Welcome to Spiffo-Space

Yeah I Know

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 19:50:50 +0800

Nothing much happening here for a while ... life has been too - um - exciting. But new posts coming soon.

Must get a make-over first though.

Mmmm - crisps!

So What’s Up With Jakka?

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 20:25:37 +0800

Jakka had failed twice at adoption. The first adoption involved a chicken and an unhappy ending for a chicken. Jakka got returned the next day. Then he was adopted again and returned a little over a month later. I’m still unsure of the whole story from his second adoption. He lost some confidence, was feeling very insecure and then he lands at my feet. Kerry, from our local GAP (Greyhounds As Pets WA), rang with a proposition; she knew I was (kinda) interested in a second dog and suggested I foster Jakka to help him get is confidence back and maybe consider adopting him. We’re calling it ‘fostering’ but it’s obvious I’ve failed at being a foster. He and Cami get along too well and within a couple of days I could see a world of difference in him; so he stays.

Cami, within minutes of him coming into the house, clearly marked herself as ‘THE BITCH’ and Jakka seemed, right away, to realise that she was in charge. They get along well. They play, they’re polite at meal times and I can see them becoming good mates. They walk on lead beautifully together.

Jakka is a stressed dog though. Some times his breath is short & shallow, he whines and sings, he gets anxious, doesn’t like me going anywhere without him. Jakka is lacking in confidence. None of this seems all that serious to me and I can see an improvement every day in his general well-being. He eats well and poops well. Has lots of dreams. Enjoys his walks, play-time, cuddles and treats.

I’ve got a Dog-Appeasement-Pheromone (DAP) diffuser going which I think is helping. On their way from the USA are a couple of Thunder Shirts, for both Jakka and Cami. Meanwhile I’m just using common-sense and giving him time to really settle in.

I’ve chatted to his original Foster-mum Bobby. We had a good talk and I learnt a lot about Jakka; enough for me to know that it will just be a matter of time for him. Bobby is moving to the other side of Australia and is already taking two dogs with her (a Greyhound and a Great Dane) and was prepared to take Jakka with her if need be. I think he’ll be fine here. Cami is a great older sister for him. He’s got lots of love and affection, good people around him and plenty of space to become a great Greyhound. But then they’re all great.

Jakka’s First Week

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 13:29:40 +0800

Well one week on and Jakka seems to be settling down quite well. Walking two Greyhounds is no more difficult than walking one to be honest, although there must be moments when it looks like a bizarre rhythmic gymnastics routine. There haven’t been any arguments in the house, playtime outside is frenetic-fun if slightly fearsome, while the bed hop is a sight to behold. Jakka has considerably more stamina than Cami and needs a bit more exercise so they walk together in the mornings and have separate walks in the evening. Cami has taken a new dog in her stride; she quickly asserted herself as ‘house-bitch’ and ‘not-to-be-messed-with’, Jakka seems happy with that arrangement.

Jakka had a big outing when we joined Miss Beth + bloke and her dog Jack for a wander through Jorgensen Park up in the hills behind Perth; a rather good place for a walk. We saw some grey Kangaroos and plenty of birds, no snakes thank goodness.

Cami will get an outing on her own soon. I need them to understand that they’re going to get separate outings. I admire the people than can zap off a few great photos but it takes me all my time just to get the bloody phone out of my pocket in time to catch a cute moment, or stand still long enough to compose a nice landscape shot. I tend to get lost in the moment, easy to do with a Greyhound encouraging you on.

Cami’s New Little Brother

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 12:28:17 +0800

His name is Akka, but we’ve added a ‘J’ so now he’s Jakka. (race name Credible Times). He’s younger than Cami and had a bit of a rough time but within a couple of days he’s settled down nicely. More news on him soon.

Morning Visitors - A Pair of Blue-Tongues

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 12:17:05 +0800

Cami Greyhound - “I Go Fast!”

Sun, 17 Oct 2010 00:07:47 +0800

GAP at the Perth Royal Show

Tue, 5 Oct 2010 21:02:07 +0800

Every year Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) occupy a tent at the Perth Royal Show to expose show-goers to a variety of amazing hounds. It was at the show a few years ago that I first fell in love with them and ended up adopting Go Joe Go (aka Schniff). This year Cami and I did a turn on the last day of the Show. It was great fun. We met heaps of people and helped demonstrate that Greyhounds do make great pets. Cami loved all the attention. Here are a couple of photos from the day.

