Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[byronkincaid]

you might like these photos tikay

http://www.greatdanepro.com/Blue%20Beauty/index.htm

[gatso]

prog for you in 1/2 hour on bbc2

Timeshift: Between the Lines - Railways in Fiction and Film
Andrew Martin investigates the ways in which trains have been depicted in literature and on film. Beginning by revealing how they were initially used as frightening symbols of the impersonal machine age, he moves on to such works as E Nesbit's The Railway Children, which show them in a more affectionate light, and explores their cinematic role in The 39 Steps and Brief Encounter

[tikay]

you might like these photos tikay

http://www.greatdanepro.com/Blue%20Beauty/index.htm

Truly awesome - thank you very much.

The sandstorms leaving Africa interested me. I've spent a goodly time in Africa, mostly West Africa, & the frequent sandstorms are something to behold - waking up to find deep sand everywhere. A phenomonal amount of sand must become airborne.

As to the Space Shuttle, & Space Station, well, it may well qualify as a Wonder of the World, as a "fit for purpose" bit of kit - ugly, but totally practical - it's a miracle of our time. But I have no interest whatsover, & have never followed, read up, or been interested in, Man's adventures in Space. I'm highly dubious as to it's value to us here on Earth, (nice pictures, mind), & the financial cost seems positively obscene to me, offensive even. For one thousandth of the "Space Exploration" spend, USA, Russia, & other Space-Travel supportive Nations, could solve most of Africa's chronic problems - wells need digging for water, land needs irrigating for crops, sanitation systems need installing, Hospitals need building, & the root causes of cholera, Aids, malaria, dysentry all need tackling. Money would solve most of them. Oh, & a bullet to Mugabe's head would be a cheap way of rescuing all those wretched Zimbabweans who are starving to death, or dying of cholera, this very day. So I'm not a big Space exploration fan, to tell the truth.

Getting back to those magnificent pictures (yes, I see the irony, they were taken from the Space-Station!), I have a link to the best birdlife pictures I have ever seen, sent to me by a friend yesterday, & I may try & put the Link up here soonest.

Thank you for the "Blue Planet" Link Byron, it was lovely, & please excuse me for my little rant on space-exploration costs. It genuinely upsets me to see so many dying needlessly in Africa because wealthy Nations just don't care, & prefer to waste money on space exploration, & the pictures bought it to the forefront of my mind at just the wrong moment.

[tikay]

prog for you in 1/2 hour on bbc2

Timeshift: Between the Lines - Railways in Fiction and Film
Andrew Martin investigates the ways in which trains have been depicted in literature and on film. Beginning by revealing how they were initially used as frightening symbols of the impersonal machine age, he moves on to such works as E Nesbit's The Railway Children, which show them in a more affectionate light, and explores their cinematic role in The 39 Steps and Brief Encounter

Thanks gatso, I missed it, sadly.

Did it mention a film called "The Titchfield Thunderbolt?", which was possibly the first film I ever saw.

[Acidmouse]

Yes mentioned it and talked about it alot. Watched it  and enjoyed the programme.

[gatso]

Thanks gatso, I missed it, sadly.

on iplayer now so you can watch it online if you want

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00dwflh/Time_Shift_Series_8_Between_the_Lines_Railways_in_Fiction_and_Film/

[tikay]

Yes mentioned it and talked about it alot. Watched it  and enjoyed the programme.

I also went to the Cinema & saw the original "The Railway Children".

[tikay]

Thanks gatso, I missed it, sadly.

on iplayer now so you can watch it online if you want

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00dwflh/Time_Shift_Series_8_Between_the_Lines_Railways_in_Fiction_and_Film/

Thank you.

Now, having been a bit of a wet blanket in reply to Byron (most certainly not to be confused with my gratitude to him for the beautiful pictures), here, on a lighter note, are some pictures from nearer home......

[tikay]

The more I get to know this man, the more I admire & respect him. Proper man, says it to your face, incredibly clever, very resourceful.

He came up to DTD tonight, & I felt all the better for seeing him. It's somehow very re-assuring, especially with so much BTS grief in blonde - if you did but know the half of it! - to have him as a Business Partner. When there's a blonde problem, I always want him around. I first got to work with him really closely in APAT, with Des too, who is another man for whom my respect is boundless.  All three of us, in business & organisational terms, as to the poker world, think almost identically.

But I'm just not sure about that Hoodie, Rich.

[tikay]

The man peering ftom the upper level is well known from my Gala Notts days, & is now a DTD regular, Burglar Kev. He's called that because that's his name - Kev.

Here's Rich, in full Hoodie Mode. Kinboshi, also present this evening, described him as Hobbit-Like, & though I don't know who Hobbit is, it seems unfair on him. Hobbit, that is.

[tikay]

What a lovely picture. Maureen looking so well, everyone smiling. People who smile a lot  - proper, genuine smiles, not sneery smiles - get Bonus Points from me, every time.

I just love this 'photo.

[tikay]

You all know my feelings about this man, so no more need be said.

But he tickled me here - "if I put my hoodie up, & cover up my 'tache, nobody will know it's me".

I'm not sure that kite will fly Tom, though it's entirely possible Ding will think you are a snooker referee.

[AndrewT]

DTD Weekend at Bernie's.

[tikay]

This was the Showdown to a rather memorable hand at DTD in the £300 on Day One.

Memorable, not because it's a very rare Royal Flush, but for the opponents play.

On the end, Oppo bet out, & Royal Flush Man re-shoved big, setting Oppo all in for his Tourney life.

Oppo dwelled for an age.

Now, as scary boards go, it's pretty scary. It contains numerous potential Full Houses, anyone with a Q has the straight, anyone with 2 Diamonds has a Flush. Oh, & someone might have a Royal, but let's discount that.

But our man, holding A-9, could not find a Pass. And that's in a £300 Tourney.

[tikay]

"Birds of The Netherlands & Belgium" is hardly a heading likely to inspire too many of you to click this Link. I genuinely think this is one of the finest collection of birdlife photographs I have ever seen. Birdlovers will adore the exquisite photography, colour, & detail. Non Birdlovers, best to avoid it, probably.

The first pic most of you have seen, the rest are all "new". Use the "Next Picture" clicker thing, top right above the picture.

http://www.birdpix.nl/album_page.php?pic_id=62646&recent=0&db=0