Helleborus corsicus - another great winter flower
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Gadgets and widgets
Last assignment - to try adding a gadget or widget to the blog. Found this a little difficult, the first couple of tries didn't work. After copying and pasting the required code from Google Gadgets, I was given 1,641 choices of gadget. I wanted the Christchurch weather, but it seems that the codes are not specific to one gadget, but to a field of gadgets, and then you must scroll through to find the one you want. Perhaps it's just me. I managed to put Sally the sheep on my blog, but I don't know if I will keep her there. I don't like the way the gadget comes with an advert for Google attached - it ruins the look of my blog. So farewell Sally. Google gadgets seem to be a lot of rubbish. No, I don't want porno pikkies of Miley Cyrus on my blog, thankyou, call me an old prude if you want, but naked people do lower the tone of one's blog. I prefer the gadgets that come with Blogger - it is more straightforward to work within what is offered with the Blogger territory.
Carrying on with the five-book challenge, but it really so far hasn't changed my opinion of sci-fi/fantasy. I'm trying to read one about the world of Faerie (damned if I can remember what it's called), but it's just so far-fetched, I can't be bothered. I must look around for some nice blogs/sites to add. Found one from a librarian in Melbourne "Living in the kingdom of too much", which I like, probably because she is about my age. There seem to be lots of librarian-bloggers. OK, said enough today. Bye-bye.
Carrying on with the five-book challenge, but it really so far hasn't changed my opinion of sci-fi/fantasy. I'm trying to read one about the world of Faerie (damned if I can remember what it's called), but it's just so far-fetched, I can't be bothered. I must look around for some nice blogs/sites to add. Found one from a librarian in Melbourne "Living in the kingdom of too much", which I like, probably because she is about my age. There seem to be lots of librarian-bloggers. OK, said enough today. Bye-bye.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Cold
Yes, it's cold and I have one. Haven't done much today except work. Thought for the day: must try and inject some Kiwiana into my house. Soon I'll get to take my harakeke basket back home. I made it for the library, but they don't seem to like it or want it or know what to do with it, so its my baby and it can live happily in my conservatory.
Speaking of my conservatory, I spent some of Saturday cleaning mould off the floor and windows. We have had no sunny days lately so my house is becoming Mildew Manor. Blech.
The daffodils I appropriated from the old house site over the road are coming up, so I feel vindicated in taking them. The site is about to be "developed". So far this has involved cutting down all of the large trees, one was a beautiful linden tree about 80 years old. The next step will be to strip the topsoil and sell it, so my bulbs will be as "brands snatched from the burning". Perhaps by the time they flower I will have a digital camera so can post some pictures.
Speaking of my conservatory, I spent some of Saturday cleaning mould off the floor and windows. We have had no sunny days lately so my house is becoming Mildew Manor. Blech.
The daffodils I appropriated from the old house site over the road are coming up, so I feel vindicated in taking them. The site is about to be "developed". So far this has involved cutting down all of the large trees, one was a beautiful linden tree about 80 years old. The next step will be to strip the topsoil and sell it, so my bulbs will be as "brands snatched from the burning". Perhaps by the time they flower I will have a digital camera so can post some pictures.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Mucking around
Toaday has been a bit of a mucking about day (just mucking about in cyberspace). LAMS was not functioning so I was not able to get to the "Widgets and gadgets" part of the course. Instead, I added some bits to my blog profile and had a look at LibraryThing. LibraryThing looks like a really big site, encyclopedic really. The only thing librarians like as much as reading is writing about reading. That would be quite a good header for a site "Writing about reading" but I'll bet that someone has already used it. That's one of the humbling things about the Internet, not only has someone else said it before they've said it better as well. We'd all like to think that our thoughts are brilliant and original, but the Internet proves that usually we are just plogging along in the same old thought-groove plogged by thousands before us. (Plog - to write a tiresomely pedestrian blog - you read it here first?)
This is the penultimate week of the CCLLearn course, it's been fun. I don't know if I will continue this blog yet, I'll have to think about it.
P.S just Googled "plog" - it has been used already. Argh.
This is the penultimate week of the CCLLearn course, it's been fun. I don't know if I will continue this blog yet, I'll have to think about it.
P.S just Googled "plog" - it has been used already. Argh.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wiki wacky
Today I looked at the Wiki part of CCLLearn. It is quite interesting, and I completed most of the activities. I particularly liked the article "Creating online communities with Wiki" written by a librarian. I am attracted to the idea of community forums (should that be fora, forii) for people to contribute to, for example, local history nets that allow the community to log information and comments.
