. Which they didn’t really do. Or if they did, the Magpies soon drove them away. I have blogged elsewhere about the Magpies, but over a short time my wife was feeding up to 20 of them until we went on a month’s holiday and never restarted feeding them upon our return due to our then imminent move to this place.
Having moved here, I again noticed some Parrots nearby, so I again wanted to see if we could attract them here, but due to our previous dominance with the magpies, took a while to actually do it. Then one day at our local hardware chain, I saw a 4kg Block of seed for the same price in Dollars, so brought it with the intention of putting it straight out for the parrots! Which I never did; but put it in the garage instead, where I rediscovered it a couple of months later and put it out finally in the faint hope of attracting some local parrots!
Well I did succeed in attracting some local parrots such as the Crimson Rosella (Mountain Larry) and the Eastern Rosellas. However much to my surprise and absolute delight, we also attracted some non-local parrots too! Such as Rainbow Lorikeets and some beautiful King Parrots too! Latter we also attracted some Galahs and some Whistling or Crested Pigeons and even the now not so common, Common Bronze Wing Pigeons too!
None of which we would have seen here on our balcony, if we had not started to feed the local birds. And none of which we would have seen, if I had not finally put the Parrot food out for them.
So if you want something that is obtainable, start making plans to make that goal achievable. And having made your plans, actually take the next steps needed to make your goals a possibility, and not keep your 'Parrot seed' untouched and unreachable in the garage like me.
Again, you may not always be successful, but you will never know if you don’t have a go. So if there is something that you would like to achieve, and think you can, go out and give it your best shot. And do it now! Will you do that now?
Having moved here, I again noticed some Parrots nearby, so I again wanted to see if we could attract them here, but due to our previous dominance with the magpies, took a while to actually do it. Then one day at our local hardware chain, I saw a 4kg Block of seed for the same price in Dollars, so brought it with the intention of putting it straight out for the parrots! Which I never did; but put it in the garage instead, where I rediscovered it a couple of months later and put it out finally in the faint hope of attracting some local parrots!
Well I did succeed in attracting some local parrots such as the Crimson Rosella (Mountain Larry) and the Eastern Rosellas. However much to my surprise and absolute delight, we also attracted some non-local parrots too! Such as Rainbow Lorikeets and some beautiful King Parrots too! Latter we also attracted some Galahs and some Whistling or Crested Pigeons and even the now not so common, Common Bronze Wing Pigeons too!
None of which we would have seen here on our balcony, if we had not started to feed the local birds. And none of which we would have seen, if I had not finally put the Parrot food out for them.
So if you want something that is obtainable, start making plans to make that goal achievable. And having made your plans, actually take the next steps needed to make your goals a possibility, and not keep your 'Parrot seed' untouched and unreachable in the garage like me.
Again, you may not always be successful, but you will never know if you don’t have a go. So if there is something that you would like to achieve, and think you can, go out and give it your best shot. And do it now! Will you do that now?
Monday, July 4, 2011
Face book: Friend or foe?
A family brouhaha, has currently developed on Face book between some family members over what is appropriate and when, on Face Book.
My wife received a phone call on Friday Morning saying that her father was in a bad way and not expected to make out the weekend. So it was not surprising on Saturday night that I was woken from a deep sleep not long before Midnight to receive the sad news of his passing at 91. As it was so late, I decided not to wake my wife (although she had woken up anyway so I told here then,) and daughter, nor to ring our other daughter and son, but rather wait till the morning to do so.
Before doing so the next morning, I decided to check my face book page to allow a bit more time to elapse before getting them out of bed on their one sleep-in day of the week.
So I was surprised to find out at 8: 30 am Sunday Morning that some, much to the dismay of others who like me had not yet told their (teenage) children, (who not only have face book but access to it via their phones,) had already posted the news as early as 2: 30 am of that same day.
Since then, there have been back and forth discussions on Face book to the merit or lack thereof of pasting such news so quickly on Face Book.
And as an independent observer, one can see merit on both sides, but again see the very real danger of putting something as important and personal as that out into the public airways so soon, before everyone else has had the opportunity to learn it in private.
To me the problem was not so much with the act itself, but with the timing. So to answer my original question as to: Face Book: friend or Foe, it seems that the answer, like a lot of other things in life, including all sorts of modern technology, depends on how and when you use it, rather than the object itself!
So in closing now, how are you using, not only Facebook but all modern technology? Appropriately or Carelessly? Over to you now.