And Cami is on Twitter too; follow her @CamiGreyhound

Bloody Politicians (Especially Tasmania’s Premier)

Tue, 5 Oct 2010 20:31:52 +0800

So the Tasmanian Premier, David Bartkett, thought it would be fun to be part of a syndicate that raced a Greyhound called Toolong Terror. I bet he’s rethinking that now. I won’t go into the whole sorry-story aside from saying that one would expect an elected official to consider his actions a little more carefully. Toolong Terror was scheduled to be euthanised and were it not for the efforts of Emma Haswell he would not be alive today. Well Toolong Terror caused a bit of stir last week in Tasmanian politics. The various news links, my letter to him and his response are on a separate page for your reading pleasure (link below). Seems the Premier got himself involved in all sorts of troubles.

Thank heavens for people like Emma Haswell and Greens MP Kim Booth who respectively saved a Greyhound and exposed an unthinking Premier. I’d like to call him a prick but I’m way too polite to do that.

If you, or someone you know, are involved in a Greyhound Racing Syndicate, spare a thought for what happens to your racer when its racing days are over. In passing the various Australian Greyhound Racing Associations all support and directly fund the Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) Programmes that operate in every State (including Tasmania).

*My letter to Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett & ‘his’ response + News Links

Thanks to my Twitter & Facebook mates who messaged the Tassie Premier to give him a serve.

Greyhounds are a secret to share.

The Future Of Fashion

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 11:51:01 +0800

I so want the outfit that the futuristic gent is wearing at the end of the clip.

PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:52:54 +0800

Each year, more than 4 million dogs end up in shelters and breed rescue organisations. Pedigree created The PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive to help shine a spotlight on the plight of these homeless dogs.

This year the PEDIGREE Adoption Drive is raising awareness for homeless dogs by donating a bowl of food to shelter dogs for everyone who becomes a “Fan” or “Likes” The PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive on Facebook. So far more than 1 million bowls have been donated.
For each blog that posts about the PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive through September 19th, PEDIGREE® will donate a bag of their new Healthy Longevity Food for Dogs to shelters nationwide. It’s simple: Write a post, help a dog.

From Thursday Sept. 16th through Sept. 19th, go to Life With Dogs Blog and leave the link to your blog post so it can be counted. Too easy!

Better still adopt a dog. No home is complete without a fur-friend. Greyhounds are a secret to share.

Spiffo’s Boiled Pineapple Fruitcake

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 20:58:16 +0800

This is an old, old family recipe handed down over the generations, Spiffo-ised for the modern age. It is so simple even I can bake it without fear of mucking it up. Feel free to add your own variations and if you bake it please let me know how it goes. My conversions to non-metric are a bit basic. You don’t need to be too worried about the actual amounts. I’ve added more or less fruit depending on what’s in the cupboard. You can also experiment by substituting different things for the diced apricots and mixed peel. I would NOT recommend adding Prunes. But I’ve done it with figs and that was different.

You will need;

Ingredient Set #1
*1x 450 gram (16oz) can of Crushed Pineapple in Syrup (I recommend the Golden Circle brand)
*125 grams (4.5 oz) of butter (real butter and if you can get the Danish Organic even better)
*375 grams (13 oz) of mixed fruit (you can use pretty much any mixed fruit but look for a good brand like Angus Park, they’re Fruit Medley is rather good)
*200 grams (7oz) diced apricots (again Angus Park are great)
*200 grams (7oz) of mixed fruit peel (yep you guessed it, Angus Park)
*1 cup of raw sugar
*1-2 teaspoons of Mixed Spice (you have some leeway here depending on your taste)
*1-2 teaspoons of All Spice (you have some leeway here depending on your taste)
*Vanilla (ok this is optional & you can go the real deal with a vanilla pod or essence - add to taste)
*2 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda
*Pinch of salt (a generous pinch & don’t leave it out!)

Ingredient Set #2
*1 cup of plain flour
*1 cup self raising flour
*2 egg yolk
*3 egg whites
*18cm (7”) square cake tin (or two 9cm rectangular ones - use non-stick)
*Some extra butter for greasing the tins (even though you’re using a non stick cake tin)

Optional Ingredient Set #3
*Brandy (a fruity brandy is best)

Bung all of Ingredient Set #1, except the Bicarb of soda, into a large pot (a nice big one) over a moderate heat on the stove top. Combine them gently with a wooden spoon and raise the heat to boiling point. Once the mixture is boiling, add 1 teaspoon of bicarb of soda, stir frantically, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, gently stirring all the time. Just before you turn the heat off add the other teaspoon of Bicarb of soda and stir frantically. Allow to cool. This can take an hour or two. Just time for you to sample Ingredient Set #3.

Once the mixture has cooled, whisk the 2 egg yolks and stir into the mixture. Sift the cup of plain flour and cup of self raising over the mixture and stir well. Whisk the 3 egg whites and gently fold through the mixture.

