Just a little out of synch... because when we arrived home from yesterday evening's National Trust meeting I was simply too tired to write a 'blog-post'.......The group photo from the Southsea holiday went very well. I should have printed more.
The dramatic Picture 1, is anonymousrob's , and I quote him "The picture is from the northern slopes of Mt Etna" . In my opinion the graininess of the film adds atmosphere to a mean and moody shot. Contrary to his own 14/20 assessment I feel that 'judges' would like this.
Later on Reg's 'St Johns Chambers' picture is mentioned. The 'judge' for some weird reason, wasn't enamoured of this great picture. Blogger.com's efficient filing system tells me I published it on 15th February 2008 and should you wish to see it again a few clicks in the Blog Archive column on the left should find it.
Anyway, back to the present. Yesterday evening's National Trust talk was about living and helping in a Ugandan village and offered us a fascinating glimpse of other people's lives. But I was tired out when we got home.The picture on the left is of a 'tatted spider's web' by 4 ticks and what can I say except 'brilliant'. It is rewarding to feel that the blog served as muse.
The original idea, and then the work of creation are truly first rate. By hook/crook etc., we must ensure it gets published somewhere..... I know it is actually being 'published' here - my meanng is somewhere with a wider audience.
Picture 3 is a web under the porch roof and my recent interest in spiders' webs has led me to discover the differences between them.
The picture from a couple of days ago and 4 ticks' version above was the 'garden spider' whereas the circular web in Picture 3 below, seems quite different.
More research necessary I think.
Y's meet-up with Jill, in Peter Jones, was a resounding success. Much chatting, good food, lovely shop. Click here for a page-about and although Y had nothing but praise, some of the reviewers here felt differently. A big adventure though and a helluva day-trip for a lady of mature years.
Commentsreg ...... I don't think any apology is needed for using the blog-comments system to have a good old 'chunter'. Discussing the matter with anonymousrob on the phone I said maybe 'judges read blogs' and he said that most judges wouldn't even know what a computer was, let alone a blog !
In any case, subject to the libel laws and anti-racism legislation, I like people to express forthright straightforward opinions. Honest criticism is miles away from any legal reach.
Some years ago I was worried because I had described (in an article) a Chief Constable as being a 'hypersensitive paranoiac'. My guru Ken Coates reassured me that it was 'common abuse, not libel'. In general terms, it is libel if you accuse somebody of something illegal. If I had called him a 'thief' that would have been libellous. 'Idiot' would have been OK
Jill ............. Thanks for the info about judging 'knittings'. Just the same there then, obviously. Perhaps introducing 'competition' into creative hobbies is simply not a good idea. Competition is fine for longest, tallest, quickest etc., but not for 'most beautiful'.
bungus ...... How pernickety can you get ? Quibbling about the exact placing of a photo-caption. You can stuff the caption up ................... .
Glad you enjoyed the sunflower though. Hope the mouse's problem was sorted. I think I would have been able to get his cute little head back through the hole ..... with a hammer ?
And I willingly confirm that you do understand the foreshortening effect of a telephoto lens.
It is also good of you to point out that the human buttocks is specially designed for 'sitting on the fence'.
anonymousrob ....... Glad that we now have both comments. And your resumé of judges remuneration etc., was necessary. I think the difficulties entailed in attracting people to the 'panel' is the reason for the poor calibre of those we have.
Thanks for your encouragement with the sunflower picture.
Re Reg.s - St John's Chambers - picture. If it doesn't yield to a left-clicking exercise in the Archive column on the left (for 15th February 08) I will, as you ask, republish it.
4 ticks ...... Thanks for all that bird information. The low-down on the sparrows will surely help the questioner to sort his dunnocks from his house-sparrows etc.
I agree completely about the Canada Geese. They are becoming a problem I understand, from 7yr old Miles who is somewhat of an expert.
Quotation time ...... While the following is true, there are many more means these days of giving the brain a gentle touch of the aerobics. Devising 'blog-comments' for instance.
Wednesday, October 08, (how confusing is that?)
ReplyDeleteDIARY
For the first time in some 15 months, I went to the doctors’ surgery on Tue morning and, having become disillusioned with my previous male GP, saw, for the first time, Dr Helen Ward, who Sandra has been going to for years. She was absolutely lovely without raising my blood pressure (which clocked in at a much more reasonable 150/80). But she put me on an extra (different) ‘one-a-day’ tablet anyway, which she warned is somewhat diuretic. I hope I shall be able to stand the excitement. But it should help if you instruct me to 'P off' *.
BLOG COMMENT
Love the 'tatted spider's web'. Truly art & craft, I say, and, as YOU say, deserving of a wider audience..
‘Spiders’ sounds like a subject to interest me, being enamoured of the idea of entomology. I fear however, that the essential illustrations would make me shudder to the pit of my stomach. I can seldom bring myself to touch a picture of a spider (or other arachnid, eg scorpion).
Peter Jones: Visitors views vary – enormously!).
Impression given me is that new (young?) customers like but old (old?) don’t.
Judges are renowned for living in the past - “Who are these Beatles?”
(Yes, I know the technical answer to that apparent ignorance but will leave you to tell it).
I too applaud the expression of Reg’s unequivocal views.
So libel does not include comment which might damage reputation? As ‘idiot’ might, for instance?
Despite all the adverse comment, I would not wish to see an end to competitions. What would there be to disagree with?
My response must be that if a caption is introduced to a picture it becomes a part of the picture and its positioning is therefore as important as any other aspect of composition.
* If you really wish me to follow your instruction, will you kindly keep the captions short and the font size no larger than 12.
