GhostOfClayton
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Blog Comments posted by GhostOfClayton
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GoC, I do understand the adventurous spirit and zeal of exploring the unknown. But maybe it's part of my generation (of Americans, at least), and it seems that many of us are interested, but know that there are so many problems down here that need our attention. And, hey, the tortoise made out pretty well, right?
My thinking was that, in the space-race tortoise/hare metaphor, the USA was the hare, and the Chinese (etc.) the tortoise.
But will those problems ever be solved, one way or the other? The choice seems to be between a 'race of beings with insoluble problems', or a 'race of beings with insoluble problems, that have been into space'.
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I'm very much rooted in the "Star Trek" end of that timespan so, as you've pointed out, my generation very much saw the pushing of the frontiers into space as a sign of mankind advancing and maturing as a species. I'm also in possession of a very adventurous nature, so it's hard for me not to see this (along with the grounding of Concorde and resultant end to supersonic passenger travel) as indications of stagnation.
However, this is a very Americano/Euro/Western-o centric view. The Russians and Chinese are proving that the space race was much more of a tortoise & hare thing and, taking up the mantle that was dropped by the Americans, are continuing to push the envelope space-wise . . . and India is looking promising. Maybe this is the first sign that mankind as a whole is not stagnating after all. It's just that some lights are fading, just as other lights are starting to burn more brightly. We as enthiasts of the Roman Empire should know all about that.
As a footnote, it's great that Mr Branson et al are keeping the light burning for the western hemisphere, but probably wouldn't be saying the same if that role was being undertaken by Rupert or James Murdoch. The thought sends shivers down my spine.
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But if I stop worrying about, I can't blog about it!
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I don't know about Pippa's derriere. She doesn't seem to me to have much of a one at all. Both her and her big sis are a bit 'straight up and down' in that dept (with all respect and deference due to the future queen of the realm).
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Weren't we going to hear more of the interview? I struggled to get to sleep last night through anticipation!
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I witnessed a squirrel falling out of a tree on Saturday. I was sitting in Castle Park in Colchester eating my lunch, and not three metres from me, a grey thing fell perfectly vertically from a tree to land with a significant thump (I was reminded of the Angels in the Lynx advert) and a cloud of dust. It then sat very still, obviously quite stunned for a few minutes, before taking a few tentaive jumps towards the tree trunk. More sitting looking stunned, and then it disappeared behind the tree trunk. I'm not aware of its fait thereafter.
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Now if you had a dog, you would undoubdtedly we its mistress. A cat? I'm not so sure. If you're, for example, putting up a shelf, your dog would be looking at you thinking, "I love you. I don't know what you're doing, but whatever it is, I love you." Whereas your cat would be looking at you and thinking, "you should be using #4 rawl plugs for that job. That won't stay up for two minutes!"
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I'm not sure many of the Brits are that bothered about the Royal Wedding/Family either. The nation's attitude seems to be summed up in one commerative plate that said, "Thanks for the day off".
Still, the Brits who ARE that bothered about the Royal Wedding/Family do seem to redress the balance by being VERY bothered about the lives of their overlords.
Just for the record, I fall fairly and squarely into the 'not really bothered one way or the other' camp.
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Agreed. Just because they're going fast, doesn't make them exciting. That aeroplane you can see high in the stratosphere seems to be crawling across the sky, but it's travelling several times the speed of the F1 motor car.
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I really need to know more about this robot . . . and exactly what the Family Guy ball says. I presume it isn't 'giggity, giggity'.
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They are actually quite endearing. You can't help but like them, even though they're such scallywags!
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Here's wishing the Queen the best of health . . . and not just because we'll get yet another additional Bank Holiday next year, (to celebrate her Golden Jubilee). Two additional Bank Holidays in two years. Mr Cameron must be grinding his teeth!
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When will part 2 come along?
PS I'll admit to indulging in a little Europhilia, as well.
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I sort of agree with Caldrail. Not specifically about the curvacious amazon (however . . . . ) but to say that, although blogging should be strongly encouraged, maybe not quite to the tune of a Kindle.
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Maybe invite all to enter one or more blogs during the month of April, then ask for nominations for best blog, and put it to the vote?
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Maybe for the vegetarians, a decent corn-dog. I don't even know what one of those is. Somehow, I doubt it's what it sounds like it might be (a hot-dog for vegetarians).
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. . . and yet, if you ate a kebab to the libary, the crisp-eaters would stare at you in horror!
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Ah, Doc. What are we going to do with you? Mrs OfClayton tried on a pair of ski boots and had a panic attack due to their slightly claustrophobic feel. So she has always resisted skiing.
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Which languages do you translate, Doc? How much of a polyglot are you?
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I've never skiied Scotland, though I hear 99 percent of the time conditions are pretty poor. No offence to our friends north of the Antonine Wall, but you may feel differently if you give it a try in the Alps.
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Good for you Aurelia, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it - though to be honest, few people are put off after their first go. Equipment-wise, my only advice would be to start with boots, and if you have them professionally fitted, don't accept them if they feel at all tight. Unless you're planning on turning into a super-fast skier, comfort is much more important.
Out of interest, which resort did you ski in?
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Apparently, there was a sod of a lot of snow in the Rh?ne Alps as well, last week. Do you want to know where where I was! Go on . . . I'll give you a clue . . . it begins with R.A.
Back in the UK now, though. Grey, damp, miserable . . . . but enough about me.
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You'll be pleased to know that Mumford & Sons, walked away with British Album Of The Year for "Sigh No More" at the Brit Awards (our equivalent to the Grammys, I suppose).
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Maybe the invisible BMW is there waiting for you - it's just a really, really good invisible BMW.
On an only slightly related note, I had the following conversation with a client last year.
Client: "One of those Stealth Bombers flew over yesterday, did you see it?"
GhostOfClayton: "No"
Client: "Good, aren't they!"
Space Oddity
in The Language of Love
A blog by docoflove1974 in General
Posted
You're right, Caldrail . . . it's a sad truth that nothing seems worthwhile doing unless there's a montery gain to be had at the end of it. That's why Universities are losing so many science degree courses and gaining so many Media, HR, Hospitality, Golf Course Management (etc.) degree courses.
PS Dr. McCoy gets more girls than I used to, let alone Captain Kirk.