Grease your non-stick cake tin with a generous amount of butter and bung in your cake mixture.

Cook in a pre heated oven at 160-170 C (320-340 F) for at least 1 hour, but you may need longer if your oven isn’t fan-forced. Test the cake by sticking a knife into the centre. You’ll know it’s done if the knife comes out clean. My advice is check it after 1 hour and then if it needs longer keep an eye on it. I’ve used some ovens that require and hour and a half. As long as your oven isn’t too hot and you keep an eye on it you won’t burn it, well not unless you’ve over indulged in the sampling of Ingredient Set #3, in which case you won’t care that you’ve burnt it.

While it’s resting you may add the optional Ingredient Set #3. Just pour small amount of brandy over the top while the cake is cooling. Be gentle and don’t over do it. You need to allow time for the Brandy to sink in. You may repeat this if you wish.

Once the cake has cooled invert your cake tin and gently tap the bottom, hopefully it will slip out.

I keep mine wrapped in tin-foil, in a cake tin. It never seems to last very long though. You may ice the cake, or decorate with marzipan thingys, if that’s your want.

Keep it in an air-tight container.

Voila.

Below are some gratuitous product placements.

... & She sits!

Sat, 4 Sep 2010 15:34:07 +0800

A Greyhound’s anatomy makes it difficult for them to sit in the way your average dog does. There are always exceptions and Cami does it with aplomb.

Yes I know my backyard is a bit overgrown.

This post is really just an excuse to bung up some photos. Photographing black hounds isn’t easy though.

To Paris With Love (& Who You Meet Along The Way)

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:41:19 +0800

No Black Friday here. In fact Thank God It’s Friday because Donna Summer’s new single is here just in time for a weekend of ... well I’m not quite sure yet but Clayton is on his way up with the platforms. But that’s not what I’m writing about.

Thursday lunch time (West Australian time) Donna Summer’s new single (To Paris With Love) became available on iTunes. So I knew it was coming thanks to my lurking on the Donna Summer Delphi Forum (the only place for the discerning Diva Fan). It’s what happened next ... Logging onto the Forum I was suddenly part of a conversation taking place in real time all over the world as different time zones discovered the treat of treats was available (almost) everywhere simultaneously. We shared impressions, search tips for those that couldn’t find it in the online store and generally chatted about our common link. Then we all started swapping Facebook Profiles and in one extraordinary night a whole bunch of people got to know each other a little more and we all got a little closer. Strange what one song can do. Even more, the power of the internet that brings us all together, not in a clinical computer way, but in a surprisingly intimate, honest and revealing way.

I should add, what a strange bunch we all are too, with one link; a liking for a singer called Donna Summer. I met people from Brazil, Cuba, USA, UK, Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Thailand and on and on ...

Another thing this has to one of the rare times that a contemporary release of a song hasn’t been leaked to the internet before it gets to iTunes.

And as for the song ... it’s Donna Summer, she could sing the phone book and it would be great.

XpS

Love To Love You

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:11:51 +0800

Just as the blackness seems so black there is light.

Now I’m not serious, but, it does seem that whenever life gets a bit ... you know ... shite ... my Diva sends an aural massage my way.

This time her sentiments are obvious.

The new single is pure disco-house with a cascade of Summer vocals, just what I need about now.

Donna Summer
To Paris With Love
written by D Summer & B Roberts
produced by Peter Stengaard

www.DONNASUMMER.com

Feminine Wiles

Mon, 9 Aug 2010 18:49:54 +0800

Just a quick update:

Schniff was a big quiet & gentle lad - Cami is a wild energetic vocal female Greyhound with a keen sense of her feminine wiles and how to use them. Cami came to us a few weeks ago. I’d read a lot about how a companion dog might help Schniff deal with his illness. Well it worked remarkably well. Even though Schniff only knew Cami for a couple of weeks before succumbing, those weeks were great for him. They got on right from the outset. Within a day they were sharing doggie-beds. Schniff certainly enjoyed the company, spent more time outside. His appetite improved as well. It’s just a shame that he didn’t live longer. Cami was weird for a couple of days after he’d gone; sensing the mood of the house had changed no doubt. But she took it in her stride and has adapted to being an only dog well.

More soon (I’m working on a slight re-gig of the site to account for recent and ‘future’ developments).

RUN IN PEACE Schniff

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:38:39 +0800

Schniff (aka Go Joe Go)
24 Feb 2001 - 28 July 2010
Run In Peace my big black lad.

Life, Hounds & Blah

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:15:55 +0800

Yeah well my commitment to the whole ‘Blog’ thing was always dubious but I haven’t added anything for ages so ... in brief.

