Tag Archives: whirligig

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Help an indigenous community grow 30 hectares of native trees in the Bolivian Amazon.

Tree Revolution — Changing Lives In Africa.

The Busoga Trust.

A new vid over at The Hag’s.

The Ghosts & Scholars archive has some fantastic articles and even some unpublished ghost stories by M.R. James.

A letter from Roald Dahl.

Drew-Shane Daniels’ article Why Won’t TV Networks Let Black Actors Be Great? is interesting. For the most part, television only reflects a very small selection of humanity, and even then it often does a middling job of it (but the latter is probably due to bad writing).

Feed Your Soul by Geneen Roth.

Men-Ups: Men Photographed In Stereotypical Pin-Up Poses.

An obituary for John Wood. Sniff.

How To Deal With Judgy Doctors.

UN States Told They Must Legalise Abortion. I hope so.

White Privilege Diary Series #1 — White Feminist Privilege in Organisations.

Actually, That’s Not In The Bible.

Taking The Cure (Or How I Made My Cold Better The Old Fashioned Way). I’d love to hear any more cold remedies. I usually get two or three a year; they bring my life to a grinding halt and I’m not allowed to complain because “it’s just a cold”.

Jill Ricci

Bald Is Beautiful, Women On Waves, and Did I Say Recycling?.

Margaret Cho on beauty.

One Teacher’s Approach To Preventing Gender Bullying In A Classroom.

Hugo Schwyzer on his resignation from the Good Men Project.

Wheels Of Change: How The Bicycle Empowered Women.

A Portly True Christmas Story.

Why “Yes, But” Is The Wrong Response To Misogyny.

Microaggressions: Power, Privilege, & Everyday Life.

What Would Beth Ditto Do?

A Natural History by Noah Doely.

Art by Oscar Sanmartin Vargas.

When Did Kumbaya Become Such A Bad Thing? Well, for me it was school assemblies (school has a lot to answer for). That said, there were far worse songs that we were obliged to sing. I now regret my prejudice.

On Fatphobia, Thin Privilege, And “Eat A Sandwich!”

Herbert James Draper, 1912

Mikhael Subotzky

Ninalee Craig, the subject of American Girl In Italy, discusses the image.

Happy animals: the joy beyond the struggle to survive.

Scientists have been wary of discussing the pleasures experienced by animals, seeing nature as a brutal struggle for survival. But as the similarities in physiology and biochemistry between humans and animals become ever clearer it becomes harder to ignore the joy of life in the wild. Animal behaviour scientist Jonathan Balcombe takes us on a tour of the sunny side of animal life, and argues that a shared capacity for feeling demands a radical shift in our relationship with the animal world.

I’m really looking forward to Womanthology, because I was raised on X-Men (animated series) and have suffered from a weakness for spandex-clad superheroes ever since. I’ve never quite managed to get into reading comics — I have a hard time retaining the information, for some reason — which makes me feel like a bad geek, but the pictures! I can look at the pictures! (I went to Forbidden Planet with a new acquaintance some little while ago — so that he could buy comics — and did exactly that. And fantasised about stealing the Dalek and using it as a getaway vehicle.)

Superhero outfits by Margaret Atwood.

An interview with lesbian Stonewall veteran Stormé DeLarverie.

Aliens may destroy humanity to protect other civilisations, say scientists.

I’ve been pondering the question of fur recently (why? Who knows?). It squicks me, but I really dislike waste as well — so I’ve wondered what I would do with vintage fur if it were given to me. Make the effort to wear it? Or give it a decent burial? And then I discovered Coats For Cubs, an organisation that take donated fur items and use them to keep orphaned animals comfortable. I’m in awe of the brilliance of their brilliant plan, and that’s one hypothetical crisis averted.

An anti-‘perfection’ manifesto on Fit & Feminist.

Leonard Pitts on when justice requires death.

Shakesville reported on research indicating that owning pets is good for you (as we’ve all long suspected, I’m sure). The comments are wonderful & so absorbing that I kept going back to check for more.

Why Iceland should be in the news, but is not.

Journey of an Absolute Rookie: paintings and sketches.

The Daily Mash: Britain expels clever people.

Medieval manuscripts in Dutch collections.

I really want to see this 1965 dramatisation of A Tale Of Two Cities. (Patrick Troughton! Nicholas Pennell! Leslie French! John Wood! Rosalie Crutchley! Ronnie Barker! Jack May! Jerome Willis! Janet Henfrey!) And I don’t even like Dickens! But why, oh why, are there so few old miniseries available? Don’t They know that that’s where (almost) all of my favourite act-ors are? Damn you, BBC — damn your eyes and ‘Od rot your bones.

“The two greatest mannequins of the century were Gertrude Stein and Edith Sitwell — unquestionably. You just couldn’t take a bad picture of those two old girls.”
Diana Vreeland

Martine Franck

The Art of Ryan Medlock. Ryan left some doodled-on napkins in the Art House and they were brilliant (of course we didn’t throw them out!). They’re gorgeous illustrations. My desire to do more illustrationy work is renewed.