Today also the Skype session. Cushie set it up as a conference call, so their were five people talking. At first I could hear people but not speak to them, until Jenny pointed out that I only had my earphones plugged in and not my microphone. Doh! I found it disconcerting not to see people, and realized how much body language plays a part in group interaction. One-to-one is not so bad, its just like a phone call. I'll bet people had this problem with the first telephones, until a sort of protocol became accepted for phone use -you'll talk then I'll talk, etc.
Today also the Skype session. Cushie set it up as a conference call, so their were five people talking. At first I could hear people but not speak to them, until Jenny pointed out that I only had my earphones plugged in and not my microphone. Doh! I found it disconcerting not to see people, and realized how much body language plays a part in group interaction. One-to-one is not so bad, its just like a phone call. I'll bet people had this problem with the first telephones, until a sort of protocol became accepted for phone use -you'll talk then I'll talk, etc.
Chimonanthus praecox
Another winter bloom, not visually spectacular, but has a glorious fragrance. One of my neighbours has one, I can't see it but enjoy the scent as I give the roses their winter pruning.
Iris unguicularis
This used to be called Iris stylosa, and flower in winter. They have a lovely delicate frangrance. English gardening writer Beverley Nicholls In his book "Merry Hall" talks about picking them out of a snowdrift in the middle of January.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Wow!
I've done a lot to my blog today. I've added two YouTube clips, bookmarked the Christchurch Readers and Writers Festival, added a sitemeter (to count all you eager readers) and read some hints about how to publicize my blog. I still haven't worked out how to add a gadget though, or uploaded an image from a digital camera. I'd like to photograph our waikawa basket and put it on my blog, but I think that may have to wait for another day. (I wish that I had taken photos of it as it dries out, as the colours are changing so beautifully over time, as if it was still a living thing).
I really have become obsessed by blogging, but I think it may turn out to be a useful obsession. There's no easier way to learn than to want to learn, and I think writing/designing a blog is good for me because the results are 1) visual and 2) instant. Bloggers help pages are quite good, and if you search by subject you can get to forums from other users.
I need to go and have a tea break now.
I really have become obsessed by blogging, but I think it may turn out to be a useful obsession. There's no easier way to learn than to want to learn, and I think writing/designing a blog is good for me because the results are 1) visual and 2) instant. Bloggers help pages are quite good, and if you search by subject you can get to forums from other users.
I need to go and have a tea break now.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Templates
I like playing around with templates, so I've just changed from Minima to Watermark. A bit nonplussed when I logged on today to be told that I had to rejoin Google as the old Blogger log-in did not work anymore. I thought I already had a Google log-in but I think now it was for Googlefriend instead. Looks like I also have to re-sign with Flickr as well.
What is it with Google? Do they want to be Big Brother? It does make me feel a little uneasy.
Have a Skype session on Friday, something I know nothing about at all. It could be interesting or very annoying - the potential for technological balls-ups seems quite strong. Just think, one day telemarketers will be able to interrupt your Skype sessions - you'll be able to abuse that bozo from Slingshot face to face.
Want some fun? Look up You-tube and get sexy librarians singing new words to Lady Gaga's Pokerface. Thank God they are all wearing their workclothes though.
What is it with Google? Do they want to be Big Brother? It does make me feel a little uneasy.
Have a Skype session on Friday, something I know nothing about at all. It could be interesting or very annoying - the potential for technological balls-ups seems quite strong. Just think, one day telemarketers will be able to interrupt your Skype sessions - you'll be able to abuse that bozo from Slingshot face to face.
Want some fun? Look up You-tube and get sexy librarians singing new words to Lady Gaga's Pokerface. Thank God they are all wearing their workclothes though.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The five-book challenge
Yes, it's another post, I just can't seem to stop today.
I've taken on the five-book challenge that we have going at Christchurch City Libraries. This involves an undertaking to read five books in a genre that the reader rarely or never reads. My bete-noire is Science fiction/fantasy. I am allergic to anything about mages, swords, sorcerers, ringworlds, dragons etc. However, I have read the Narnia books, Lord of the Rings, and a list of other fantasy and science fiction and really enjoyed them. Perhaps it's the quality of the writing that puts me off. So like a good little librarian I've asked colleagues for recommendations, surveyed the Internet and our own website, and done a little bit of reading about the genre. I might even be converted.
That is the doom I deem.