Life has intervened. Schniff has been diagnosed with kidney disease. Bugger! He’s not well and back & forth to the Vet. They are great and we’re all doing our best, but I’m sad about it.

We’ve also got a new addition, Cami. A three year-old female. She’s small, cute and very endearing. She’s been a big help keeping Schniff’s spirits up and his appetite.

Plus the 2010 Knights finally had their way with me so I’m not working at Merde anymore. But that’s letting me do things that I haven’t done in a while. And I’m quite enjoying it (more later maybe).

So with new work, a new hound and a high care hound, plus so much good TV to watch it’s a bit hard to get excited about the ‘Blog’ thing. So faithful reader (thank-you for your email) here is something new, for what it’s worth.

I still like a letter (or Medium Crash & A Gratuitous NZ Bash)

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:06:45 +0800

I got a letter today. A real letter, in an envelope, hand written, on nice paper. What a treat. I got a painting today too. And an email. Other stuff happened too, it’s not like I’m starved of exciting, dynamic and happening things going on and going down but these three things all involved nice surprises, the rest felt like constipation. Well not all of it. I can now say, with confidence, “Oh, mi dispiace vomitato nella l’aiuola!” thanks to a very patient Italian teacher.

My mixed media art work is standing up nearby, can’t decide where to put it yet. It glows, even in a dull autumnal evening. Island in the Sun by Riche Robertson.

My letter was from an old university friend, undergraduate days (don’t remember much about them to be honest), remember the friend very well and the letter reminded me about so much more. A real letter ... handwritten ... on paper, posted and delivered by a man on a motorcycle who usually only delivers bills. There were a couple of photos, and lots of handwritten words.

So note, letter writing is good.

My highlight email (among all the usual) was from Dr Lala, who is back in New Zealand for ... a while. Anyway it got me thinking about the rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, mostly on the sports field but I like to think there is a competitive camaraderie between our two Island Nations that runs deep and knows no bounds.

New Zealand is a pair of tiny Islands off the coast of Tasmania (or Van Diemen’s Land) somewhere near Antarctica. It’s cold, they ski and they have sheep. They even have The Big Sheep Building of Tirau Waikato (see below) and The Big Sheepdog Building of Tirau Waikato (see below even more below). It is regularly rinsed. It has hot springs and volcanoes and everyone plays rugby.

I resisted the urge to write a real letter, on real paper, because I know Dr Lala is moonlighting in a local shop, for local people, but I’m not sure of the address. So I replied via the electronic-mail safe in the knowledge that NZ is connected to the world-wide-web, for part of each day anyway, I said,

“... NZ isn't in the news at all here. Not a jot, nope, oh some quick thing one night about whales and then ... nada, nothing, where is it?
Oh except,
and this isn't news more lifestyle-torture-TV but I watched - all of it ...
NZ, well the Auckland Tower Bungee jump thingie (or was it Wellington), anyway was on The Fattest Loser. They made all the fat people bungee jump off the big tower, except for one poor kid who was only 18 but too fat for the bungee cord. I felt sorry for him, he cried and I felt his pain, he was the only one who really joined in the Maori war-chant-dance-happening-freeform-haka and he really wanted to jump off that tower. It was dreadful and even the NZers walking by looked embarrassed. Then there was all sorts of Maori stuff, then some chef and Maori veggies, some rugby shite with retired players, running and jumping in nice NZ scenery (which you do lovely by the way) then sheep ... you get the idea. I thought of you though, throughout.”

Keep in mind I am currently lugubri-ating in Perth, the most remote capital city on the planet and I can only cast these stones because I’m about as far as you can get from anywhere.

I don’t know what I’m going to write in my reply letter, on paper.

There, I blogged. References to The League of Gentlemen are coincidentally on purpose.

Men in Kilts

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:00:59 +0800

Seems that a visit to the Colosseum isn’t what it used to be. The Scots have invaded. No they’re not trying out for Gladiator School - they’re supporting the Scottish Rugby Team playing some Italians this weekend. I just hope our notorious pair, Dot & Sam don’t find themselves in the scrum - although these two look like they could handle a tackle or two from our Girls.

Please note that Dot, being a Scots lass, already knows whats under the kilt but Sam had quite a surprise.

Spiffo’s tip: when asked “what is worn under the kilt” always reply “nothing is worn, it’s all in perfect working order”.

I Need Fags - But How Do I Get Them

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:22:53 +0800

It’s 3 in the morning and my phone vibrates with a message from Sam -

“I need fags - but how do I get them?”

Seems Dot has retired (well passed out really after a few too many) and Sam is alone in Venice with limited language skills and a desire that just has to be satisfied. Mind you I completely misunderstood what sort of Fags she was after so I don’t think my advice helped at all. I did think it a bit strange given Sam’s now a single and VERY available woman of the world.