Wookiee the Pooh.

The art of Cate Simmons.

A low impact woodland home.

Synergy.

Bitch Media on the spinster detective, esp. Miss Marple. Joan Hickson will always be Miss Marple to me, but I’ll always love the character regardless. (Not if she’s made younger, though; Agatha Christie would be horrified.)

A 1976 interview with Patti Smith.

Graham Oakley! Words cannot express my love of the Church Mice. And Sampson. There’s an interview with Graham Oakley on the Polymath Perspective, and an interview with Arthur & Humphrey here.

A Standing Invitation. Science and politics. Two areas of my knowledge that I need to keep working on.

Breaking Boundaries, a gallery of stories & images of transgender Americans.

I just found out that Timothy Bateson died in 2009 at the age of 83 and I’m so very sorry. I kind of hoped-believed-wished that he would live forever. I don’t tend to blog about my feelings when people pass away, be they personal acquaintances or not, for I have not the words & silence is better than triteness, but I’ve been doing a lot of private mourning for actors this year — namely Nick Courtney, Liz Sladen, Margaret Tyzack and Anna Massey. My grief might be selfish but I loved you all heartfeltly.

I recently rediscovered the Bucket Band‘s Live In Britain album in my collection and I’ve been listening to it a tad bit incessantly. Sadly the one time I saw them busking I had not the confidence to dance in the middle of the street. Let there be a next time.

Sir Terry Pratchett & Dr. Jacqueline Simpson talk about folklore while being generally awesome.

from The Folklore Society

Here’s what happens when security becomes the centre of your life. You can’t travel very far or venture too far outside a certain circle. You can’t allow too many conflicting ideas into your mind at one time as they might confuse you or challenge you. You can’t open yourself to new experiences, new people, new ways of doing things: they might take you off course. You can’t not know who are, so you cling to hard matter identity — you become a strict Christian, a Muslim, a Jew; you are an Indian, Egyptian, Italian, American; you are a heterosexual or a homosexual or you never have sex, or at least that’s what you say when you identify yourself. You become part of an us and, in order to be secure, you must defend against them. You cling to your land because it is your secure place; you must fight anyone who encroaches upon it. You become your nation, you become your religion, you become whatever it is that will freeze you, numb you and protect you from doubt or change. But all this does, actually, is shut down your mind.

Eve Ensler

Matt Jones: Don’t Keep Calm & Carry On

I’m performing tonight with the Djembabes for International Women’s Day. We’ve also been invited to do a performance for the royal wedding. I’m not terribly interested in anything the monarchy gets up to and I’d LIKE to think that they don’t want me to be, but drumming is fabulous & it could prove very entertaining, especially if we dress up. And, after last night’s practice, I really think that djembes + The Proclaimers would = sheer blinding brilliance. With a whole call & response thingie. For serious.

I’ve got photographs from Brownsea Island, where we performed at the weekend. I have yet to upload them all but will publish an account of my adventures soon. There were squirrels & face paint & blasphemy.

I MAY be modelling as Andromeda, based on this painting. (I want to & I have volunteered myself, so hopefully it will go ahead.)

Edward Burne-Jones

The event is a family one, so I’d be draped in some sort of artistic drapery (or so stands the current plan). I foresee cunning use of safety pins. Apart from that I think I just have to pose in front of the painting for a few hours. I can do that. I AM STRONG.

Anyway, onto the stuff I dug up from the internets.

Rugs made out of recycled teddy bears.

The cast of Band Of Brothers plan to jump out of a moving plane to raise money for a memorial in Normandy. I think they’re a bunch of crazy fucking actors and they have my heartfelt admiration & support. I would PROBABLY even join in.

Isabel Stewart Gardner’s travel albums.

The painting of the Forth Rail Bridge, c. 1950.

Hrair Sarkissian will be discussing his work at the Tate Modern on 28 March.

Tom Waits teams up with David Lynch Foundation.

Yes, I am still grieving for Nick Courtney.

I want to see this — although I never was sure about the title. I know I’m late: I always am: I don’t have a TV so there. My main reason for wanting to see it is that it’s a David Simon thing and he is shiny, but I may also be motivated by slight Band Of Brothers withdrawal pangs, having watched that over Christmas. (Really, ALWAYS late.) And it’s a miniseries! There aren’t enough miniseries in the world and they seem to be getting shorter here in the UK; the last couple I’ve seen were both only four episodes long. Shocking!

I think Band Of Brothers withdrawal pangs might have something to do with it, unfortunately. In January I found myself channelling various characters as I walked about town, and last time I watched the opening of Firefly I remarked to Bunso, “This looks rather like Band Of Brothers in space.” Terrible. (But if anyone wants to write some sort of Band Of Brothers space pirate/cowboy alternate universe fanfiction, they have my blessing.) And then at the Art House there was a sign over one of the sinks saying, Sorry, Sink not in use. My reaction? “What’s wrong with Col. Sink and what’s he got to do with the . . . ah.” (In my paltry defence, if the writer of the sign had not capitalised the word sink I would have been fine.) Moral of the situation: never, ever watch Band Of Brothers. It will swallow your brain. I’m praying I’ll be better soon.

