For Yes, Your Humble Scribe Is ANGRY!
Angrier than usual, that is. As we all know by now, 'Angry' is my default setting, though it takes but little to escalate from that into a condition where the red mist comes down and the next thing you know there are bodies strewn across the -
But I digress. Ah, what's this? Faithful Edna is hovering about my feet, which means either she thinks I have food (I do not) or all the others have left The Mansion (it is quiet all of a sudden). If the latter then it's Netflix on the big screen in the lounge!
Back again. Where was I? O yes, being furious at a Codeword solution again. This time it was over "DORSA" which I had to check a couple of times to ensure I really had the letters correct, and of course I did because Conrad is simply that good at Codewords.
Here an aside. It did remind me of that series of science fiction novels by Gordon Dickson under the title of "Dorsai", because my mind makes strange leaps of inter-connectivity like that. Art!
Cover by Anthony Roberts, I believe
I think I've read one, maybe forty years ago and cannot remember anything about it beyond that it was military science fiction of some breed and brand. One quick Google later, it is established that the Dorsai are space-mercenaries. We are now enlightened, and you're welcome.
The thing is, you don't get any clues in a Codeword, so I had to look it up. Nope, not in my Collins Concise. Checking teh Interwebz, it appeared to be the plural of "DORSUM", so back to the Collins Concise. Well, not really a proper definition; it stated that 'Dorsum' is the Latin <hacks and washes mouth out> for "Back". From 'Dorsum' we get 'Dorsal', which is where the RAF's Giant Flying Mallets come in. Art!
Giant Flying Mallet Lancaster Bomber sporting a Dorsal turret
You'd have to be careful when rotating that turret, as you might incautiously shoot those tail fins in half. Perhaps it has a lock in the traverse to stop that from happening?
Hey! I nearly forgot how exceedingly angry I am! Don't try diverting me <mutters darkly>
Okay, that's one hundred brownie points earned by taking Edna Wunderhund for a walk. Back to 'Locke and Key'. Motley! Time to do the Minefield Minuet and don't worry, I have your back.
Murray Walker In Memoriam
For those unfortunates who live beyond the shores of This Sceptred Isle, Murray was an icon thanks to his commentary on Formula One racing for decades. Not a sport that appeals to Your Humble Scribe as it seems to consist of elongated, squat cars whizzing around the same road for hours on end. Still, each to their own.
What the general public are less familiar with is Captain Murray Walker, 2IC of a tank squadron of the Royal Scots Greys during the Second Unpleasantness. Art!
James Holland, of the "We Have Ways ..." podcast, lived just down the road from Murray but could never get him to do a talk about his tank experience, and felt rather gutted about his passing. He pointed out that Murray must have had quite some nous and ability to get to the position of 2IC, which will only ever get realised via third hand testimony.
Let's Have Some Bonestelliness Around Here
If that wasn't a word before it is now, because I say so. If you disagree then THE EXIT DOOR IS THAT WAY.
You remember Chesley Bonestell, right? The famous South Canadian artist who created memorable astronomical paintings? He also did science fiction cover art, including - Art!
New York gets a plutonium pummelling
This was painted in 1948 so it was, of course - obviously! - impossible, as the Sinisters hadn't stolen the atomic bomb design from the South Canadians by then. Nor is such a close pattern realistic or practical, since there is a considerable probability that the first explosion would generate sufficient flash, blast and debris to destroy the second incoming warhead (or bomb). There you go, a little nuclear reality for you.
Egypt getting destroyed by meteors
Hmmmm, he does seem taken with the idea of 'Death From Above', doesn't he?
Death From Below
Hopefully this is mere poetic licence and Your Humble Scribe will be proven wrong. Okay, you remember us banging on about "Prometheus" recently, and that idiot Millburn petting an hideous alien snake? Part of Prom was shot in Iceland, an island nation that seems to consist of all the bits left over when Earth was being designed. Art!
The terrifying Dettifoss waterfall, for example
Of late, Iceland has been having minor earthquakes, to the number of 50,000. Vulcanologists state that this presages a volcanic eruption close to the capital, Reykjavik, and have pinpointed the approximate location. It's not close enough to be dangerous, THEY SAY. Well well, what appeared on the BBC News website but footage at night of said volcano going BANG. Art?
That's the lovely free fireworks display at night, where there's nothing to give a sense of scale. Can we have one by daylight, please?
As you can see, no signs of civilisation present, so nobody's at risk, which we hope stays the same, as otherwise no more Sigur Ros*.
Life From Below
Have I told you that I'm watching "The Dark Knight Rises" again? This is because it's a good film and I've not seen it for years. Anyway, you recall that Conrad was banging on about jodhpurs not that long ago <code for "I can't remember when nor can I be bothered looking" - the horrid truth courtesy Mister Hand!>, and revealed that the name is taken from the Indian city of Jodhpur?
Surprise surprise, part of the Bruce Wayne escaping from a literal hole that is hell were shot in Jodhpur. Art!
That massive structure in the background is the Mehrangarh Fort, for your information.
Standing proud above the blue city
Finally -
We have hit the Compositional Count so I am now off for a delayed lunch. Only we can prevent Bigos!
* This would be a very bad thing.
No comments:
Post a Comment