Rest assured though, she managed to get some!

Dot (& Sam) On The Run

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:41:49 +0800

Dateline: Italy Feb 2010.

I tried to warn Italy, by fax, by email, by carrier pigeon, but they must have all been at Carnival because there was no sign of Italian Security or Interpol when Dot and Sam arrived in Venice earlier this month. Since then these two notorious shoppers have been criss-crossing the country buying ‘fat-leg’ boots, saucy underwear (for me apparently) and bothering local Italian lads and Priests alike.

Even the usually security-conscious Swiss Guard at the Vatican let this notorious pair chase Priests unhindered, all the time sipping cocktails and laughing hysterically.

From Venice to Rome to Pompeii and all points in between this pair have proven that travel is best accomplished with a Tequila Sunrise in hand. But they’re clever these two, they never stay in one place too long and now Italy is safe again as they make their way towards the UK. Something tells me that they won’t go so unnoticed by the UK Security Forces, especially if my latest warning-fax is read by someone.

If you see this pair - stay clear - but if you’re caught in their sights you have little choice but to offer them a drink and be prepared.

The scary thing is - Dot is my boss!

More updates as they become available ...

Admission

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:37:12 +0800

I’ve been a bit lazy when it comes to doing anything on this site for a while - pardon me, real-life happens - back soon.

Another Moment on Planet [Market] Earth

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:01:18 +0800

Twitter does something remarkable ... I think.

Happily enjoying my bread and circus I’m interrupted by the world, our world and something is happening on its other side, in England.

On Twitter I notice @Colvinius (Mark Colvin ABC PM - radio current affairs) getting all excited by two Twit-tags #carterruck and #trafigura. Now I know Trafigura as one of the ‘new’ global energy companies (and who knows what else given how these corporations deploy themselves on Market Earth). I’ve also heard the rumours about the dumping of waste, deaths in Côte d'Ivoire and so forth.

What I didn’t know was that Lawyers Carter & Ruck were retained by Trafigura to appeal to the English Court for an injunction against ‘the media’ to stop any publication of the allegations against Trafigura but also against ‘the media‘ reporting a question asked by an elected British Member of Parliament in the House about that injunction. I do know it now.

I think this is a pretty major development in the ongoing evolution of our world; commercial concerns overriding the reporting of an elected House of Government. Is this the end of the world?

A quick leak and suddenly Twitter is alive with the Trending Topics #carterruck and #trafigura. Blogs are signposting the events across the web pointing interested readers to a plethora of articles, commentaries and so on, and so on. Then almost as quickly Victory is proclaimed by the Editor of the Guardian @arusbridger, #carterruck seemingly drop their action and the question is published and reported in The Guardian and elsewhere. Indeed a victory for the worthy notion of the ‘freedom of the press’ (a reinforcement of the original battle fought by John Wilkes 1725 - 1797 in England to report Parliament).

But what victory when a Court indulges a commercial concern (however corporate-d it is) and silences the reporting of a House of Parliament, an elected House, however imperfect but still an elected House. God save the Queen because I fear nothing will save journalism (in the long run).

Mind you all this only happened over the past hour or so (for me) and maybe I’m just in an apocalyptic mood.

The Story about Trafigura is just one of the many about deplorable actions by large faceless and seemingly uncontrollable Corporations. My Superfund probably invests in some of those companies, the food I eat comes from them, the petrol I buy, the products I crave, the system I support ... oh dear ... off for a whiskey. If you dig too deep you want to go live on an island (although you can’t because they’re all Club Meds, but they do have Bars and Discos plus Buffets).

Vale Barry Letts (1925 - 2009)

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:08:48 +0800

The way I figure it Doctor Who just wouldn’t be, without Barry Letts. During its 1960s black & white days it had always been a children’s show. Barry Letts changed all that. He made it more contemporary, reflective of current events and he pushed the boundaries of what could be done on TV. Letts’ first story (Spearhead From Space, 1970 - the one with the Autons crashing out of the shop front windows) was hit by industrial action but rather than flinch he simply recorded the whole show on location and on film bypassing any problems at BBC Television Centre and creating the best possible introduction for the new Pertwee Doctor and the Doctor’s first adventure in colour.

Barry Letts gave us The Three Doctors a masterstroke of a 10th Anniversary Celebration which reunited all three Doctors (Hartnell, Troughton & Pertwee) in an epic story with some rather edible-looking jelly monsters. He defined UNIT and the ‘earth-exile’ years. He gave us a really bright companion (Liz Shaw), then a platform-shoe capable blonde (Jo Grant) and finally the ultimate companion for the Doctor, an emancipated journalist (Sarah Jane Smith). Barry Letts also gave us the one with the giant maggots, an environmental story long before it became de rigeur to care about the biosphere.

