My friend Richard Watts has already ranted the good rant about this stupidity.
If I ever become an Evil Overlord…
… then here’s the plan: Follow the advice given in The Top 100 Things I’d Do If I Ever Became An Evil Overlord. Including:
- My Legions of Terror will have helmets with clear plexiglass visors, not face-concealing ones.
- I will not interrogate my enemies in the inner sanctum — a small hotel well outside my borders will work just as well.
- If my advisors ask “Why are you risking everything on such a mad scheme?”, I will not proceed until I have a response that satisfies them.
- My vats of hazardous chemicals will be covered when not in use. Also, I will not construct walkways above them.
Sure, the list is a decade old, but I only found out about it just now from author John Birmingham, who continues the discussion.
Spammer’s Ode #1
While clearing out the spammers’ attempts to post comments to this website today, I was struck by the rather attractive rhythm they formed — if “attractive” is the right word. Here, then, is the first poetry I’ve written in more than 20 years, entitled…
Remember the bigger picture
On a beautifully rainy morning, a raindrop becomes part of a metaphor in my horoscope from Astrology.com.
Have you ever stood too close to a painting or a photograph? Here you thought you were looking at a drop of rain, but when you back up, you realize it’s the entire ocean. Take that perspective on your life now.
Yes, you. Now.
Um, yes Miss.
Back later.
Competitors or colleagues?
On Friday night I ran into three local restaurateurs chatting in the street — proprietors respectively of Sydney’s best Lebanese restaurant Fifi‘s, Greek meze specialists Kafenes and The Razor’s Edge.
While I’ve eaten at Fifi’s several times and can vouch for their wonderfulness, which is why I stopped to chat too. I haven’t tried the others — but they both have excellent reputations.
The guy from The Razor’s Edge left to set up for dinner. And then the guy from Fifi’s mentioned that his kitchen hands were late and he had to go too. Maria from Kafene’s reaction: “Do you need a hand?”
Restaurants across the road from each other are meant to be arch enemies, aren’t they? Or are they? This cooperative approach to business was inspiring.
Avian mystery solved!
The unknown bird call which woke ’Pong and me the other day has been identified. This morning I spotted the beautiful pair of Grey Butcherbirds (Cracticus torquatus) on a tree next door.
Today’s morning chorus also included 30-odd long-billed corellas, a scattering of rainbow lorikeets, a low-flying pied currawong (I love the way they fly well under the main canopy, staying hidden) and assorted pigeons and miners.