2023-09-20

vivdunstan: Part of own photo taken in local university botanic gardens. Tree trunks rise atmospherically, throwing shadows from the sun on the ground. (Default)
2023-09-20 03:26 pm

“Murrrdddeerr”

Reminded of a talk I gave 10 years ago today to the Economic and Social History Society of Scotland conference in Inverness. As I wrote then: "Also my talk on 17th century Melrose area court records went well. I said two things I didn’t plan to say: 'CSI Melrose', and 'Murrrdddeerr' a la Taggart! I do improvise a lot in conference talks, and am never quite sure what I will say!"

I don't think I'll ever be able to give another academic conference talk again, given my progressive neurological illness now, but it was fun while I still could. For this one back in 2013 I had to use my wheelchair that day. Luckily the venue was pretty accessible.
vivdunstan: Part of own photo taken in local university botanic gardens. Tree trunks rise atmospherically, throwing shadows from the sun on the ground. (Default)
2023-09-20 04:33 pm

Net zero

I've recently been reading much more about climate change. And it is the most horrifying thing ever. The planet is facing an existential crisis. Without rapid huge changes it will be barely liveable in for future generations. Watering down hugely net zero policies is not responsible politics. Nor is pretending that doing so can still deliver the required results. Shame on Sunak. Shame on the Tories. We need to act decisively now.
vivdunstan: Part of own photo taken in local university botanic gardens. Tree trunks rise atmospherically, throwing shadows from the sun on the ground. (Default)
2023-09-20 04:41 pm

Electronic Superhighway

This old comic came up on my Facebook today. Wow.

Calvin and his tiger pal Hobbes are walking along, chatting about the "Electronic superhighway". Calvin says: "Pretty soon, computers, telephones and TVs will all be hooked together to bring instantaneous, interactive communication right into our homes.", before noting his dad preferred it when you had to communicate by mail and "wouldn't hear back from anybody for at least a week." Calvin finishes with the comment "I'm a 21st century kid trapped in a 19th-century family."
vivdunstan: Photo of some of my books (books)
2023-09-20 05:38 pm

Terry Pratchett's HisWorld book

Just got this, the companion/guide/catalogue for the HisWorld Terry Pratchett exhibition at Salisbury a while back. This is a massive illustrated hardback book. It would be a good buy for Pratchett fans at full price £30. It is currently half that price and on last chance to buy. I got it with some birthday money. Highly recommended.
vivdunstan: Part of own photo taken in local university botanic gardens. Tree trunks rise atmospherically, throwing shadows from the sun on the ground. (Default)
2023-09-20 10:37 pm

A knitted familiar face

Loving this photo (on the Time Team Facebook feed) from the latest Time Team dig last weekend. In Dorset. I’m a Patreon backer so get early previews of things, but we will be waiting to watch the main dig videos that will go freely on YouTube for all to watch. We’ve enjoyed all their new dig videos on YouTube. Recommended.