I went to a Klezmer ceilidh yesterday, with music by the most wondermous & beauteous London Klezmer Quartet. They tried very hard to teach us traditional Jewish & Russian dances. We tried very hard to learn. I had to save Bunso from falling over.

I would have rather liked it if everyone danced by themselves, but then I’m a hippie loon and I’m used to looking absurd. I’m sure having traditional dances encouraged more people to join in. I have their album. I do recommend.

Also, Klezmer ceilidhs are a brilliant notion. I possibly even prefer them to Celtic ceilidhs. But variety is best.

Martin introduced me to the music of Mr. Scruff. It’s most fantabulous. And he has his own tea! Which I’ve not tried yet because it slips my mind and because I drink gallons of green tea instead (& sometimes coffee, for variety). Anyway, he’s truly a great man. (Martin’s a nifty DJ too. They make me want to learn.)

Nicholas Courtney has passed away at the age of 81. Farewell, sweet Brig, farewell. UNIT is a big part of why I love the Third Doctor era so much, and Nick Courtney is a big part of why I love UNIT so much. Sic transit gloria mundi.

The wonderful thing that is a cathedral built out of trash.

Chevron found guilty of Amazon destruction.

Help Nathan buy Firefly. Browncoats! To work!

Flap anatomy dresses.

Stealth amendment by Virginia lawmakers could eliminate access to first trimester abortions in state.

This is fucking awesome & I am a little bit in love with it. I haven’t watched many videos from the “It Gets Better” campaign, but I made an exception for this one and I’m very glad I did.

Belated, yes, because I had a very tiring Friday. I went to London, listened to lectures at the AOP & perused art exhibitions all day and then in the evening I pottered off to the Art House & danced my stockings off to Keya Bobo. Very worthwhile. Totally exhausting.

Today I’m going off to a folk fiddle session even though I don’t have my fiddle with me. I’m going to go along & listen, and a very lovely gentleman also attending has promised me a shoulder rest that he doesn’t use anymore, providing he doesn’t forget to bring it. (His caveat, not mine.) Godsend. I’ve been putting off buying a new shoulder rest for months; I really want to buy some more sheet music as well. I’m getting a bit bored of invariably playing folk music from the British Isles; I want folk music from around the world now!

I didn’t take a camera to the exhibitions with me — I wouldn’t have been allowed to photograph anything anyway — but here’s some images from them. There’s a NSFW Robert Mapplethorpe in there; ‘ware.

John Stezaker

John Stezaker

John Stezaker

Robert Mapplethorpe

Robert Mapplethorpe

Mischa Richter

Mischa Richter was incredibly lovely & positive & . . . yes. We talked about parallels between Welsh & Portuguese and about publishing. I had a fit of nerves talking to him (yes, the shame). I think I managed not to be too scary with it. He touched my arm, so now my elbow feels flattered.

Mischa Richter

Mischa Richter

I expect everyone knows this already, but Tappin Gofton‘s work is frabjous. They had a copy of this book with them. They had to leave before I could have a look at it. I AM BITTER.

Tappin Gofton

I wanted to have a look at the Camera-less Photography exhibition at the V&A, but I hardly know London & have just about enough sense not to wander off on my own when I’m there. (Usually when I’m getting to know new places, I deliberately lose myself just so that I can find myself again & learn the way around thoroughly. I do not employ this approach in London.) I followed my acquaintances around like a duckling and made it back alive. I am quite relieved.

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I had an slight mishap with my collection of links for Friday. So I’m a little retroactive with my Whirligig. I do persevere.

Vintage photos from the Sydney Police Museum.

LA gay centre lauds 7-year-old’s donation. Eee!

Despite my loyalty to Old Who, I rather like these posters for Doctor Who stories. There’s a voice in my head wondering where the Brigadier is, however.

World Press Photo winners 2010.

Girl gang’s grip on London underworld revealed.

Outta The Black, a Rowland S. Howard fansite. I know very little about Rowland S. Howard (but evidently he was awesome) and only discovered the site because Edie the lovely co-maintainer made suggestions for Band Of Brothers fan videos. But I love Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and Crime & the City Solution so I feel that learnin’ is in order.

Reasoning With Vampires is my new drug. Thanks to this, Mark Reads Twilight and Buffy vs. Edward, I feel thoroughly justified in disliking Twilight even though I haven’t read/watched it. (And thanks to the hilariously bad blurbs on the Twilight books.) Other people have made the sacrifice so that I don’t have to — and it’s very entertaining. <3

Rare (dirty) books for Valentine’s Day. I’m still trying to decide how to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year — in an interesting way, that is, not in a fugly consumerist way. It may well involve baking, browsing the city art gallery and perusing one of the local vintage shops.

I’m giving a drumming performance on Brownsea Island in March. Not solo, never solo — I joined a drumming circle. I’ve been doing some more painting and getting excited about it; I’ve been out singing; and National Storytelling Week was a hoot. Oh, and I might be moving house again.

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