I've taken on the five-book challenge that we have going at Christchurch City Libraries. This involves an undertaking to read five books in a genre that the reader rarely or never reads. My bete-noire is Science fiction/fantasy. I am allergic to anything about mages, swords, sorcerers, ringworlds, dragons etc. However, I have read the Narnia books, Lord of the Rings, and a list of other fantasy and science fiction and really enjoyed them. Perhaps it's the quality of the writing that puts me off. So like a good little librarian I've asked colleagues for recommendations, surveyed the Internet and our own website, and done a little bit of reading about the genre. I might even be converted.
That is the doom I deem.
Work, work.
Have completed some more of the units in CCLLearn, the photos and images one was fantastic, really enjoyed this. Made a wordle out of my blog, and looked at Matapihi and Web 2.0. Obviously Matapihi could be improved by Web 2.0; it is a wonderful resource but the user comes up against the stony wall of copyright as regards using the images. Matapihi could do with a Flickr-type application, which has some images in the public domain able to be uploaded. It would also benefit from being far more interactive, with a public forum for adding information. This would have to be moderated, of course, to avoid facetious and obscene comments, but much could be gained from public contributions.
Motukiekie Rocks near Greymouth
Here is one of my favourite places in all the world. I used to stay in a house owned by my landlady on the top of the cliffs on the left. Now she has died and the house is sold, so I feel like Eve shut out of Eden. I once wrote a poem here:
Kiekie islands make me smile,
Stay here for a little while,
You'll see bush and you'll see sun,
You will have a lot of fun.
Walk upon the beach at dawn,
Forget about your bloody lawn!
Eat, and laugh, and drink some wine.
You'll go back home feeling fine.
Kiekie islands make me smile,
Stay here for a little while,
You'll see bush and you'll see sun,
You will have a lot of fun.
Walk upon the beach at dawn,
Forget about your bloody lawn!
Eat, and laugh, and drink some wine.
You'll go back home feeling fine.
Daffodils in winter
I've just seen daffodils on sale at the supermarket, blooming and lovely and yellow, but it's early June, just the beginning of winter here in the southern hemisphere. While I love spring flowers, I don't want to see them at other times. It seems that not only do we have the technology to produce out-of-sesason vegetables, but also cut-flower crops and bulbs. These daffodils will have been kept in a dark place and force-fed nutrients and chemicals, their natural flowering cycle altered to fit the time that they will make most money for the grower, like a vegetable Strasbourg goose.
Surely part of the joy of spring is the long wait we have for it, and the sense of emerging from a dark tunnel into a world of colour, scent and warmth. Is this why so many people in our Western world suffer from depression? Our joy is dulled by our ability to have whatever we want when we want it, there is no thrill of anticipation any more. I think the writer Wilkie Collins was once asked for the secret of writing. "Make'em laugh, make 'em cry, make 'em wait". Hope deferred may maketh the heart sick, but a little waiting is good for the soul. Wait for your daffodils; they will seem all the sweeter.
Surely part of the joy of spring is the long wait we have for it, and the sense of emerging from a dark tunnel into a world of colour, scent and warmth. Is this why so many people in our Western world suffer from depression? Our joy is dulled by our ability to have whatever we want when we want it, there is no thrill of anticipation any more. I think the writer Wilkie Collins was once asked for the secret of writing. "Make'em laugh, make 'em cry, make 'em wait". Hope deferred may maketh the heart sick, but a little waiting is good for the soul. Wait for your daffodils; they will seem all the sweeter.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Lovely in Lilac
And here is one of my favourite flowers. I have one flowering now in the garden. It is very tall and flowers just as we turn from deep autumn to winter. Sometimes it gets knocked over by high winds but that hasn't happened this year.
Soldier's goodbye & Bobbie the cat, ca. 1939-ca. 1945 / by Sam Hood
Soldier's goodbye & Bobbie the cat, ca. 1939-ca. 1945 / by Sam Hood
Originally uploaded by State Library of New South Wales collection
Noli Me Tangere
This is one of my favourite pictures. It is a fresco on the wall of the monastery of San Marco, one of several painted in the monks dormitory. I like it partly because it depicts Christ as a gardener (yes, that seems to be a mattock he is holding), also for the beautiful colours of the fresco and the expressive pose and gestures of the two figures.
On and on
Today I had a closer look at customizing my layout, as I feel my layout is a little boring. The information seems a little contradictory. I will crack it sometime, but now I just want to add a few more pictures. Enjoy.
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