(karl)sin(field)design(er)

What is it with the unrelenting “revelations” about politicians shouting at each other? Has no-one seen The Thick of It? I’m totally confused. And for the media to run with this non-story is yet another demonstration of media hypocrisy. I can highly recommend the above book, which describes Kelvin MacKenzie’s thankfully aborted attempt at creating a televisual version of the NotW. The accounts of his reign of terror at The Sun are hilarious; his “bollockings” would apparently make Peter Capaldi’s rants seem like cosy fireside chats with your grandma. Once again, the news media’s prurient exterior belies the weeping sores and black, black heart at it’s core.

Shock revelations coming soon to a newspaper near you: Alex Ferguson sacked for bullying players, John McEnroe retrospectively charged for bullying umpires, and prime-time training video for bullies, Eastenders, is cancelled.

“Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn’t the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment.” — Robert Benchley.
via Futility Closet

Apparently the noses of bullet trains are made by hand, in a traditional panel-beating technique. Apparently it’s the only way to get it thin and light enough. Downside: apparently it takes over ten years to get the hang of it.

Guilty your honour.

Female Southern Hawker, ovipositing at the edge of the pond.

At 1am we were woken from our slumber by the biggest earthquake the UK has seen for 25 years.

The last time I experienced such tectonic jiggling was in 2001, in Japan, where every home has an earthquake kit, consisting of hard hats, blankets, torches and so on.  It is a nation in constant (but notably calm) anticipation of “The Big One”. We were staying in a friend’s apartment near Yoyogi park, just getting ready to go out, and the building quivered horizontally. I described the sensation at the time as though you were sitting in a car on the hard shoulder, and a large truck passed by. It’s not too disconcerting in itself, but you instinctively hold your breath until it ends.

Last night’s quake was similar, but slightly more so. The epicentre was 100 miles to the east, and apparently some damage was done to a few houses. We’re all fine though. Nary an ornament was tumbled from the mantle.

Good times.

there are still so many undiscovered paths round here…

New Mills is a town on many levels…in every sense.