My wife received a phone call on Friday Morning saying that her father was in a bad way and not expected to make out the weekend. So it was not surprising on Saturday night that I was woken from a deep sleep not long before Midnight to receive the sad news of his passing at 91. As it was so late, I decided not to wake my wife (although she had woken up anyway so I told here then,) and daughter, nor to ring our other daughter and son, but rather wait till the morning to do so.
Before doing so the next morning, I decided to check my face book page to allow a bit more time to elapse before getting them out of bed on their one sleep-in day of the week.
So I was surprised to find out at 8: 30 am Sunday Morning that some, much to the dismay of others who like me had not yet told their (teenage) children, (who not only have face book but access to it via their phones,) had already posted the news as early as 2: 30 am of that same day.
Since then, there have been back and forth discussions on Face book to the merit or lack thereof of pasting such news so quickly on Face Book.
And as an independent observer, one can see merit on both sides, but again see the very real danger of putting something as important and personal as that out into the public airways so soon, before everyone else has had the opportunity to learn it in private.
To me the problem was not so much with the act itself, but with the timing. So to answer my original question as to: Face Book: friend or Foe, it seems that the answer, like a lot of other things in life, including all sorts of modern technology, depends on how and when you use it, rather than the object itself!
So in closing now, how are you using, not only Facebook but all modern technology? Appropriately or Carelessly? Over to you now.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
What is a Million Dollars’ worth these days?
According to the Melbourne Herald Sun Newspaper on June 24 2011, “In just the last two years, the number of Australians worth more than $1 million has increased by more than 45%”. I heard somewhere else that that means 11% of Australians are now millionaires! Sadly I and no one I know are that, but I couldn’t help wondering just how far a million Dollars would actually go these days? When I was a lad just staring out in the work force I brought a weekly Tattersall’s ticket, with a first prize of only $25, 000. Of course then you could enter the first home buyers’ market, for around half that, and have gotten new car, and still have “A bob or two” left over.
Now you would need over half a million Dollars to buy a first entry home in some suburbs alone! I think the gambling agencies have cottoned on to this too, and now in some lotteries the first prize is often between 10 & 15 million. (Last night they were advertising for one worth 30 Million!)
So obviously, even if you are one of those now 11% now, being a millionaire these days, it doesn’t mean you are really rich any more. Just better off than the other 89%! No, to be rich these days, you need to be a Billionaire instead.
Okay, so that’s money! What else has proven now to be not worth what it once promised to be, now that you have it? Over to you for comment now.
Now you would need over half a million Dollars to buy a first entry home in some suburbs alone! I think the gambling agencies have cottoned on to this too, and now in some lotteries the first prize is often between 10 & 15 million. (Last night they were advertising for one worth 30 Million!)
So obviously, even if you are one of those now 11% now, being a millionaire these days, it doesn’t mean you are really rich any more. Just better off than the other 89%! No, to be rich these days, you need to be a Billionaire instead.
Okay, so that’s money! What else has proven now to be not worth what it once promised to be, now that you have it? Over to you for comment now.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
What does Gay mean to you now?
In my 2010 blog, “What does a referee do?” I concluded with: “Again it just shows that even when using familiar words, they don't always have the meaning that we are familiar with, do they? And so we need to be careful at all times that we both know what the other means when using otherwise familiar words, don’t we?
So, are there any other familiar words that you have always used that now, you find have other meanings. Sometimes with totally opposite applications, like with “Cleave”.”
At that point I had not heard of any other words but since then was reminded on how the understanding of the word “Gay” has changed.
This is what a friend wrote in response to my request for words whose meanings have changed: “Interesting. And so much of this is because of the way language is fluid, and words can take on new meanings over time, or can eventually change meaning totally. A current (sad) example is ‘gay’. To me it is sad that the word has gone from a meaning expressing joy (something clearly from God), to what it commonly means now (which is clearly not from God). Another one that comes to mind is ‘let’ in KJV let is used in the sense of hindering or holding back, whereas it has the opposite meaning of allow now.
Words are amazing – truly the gift of communication is one of the things that shows clearly how we are made in His image, who is, after all, The Word.”
Interesting comment and quite true how once any may would not hesitate to say he was gay in the first sense, but would hesitate now lest he be thought gay in the new sense of the word, unless he really was.
Well, that is his say, and He has given us two words whose common meanings have changed. One a long tome back, and another in my generation! What are some other words commonly used by you that have different meanings now? Again over to you for now.
So, are there any other familiar words that you have always used that now, you find have other meanings. Sometimes with totally opposite applications, like with “Cleave”.”
At that point I had not heard of any other words but since then was reminded on how the understanding of the word “Gay” has changed.