There’s no mistake that much of the current rejuvenated series has its roots in the 1970s. Barry Letts and Phillip Hinchcliffe are the two producers often held in highest esteem by aficionados of the series. Letts is unusual in that he produced, he wrote and he directed episodes. His involvement with the show continued after it’s 1989 cancellation. In the 1990s he reunited the Pertwee Unit team for two BBC Radio productions (The Paradise of Fear & The Ghosts of N-Space) and over the years has written numerous Who related novels and audio plays. Letts also gave freely of his time to Doctor Who conventions and BBC Worldwide producers of the DVD range. Letts’ remarkable memory has afforded fans of the show countless anecdotes and curious remembrances. Letts was working on the final words for his autobiography as he passed away.

Barry Letts was a part of the all-star Doctor Who team. It is widely held, and arguable fact, that the 1970s were the golden decade for Doctor Who. The move into colour together with a conscious effort on behalf of the production team and writers to attract children and adults to the show had cemented it as a British television institution that spanned generations, something no other show has done.

Barry Letts died today Oct 11, 2009. Vale.

An iTunes Revelation - Apple Lossless Format

Thu, 8 Oct 2009 16:55:21 +0800

The other night I got curious about ripping a CD into iTunes using the Apple Lossless format rather than either MP3 or AAC(MP4).

Well pull my ear lobes.

I’d forgotten music could sound so good, so rich, with so much depth and presence. If you have albums you love then (as one great Australian Music Guru would say) “do yourself a favour” and re-rip your CDs into your iTunes library, but before you do, go to iTunes Preferences and select Apple Lossless in the Import Format box thingy. You’ll be aurally amazed.

Six, seven years ago when I first started to rip into iTunes from my CDs, 128kbps, in either MP3 or AAC(MP4) format, was considered the norm; the best compromise between audio quality and size limitations. About two years ago as 256kbps become the new norm I started to upgrade some of my iTunes purchases and re-ripped a select group of my all-time favourite CDs back into my library.

I have a hotch-potch of 128kpbs 256kbps and 320kbps MP3 and AAC(MP4) files in my collection which reflects the amount of HD space I’ve had to house the iTunes library through time (ok the past 7 years). Then recently I started ripping my own DVDs into my iTunes library; just things to watch late night in bed via Frontrow, or dump onto pod or phone. Ripping DVDs turned what was a manageable 150 GB library into an 900 GB monster (growing by the day). By the way adding 15 ‘classic’ CDs in Lossless format grew the library by 8 GB. Certainly not for the storage challenged. Note to self get a 2TB HD.

I guess ripping video/DVDs into my library and making the head-space switch to housing my library on an external 1TB hard drive has made me less concerned about the size of files and the library overall. I’m selective and changeful about what moves onto and off-of my pods/phone and have a cut down version of the library on my laptop. Given my iTunes library now resides on its own Hard Drive that sits on my WiFi network I can get to it from anywhere (even Roebourne) All of this is so ... fantastic, for someone who remembers the joy of a ‘Walkman’ in 1980.

So I figure I’ll be opening that long-closed linen cupboard, the one with all my CDs in it, and having some fun deciding what to re-rip.

When I got my first iPod it necessitated the ‘ripping’ of my entire CD collection. OK not huge by some standards but I had close to 800 CDs. I spent a three week period ‘ripping’ them with my trusty iMac, the one with the monitor coming out of a white bulb, very sci fi and one of my fav designs. It did get very monotonous, more so because a lot of what I had at the time needed to have track names and what not added manually; the online music databases weren’t nearly so exhaustive back then ... ha back then - less than 10 years ago ... my how time flies.

Bing - another album ripped in Lossless format. I’ll bet you by 2013 we’ve got so much memory on our devices the idea of compression will seem ludicrous.

I like the idea of having a physical library too. I still buy books and DVDs/BluRay and from time to time I’ll pick up a music CD. This wee burst of Lossless re-ripping reminds me why it’s important to still buy a CD - quality. You can downsample but never upsample; a good reason to support your favourite artists by buying their work to get it at the best possible quality.

How do you use your iTunes library, or if you don’t use iTunes what do you use to manage your media in the digital sphere?

Polari - Polare - Polaree

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:56:31 +0800

Polari is a key-word substitutional slang once used in the theatrical, arts & gay community. It is rarely used today although some individual word-substitutions survive.

Polari is commonly thought to have had its roots in the late 1880s & early 1900s theatrical circles of the UK as an exclusive queer-slang. Being a friend of Aunt Dorothy hasn’t always been so widely accepted so chums would use a series of words that served to confuse the uninitiated and communicate absolute clarity to anyone in the know.