How refreshing to discover that you have a vicious streak – at the expense of charming, weak and defenceless creatures too!
Did you, like me, as a child, ever compel Crane Flies to detach their own legs? cut wasps and bees in half with a pair of scissors? fry worms in the lid of tin of Cherry Blossom to see what variety of knots they could simulate? – or, unlike me, blow up frogs and toads with a straw?
Your words of support and encouragement are much appreciated.
I suspect that the buttocks of most mammals are suited to indecision.
Re the Quotation: I would include Crosswords in the ‘mental exercise’ list and understand that Bingo and Sudoku are also recommended.
Rob:
Glad you saved your unpublished comment in Word (see response below); I have long thought it a useful precaution.
Yes, poor Stags. They have an excuse in that things were still so unsettled at the start of the season that if they hadn’t fielded ineligible players they probably would not have had an eleven!
And things got worse on Tues night. According to Radio Nottm, they dominated the first half against Stevenage but went into the break a goal down, scored in TAO. Having gained the lead in the second half they lost 2 more goals late on, the second, apparently, the fault of the custodian of the onion bag. Stevenage 3, Stags 2.
County now seem to be on a bit of a roll but Forest just cannot win a match despite apparently playing better than the opposition.
I believe Panthers continue their successful run.
Haiku / Like you.
If you ever see advertised a post ‘Devil’s Advocate’, stick your name down.
I think you argue both sides so very well that it is hard to judge a winner (and no one would thank me if I did, would they? which should, of course, according to my old English teacher, be ‘would he or she’. )
I think ‘snap judgement’ and ‘humourectomy’ should become essential clauses of photographic judges’ contracts.
4 TICKS:
I suggest that Canada Geese are less of a nuisance to the town dweller or suburbanite than Collared Doves (although the latter don’t bother me unduly.
Mice never hurt anyone.
Robins, however, are vicious creatures, prone to attacking other birds.
From what you say, the birds that I have always thought to be Sparrows are, in fact,
Sparrows.
A lateral thought – there is no call for you to paint sunflowers, they look nice enough without it.
‘Gilding the lily’ comes to mind.
In the absence of uor bird expert who is sunning? himself by his caravan.
ReplyDeleteDunnock-Superficially like a sparrow but with a fine bill. Spent much time creeping about the ground.
Tree Sparrow like a small neat House Sparrow looks to me as the main diffeance to us non experts is the dunnock has a finr pionted beak and the sparrow has the larger thick beak
info Birds of Britain and Europe Hammond and Everett. 1980 edition don't suppose thet much has changed
I would say that a Dunnock (or Hedge Sparrow or Accentor) looks like a female house sparrow, i.e. they don't have the black caps and are browner/greyer birds. Canada Geese are a nuisance at the lake at our local stately home, this year the eggs on their nests have been pricked so they don't hatch (great concern in local paper) but one lot eluded them, there were nine goslings......
ReplyDeleteLoved the tatting picture, is it up on the wall at home? I don't know if there is a tatting magazine in the UK, if not there is probably an American one, am sure there are forums etc.
The PJones comments are three years old, this goes back to when the store re-opened properly after complete gutting and refurbishment, it does look very different. I like it, the escalators going up the central atrium (which extends to six floors) work to my mind. Some staff are much better than others, but isn't that always the case?
Going to watch Paul Merton on his Indian journey - I like his sense of humour.....
Taking a bow for the words of appreciation regarding the tatting.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks each. Where do you suggest I put the tatting to be seen by a wider audience?
Must, carefully study closely, the latest web pic., spider's of course. The method of weaving is quite intriguing.
RG. Our phone is working properly again, I think. Pleased I have my mobile one for emergency use.
Have spent today baking Apple Cakes. One this morning and another this afternoon. Used 2 different recipes and both look delicious. Can't wait for tomorrow to come so we can cut into one and taste it. Pop in if you're passing and try a bit.
Hate big shopping centres, I tend to feel hemmed in and having to dodge people travelling in the opposite direction is a nuisance. It seems to work better when walking outside on a pavement. I feel happier in a small shop and even better when I know the shop assistants. (Did you read some of the comments on that Peter Jones thing? Ooer!
Small creatures, hmm, my brother had a pet mouse once. The thing I remember most about it was the smell. Yuk. The village lads used to boast about blowing up frogs etc. but we never saw any of them actually do it. There's nothing nicer than to be awakened at 5am. on a beautiful sunny morning, by a pair of collared doves, lovingly, 'Croo-crooing', to each other on the roof. I consider it the most soothing of sounds.
Bungus.
Pleased you got your sparrows sorted.
Sunflowers, in my opinion, don't last long enough and I can't think of anything nicer than to capture the beauty of them and hang it on the wall to serve as a cheery reminder through the long winter months.
Rob.
Not sure I'd like to be that close to a volcano. Mountains make the hair on the back of my neck stand on end just looking at them. Heaven knows how I'd have felt if I had been there.
Jill.
When I was 11 years old I made my first paper cutting pattern for sort of dressmaking at school. It was a kind of apron which doubled as a bag in which to keep our sewing lesson stuff. I also designed and worked an embroidery pattern as a decoration. Father, to cut a long story short, entered it in the needlework section at Penistone Show and it was awarded 4th. place. If I'd known he was going to do that, I'm sure I'd have paid a lot more attention to what I was doing. But hey! he never went there again.....
I did win competitions for my singing though. When you're so small, the shortest kid in the class, it boosts your popularity.
Competitions, I'm all for them. It's not the winning.....