This is what a friend wrote in response to my request for words whose meanings have changed: “Interesting. And so much of this is because of the way language is fluid, and words can take on new meanings over time, or can eventually change meaning totally. A current (sad) example is ‘gay’. To me it is sad that the word has gone from a meaning expressing joy (something clearly from God), to what it commonly means now (which is clearly not from God). Another one that comes to mind is ‘let’ in KJV let is used in the sense of hindering or holding back, whereas it has the opposite meaning of allow now.
Words are amazing – truly the gift of communication is one of the things that shows clearly how we are made in His image, who is, after all, The Word.”
Interesting comment and quite true how once any may would not hesitate to say he was gay in the first sense, but would hesitate now lest he be thought gay in the new sense of the word, unless he really was.
Well, that is his say, and He has given us two words whose common meanings have changed. One a long tome back, and another in my generation! What are some other words commonly used by you that have different meanings now? Again over to you for now.
Friday, July 1, 2011
What does cleave mean?
In my 2010 blog, “What does a referee do?” I concluded with: “Again it just shows that even when using familiar words, they don't always have the meaning that we are familiar with, do they? And so we need to be careful at all times that we both know what the other means when using otherwise familiar words, don’t we?
So, are there any other familiar words that you have always used that now, you find have other meanings. Sometimes with totally opposite applications, like with “Cleave”.”
As at that time I had not heard of any other words, so thought I would share with you the meaning of Cleave. Sorry I mean the “Meanings’ of Cleave.”
For as I once discovered, cleave as two totally opposite and in my mind at least opposing meanings.
While we were still in South Africa and at a Church conference with the Indian congregations in the Port Shepstone area, they had a Marriage councillor come in and talk about Marriage and cleaving.
To a country boy brought up with Cleavers and the such, my only understanding of cleave was to violently and with force cleave or cut apart. However upon checking it out in a dictionary I found that this counsellor was right and that there are two distinct, and almost opposite meanings for Cleave.
The first is the common one and is used in any of the following ways:
1. To split or divide by or as if by a cutting blow, esp. along a natural line of division, as the grain of wood.
2. To make by or as if by cutting: to cleave a path through the wilderness.
3. To penetrate or pass through (air, water, etc.): The bow of the boat cleaved the water cleanly.
4. To cut off; sever: to cleave a branch from a tree. –verb (used without object)
5. To part or split, esp. along a natural line of division.
6. To penetrate or advance by or as if by cutting (usually fol. by through).
And secondly, with the opposite and rarer (at least to me) meaning of:
1. To adhere closely; stick; cling (usually fol. by to).
2. To remain faithful (usually fol. by to): to cleave to one's principles in spite of persecution.
So now that you know the two understandings of the word cleave, how do you cleave to other people today? Do you violently of forcibly separate yourself from them? Or do you faithfully cling to and remain faithfully to them? Again over to you now for your application.
So, are there any other familiar words that you have always used that now, you find have other meanings. Sometimes with totally opposite applications, like with “Cleave”.”
As at that time I had not heard of any other words, so thought I would share with you the meaning of Cleave. Sorry I mean the “Meanings’ of Cleave.”
For as I once discovered, cleave as two totally opposite and in my mind at least opposing meanings.
While we were still in South Africa and at a Church conference with the Indian congregations in the Port Shepstone area, they had a Marriage councillor come in and talk about Marriage and cleaving.
To a country boy brought up with Cleavers and the such, my only understanding of cleave was to violently and with force cleave or cut apart. However upon checking it out in a dictionary I found that this counsellor was right and that there are two distinct, and almost opposite meanings for Cleave.
The first is the common one and is used in any of the following ways:
1. To split or divide by or as if by a cutting blow, esp. along a natural line of division, as the grain of wood.
2. To make by or as if by cutting: to cleave a path through the wilderness.
3. To penetrate or pass through (air, water, etc.): The bow of the boat cleaved the water cleanly.
4. To cut off; sever: to cleave a branch from a tree. –verb (used without object)
5. To part or split, esp. along a natural line of division.
6. To penetrate or advance by or as if by cutting (usually fol. by through).
And secondly, with the opposite and rarer (at least to me) meaning of:
1. To adhere closely; stick; cling (usually fol. by to).
2. To remain faithful (usually fol. by to): to cleave to one's principles in spite of persecution.
So now that you know the two understandings of the word cleave, how do you cleave to other people today? Do you violently of forcibly separate yourself from them? Or do you faithfully cling to and remain faithfully to them? Again over to you now for your application.
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