Polari was made known to the masses via the outrageous radio show ‘Round The Horne’ (1965-68) where Kenneth Williams & Hugh Paddick created characters Julian & Sandy; purveyors of polari. Even now, over 40 years later these sketches remain hilarious; well if you like that sort of thing.

I can’t even remember where I found this basic list of polari substitutions. When I can reference it properly I will.

The Basic Polari Lexicon

basket: the bulge of male genitals through clothes
batts: shoes
bijou: small
bod: body
bold: daring
bona: good
butch: masculine
camp: effeminate
capello: hat
carts/cartso: penis
chicken: young boy
charper: search
cod: naff, vile
cottage: public lavatory
cottaging: having or looking for sex in a cottage
crimper: hairdresser
dish: an attractive male; buttocks
dizzy: scatterbrained
dolly: pretty, nice, pleasant
drag: clothes, esp. women's clothes
eek: face
ends: hair
esong: nose
fantabulosa: wonderful
feele: child
fruit: queen
gelt: money
handbag: money
hoofer: dancer
jarry: food, also mangarie
kaffies: trousers
khazi: toilet
lallies: legs
latty: room, house or flat
lills: hands
lilly: police (Lilly Law)
luppers: fingers
mangarie: food, also jarry
measures: money
meese: plain, ugly
mince: walk (affectedly)
naff: bad, drab
nanti: not, no
national handbag: dole
nishta: nothing, no
oglefakes: glasses
ogles: eyes
oomska: scum, filth
omi: man
omi-polone: effeminate man, or homosexual
onk: nose
orbs: eyes
palare pipe: telephone
palliass: back (as in part of body)
park: give
plate: to fellate
polari: chat, talk
polone: woman
pots: teeth
riah: hair
riah shusher: hairdresser
scarper: to run off
scotch: leg
sharpy: policeman
shush: steal
shush bag: holdall
shyker/shyckle: wig
slap: makeup
strillers: piano
thews: thighs
trade: sex
troll: to walk about (esp. looking for trade)
vada/varda: see/look
willets: breasts

A Genius Has Moved Into My Music Library

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:55:59 +0800

Until now I hadn’t been seduced by the promise of Genius. Genius is a bit of iTunes that, once activated, magically analyses your iTunes Library, then sends that analysis off to Apple who do things with it and send something back to you; in my case a 90 MB file called ‘iTunes Library Genius.itdb’.

From there you select a track in your Library and tell Genius to do its thing and hey presto a new playlist with multiple tracks chosen to complement your original selection. Genius also provides a set of Genius Mixes (pic above), mysterious selections again based on your Library, but organised around recurring themes in your collection.

From what I gather the algorithms behind this iTunes feature are very complex and very clever. I believe that unreservedly because I can’t even begin to imagine how a set of algorithms could do what Genius does to my music collection. Anyone who knows my taste in music will understand the implications.

That’s not to say it can’t be stumped. For instance when I selected ‘The Tomorrow People Theme’, Genius “said no”. When I selected ‘Because There Is Music In The Air’ by Macho, Genius “said no”. When I selected ‘Rippin Up The Disco’ by Kylie, Genius “said no”. And it doesn’t want to do anything with the Beatles tracks (yet).

What’s more impressive is the way it dealt with some of my more obscure stuff. Even Leonard Nimoy’s albums got the Genius treatment successfully. It hits more times than it misses and the playlists Genius creates manage to be eerily wonderful. Just like it promises Genius delivers a fantastic way to navigate your music Library.

My iTunes Library contains 26,213 items and so far Genius appears to be utilising almost everything in it. If you use iTunes turn it on and play with it. The iTunes 9 upgrade continues to impress, well apart from the (no-modifiable) white background!

The Autons Meet The Stepford Wives in The Battle for Twenty-Ten

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:20:46 +0800

This is (part of) the story of one of my workplaces, the one that’s a huge hulking institution, we’ll call it Merde U. Some one on the top floor of the important persons building, someone with real power, has decreed that the institution needs a shake-up, a bit of restructure. Nothing wrong with that. I like change, especially if it means improvement of function, form and outcomes that benefit all stakeholders.

Enter a huge multi-national consulting firm, we’ll call them Zealotes (see above - akin to the Autons from Doctor Who), to undertake the restructure. Nameless, faceless youths, drapped in expensive wool suits with more flyer-miles than a Paris Hilton set of travel-trunks. They’ve held countless briefing sessions, mapped workflows, adjusted workflows, created incomprehensible brick diagrams with pretty colours, made inconvenient staff disappear and elevated others to lofty heights. Most disturbing, they have plundered every Powerpoint Template ever conceived and force unfortunates to endure them in some strange indoctrination I have as yet avoided. All of the Zealotes impart words of power which converts are encouraged to remember and invoke. What are those words? I can reveal they are - ‘twenty-ten’.

