Boxing Day Magic

First the Aussies are all out in the MCG Test for under 100, then QPR thrash promotion rivals Swansea 4-0, including a mesmerising display by the one and only Adel Taarabt! A frabjous day.

The Fantastic Four to be Four No More

They say here that in the next issue of the Fantastic Four comic, one of the main characters will die. What on earth is the point of that? Unless, I suppose, they then have to recruit another member to make up the number. Lame lame lame.

The Fantastic Four comic was the first to which I graduated after the early years of Peanuts. It was imported from the USA every month, and I went out and bought it each time for quite a few years (cue moans about if I had kept them all what a fun time I might be having on ebay today). Only Spiderman came close to them for me, despite a brief flirtation with the Silver Surfer and Iron Man.

My favourite was Ben Grimm, even before I knew this:


So, IT'D BETTER NOT BE THE THING MARVEL COMICS DO YOU HEAR ME?!

The Grass is Greener

Many friends know of my interest in amusing and strange signs. I just found this one on a BBC site, and had to share it with you. Actually, I am a big fan of walking on the grass, especially barefoot. Except in Munich, where the police will give you a ticket. For the grass thing, not for carrying your shoes.

For Those Of Us Mad At The Clouds

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse from William Castleman on Vimeo.

I got myself up to see the lunar eclipse that coincided with the winter solstice for the first time in c. 400 years. But the sky was full of clouds and there was nothing to be seen except a dank, dark night. In case you also missed the sight, please enjoy this vid.

An Historic Moment

THE UNITED STATES SENATE HAS REPEALED THE "DON'T ASK DON'T TELL" POLICY IN THE AMERICAN MILITARY.

New York Times report
BBC News online report

Twelve years too late for me to become a military chaplain, but maybe now someone else will have a chance. Now for the marriage laws - onward and upward!

The Answer, My Friend

Late this afternoon, the weather in west London turned from rain to swirling sleet. As I made my way to the surgery for an appointment, it occurred to me that holding an umbrella in a storm is the antithesis of sailing, i.e., the aim is NOT to let the winds billow into the canvas, otherwise it turns into a bad version of Mary Poppins.

Science Fiction for Kids

A Facebook friend posted this example of college humour, and I was rather drawn to it. With apologies to Dr. Seuss.

RIP Elizabeth Edwards

Leo Cullum RIP

Leo Cullum, whose cartoons in the New Yorker I recognise, although I never put a name to them, has died. Here are a couple of my favourites for your enjoyment.



An obituary may be found here.

Now Rest Ye Footy Gentlemen

No football today for the R's - the match up at Hull was postponed :-( (o now we understand the sudden interest in the cricket!)

The Second Test

Apologies for those of you expecting a religious treatise or an ancient myth. This is cricket. Unless you are English or Australian, you'd better go browse in the blogroll because this is serious business. After a humiliating whitewash last time the Ashes were contested down under, England have made a fine start this time round. The photo above is the schadenfreude-of-the-week moment, as the Aussie captain Ricky Ponting is out first ball at the beginning of the Second Test.