Now at Merde U, when you pass people who have been indoctrinated, they are as Stepford Wives, blank of face with eyes glazed over and they utter the words of power ‘twenty-ten’ in a monotone drawl. I’m not sure how the words of power really work but I think you have to be indoctrinated before they do work because they are having no effect on me whatsoever. In fact I just evoke a few of my own words of power. I’ll let you guess what they could be.

... this story will continue in The Zealotes Strike Back - coming soon (unless they convert me first) ...

Jejune, A Favourite Word & Institute

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:23:03 +0800

I was going to write all about jejune. Someone else already has, Words for Nerds – Jejune, by Brad Shorr. The gist of what Brad writes is,

“Jejune really gives you three insults for the price of one. On the next occasion you wish to brand a thing insipid, sophomoric, and prosaic, simply call it jejune and kill three birds with one stone.”

I find myself wanting to use words like jejune during working hours, fortunately of which I have few. Why? The Stepford Wives are working some fiendish plan and I find being able to rasp, in what passes for a blokey voice al la Barry White (emphasis on the white in my case) words like jejune makes me feel better. The Stepford Wives are all veneer so my words slide off with little to no effect, but it does give me some satisfaction and an opportunity to build my vocabulary of insults.

In researching the origins of the word I had a fun side step and came across,

The JEJUNE Institute

As you read/say the words The JEJUNE Institute you should imagine either an ominous Japanese gong, or Celestial Synthesisers, or maybe both. Funny what some people do with their days-off.

If you’re disturbed by the possibility of advancing your self into the next epoch-evolutionary-advanced-human form and general weirdness I would recommend you ought not visit The JEJUNE Institute. If you believe that The Tomorrow People are real, you probably shouldn’t go there either.

Sarah Jane Smith - My First Love

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 18:26:02 +0800

In the mid 1970s growing up in remote Australia afforded few distractions. The only TV we got was ABC, the National Public Broadcaster on Channel 5A. Countdown on Sundays, then The Goodies and Dr Who each weeknight just before tea; lots of repeats too.

There’s a couple of Dr Who stories that stand out;

★ The Sea-Devils - when the devils come out of the water, en-masse,
★ The Three Doctors - all three Docs together & the Brig’s reaction to being in the TARDIS,
★ and every Sarah Jane Smith story.

I liked Jo Grant, but to be honest, even as a child I could see she was a bit dim (mind you, she always wins the prize for ‘gifted and talented in a pair of purple platform boots’). It was Sarah I fell in love with. No seriously. I thought the epitome of womanhood was Sarah Jane Smith. Smart, strong but vulnerable, morally centred, attractive, funny and a snappy dresser, well except for the Andy Pandy suit, but we don’t talk about that. Being a 9 year old kid, the world was fairly simple to make sense of, if The Doctor thought Sarah was a good bet in the TARDIS I thought she was a good bet full stop.

Later came more channels and then videos and entertainment options exploded, plus I got older and we moved. But I did end up becoming a journalist because of Sarah Jane Smith. I’m not anymore but that’s down to a very different person.

Now I’m much older, far more cynical and less impressed by the derivative rubbish that passes as either TV or Cinema ... and look who’s back. Sarah Jane Smith is saving the world all over again, not in repeats but all new original adventures. She’s met the new Doctor, helped save the Universe from Davros, co-piloted the Tardis (& planet Earth on a toe-rope) across the cosmos and been spun-off. Yep for a couple of years now The Sarah Jane Adventures have been made at BBC Wales, transmitted everywhere, released on DVD everywhere and winning awards. The genius that is Russell T Davis helped create the new show but it is without doubt the faultless performance of Lis Sladen that brings the show to life and makes it work.

And even today, no seriously, if I met Sarah I’d have to seriously consider putting the rainbow T-shirt in the back of the closet. I understand that Lis Sladen is very happily married, that’s a wonderful thing. The person behind Sarah Jane Smith must be a remarkable woman too.

But why would I blog about Sarah, given I rarely blog about anything? Sarah sent me a message on Facebook today. I can’t quite believe how thrilled I was to get that notification. It might’ve been viral marketing par-excellence but a 9 year old child was so excited. It was nice to be reminded of who I was. Thanks Sarah (and Lis), for then and now.

★ The Official BBC Sarah Jane Adventures Website
★ Elisabeth Sladen on Wikipedia
★ The Official BBC Doctor Who Website
★ The Gallifrey Newsbase
★ The Countdown Website
★ The Goodies