http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php Culture Vulture is a cultural introduction agency for professionals in London, South East and throughout the UK. For cultural discussions on the arts, members also have the ability to meet date and debate using our forums, or your own user blog en Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:53:52 GMT vBulletin 60 http://culturevulture.uk.com/images/ca_evo2/misc/rss.jpg http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=30 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:34:18 GMT Saturday brings a local event - a mini T in the Park if you like.....where local musicians and stalls have the annual showcase. Should be fun, and I...
Saturday brings a local event - a mini T in the Park if you like.....where local musicians and stalls have the annual showcase. Should be fun, and I always enjoy the mishmash of Scottish weather, drums, guitars and fiddles!

;) ]]> Frisbeetarianist http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=30 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=29 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:06:56 GMT Missing my weekly dose of flyball due to bad weather so thought I would bore everyone with an account of this amazing sport. Image:... Missing my weekly dose of flyball due to bad weather so thought I would bore everyone with an account of this amazing sport.

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:...s/Flyball2.jpg

I just spent so long looking for this picture, and then watching the Crufts finals on UTube! Anyway what happens is dogs run up a flight of 4 jumps to the box, and by putting their feet on the box, release a ball which they catch and then jump back to their handler. Don't think I described that very well but you could always type flyball in a google search and you'll see the UTube. Dogs learn to do this so quickly, think I ran mine from the last jump to the box, then from the second to last jump to the box and then she was away, and loving every minute. The lane of jumps is netted in for beginners so they don't get distracted. Its a great way to socialise and exercise dogs and much less strenuous for the handler than agility, though me and my dog love that too! Looking forward to a competition in August though I think our team has a long way to go before we will be in rosettes. But we have only been doing this for about 10 weeks.
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:...mber_teddy.jpg ]]> lindat http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=29 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=28 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:24:15 GMT It used to be the practice to have a "Dedication" page at the start of a Ph.D.; for all I know, it still is. I remember reading one that started "To My.." and then you turned over the page. You would expect something like "To my wife" or "All the staff at the Institute Library". Over the page were the words "My amazement". And that is exactly how I feel about passing this exam.

Perhaps my memory worked like that of women after childbirth, only in reverse. I believe that it is often the case that women fantasise a far easier birth than actually happened. Perhaps my memory creates catastrophes.

And I'd like to end with three dedications. To my wife, whose support in this has been incredible. To my piano teacher, who is brilliant. And my neighbours whose feigned tactful deafness is carried off with aplomb. "i didn't know you were learning the piano", one said. Oh no, I just have a faulty C.D. player that repeats the same five notes over and over again, with an intermittent fault that mimics wrong notes. Thank you. ]]> Sherlock Holmes http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=28 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=27 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:07:49 GMT Some time ago, I wrote about the delights of learning a musical instrument later in life. For me, the pleasure doesn't extend to being examined on it. I find the idea of taking exams important- it helps to keep up my motivation. However, I've always been very bad about being judged. I hate any kind of formal evaluation. Piano exams are a particular source of terror. I arrived at my latest feeling bizarrely confident. I can recall thinking that I was going to do my teacher proud. He's excellent. This unwonted attitude evaporated during the waiting period when terror set in.

I started my scales reasonably enough, and then the examiner asked for a particular scale. I experienced something of a mental earthquake and I felt a San Andreas fault-sized chasm opening up in my memory. I stared at the piano, lietrally trying to remember how scales were played. After twice drawing a blank, the examiner asked me to play a scale which clicked my mind back into operational mode, and I was able to play that.

The next crisis occurred with my first prepared piece. The acoustic of the room, and the nature of the piano, meant that my playing sounded to me less like a piano than the Albert Hall organ. Wanting to keep something of the delicacy of the piece, I tried to use a light touch, with the result that I probably only managed to sound one note of each of the chords I had attempted to play. The entire piece seemed to last about a tenth of a millisecond and so, by the time I realised how disastrous my strategy had been, I had finished- in ignominy.

Then came the second piece. This had a sense of melancholy and drama about it, at least it had when I played it at home. I felt especially confident about this one. But, towards the end, I mis-played a note, and then everything went awry, as I finished on literally a dozen mistruck notes. Having messed up my best piece, I lost what small vestige of confidence remained and the rest of the exam passed in a state of advanced disassociation. There is such a thing as scrapping a pass, however, and I hope that Valium will come to my aid next time. I understand the Schools of Music are yet to introduce compulsary drug tests. Would steroids strengthen my little finger? How do other members cope ? ]]> Sherlock Holmes http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=27 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=26 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:06:21 GMT Some time ago, I wrote about the delights of learning a musical instrument later in life. For me, the pleasure doesn't extend to being examined on it. I find the idea of taking exams important- it helps to keep up my motivation. However, I've always been very bad about being judged. I hate any kind of formal evaluation. Piano exams are a particular source of terror. I arrived at my latest feeling bizarrely confident. I can recall thinking that I was going to do my teacher proud. He's excellent. This unwonted attitude evaporated during the waiting period when terror set in.

I started my scales reasoanbly enough, and then the examiner asked for a particular scale. I experienced something of a mental earthquake and I felt a San Andreas fault-sized chasm opening up in my memory. I stared at the piano, lietrally trying to remember how scales were played. After twice drawing a blank, the examiner asked me to play a scale which clicked my mind back into operational mode, and I was able to play that.

The next crisis occurred with my first prepared piece. The acoustic of the room, and the nature of the piano, meant that my playing sounded to me less like a piano than the Albert Hall organ. Wanting to keep something of the delicacy of the piece, I tried to use a light touch, with the result that I probably only managed to sound one note of each of the chords I had attempted to play. The entire piece seemed to last about a tenth of a millisecond and so, by the time I realised how disastrous my strategy had been, I had finished- in ignominy.

Then came the second piece. This had a sense of melancholy and drama about it, at least it had when I played it at home. I felt especailly confident about this one. But, towards the end, I mis-played a note, and then everything went awry, as I finished on literally a dozen mistruck notes. Having messed up my best piece, I lost what small vestige of confidence remained and the rest of the exam passed in a state of advanced disassociation. There is such a thing as scrapping a pass, however, and I hope that Valium will come to my aid next time. I understand the Schools of Music are yet to introduce compulsary drug tests. Would steroids strengthen my little finger? How do other members cope ? ]]> Sherlock Holmes http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=26 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=25 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:44:58 GMT Tell me what is behind your CV user name, there is a lot of interesting names , what is the story? I may reveal the story behind mine. Tell me what is behind your CV user name, there is a lot of interesting names , what is the story? I may reveal the story behind mine. ]]> Mad-boo http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=25 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=24 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:44:02 GMT Post here if you are going to come to Jali!!!!!!!! I am sooo hungry at the moment, thinking about food is not good. Any how I will start off... Post here if you are going to come to Jali!!!!!!!!

I am sooo hungry at the moment, thinking about food is not good.


Any how I will start off :



Curry ]]> Mad-boo http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=24 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=23 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:17:57 GMT I'm writing a short story set in Liverpool. I always give away free copies to friends. ]]> KenLiverpool http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=23 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=22 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:46:15 GMT We recently moved into the new house....at last.. . and I have a new friend who lives in my garden, his name is Mr.Fox, now to start with I am a bit... We recently moved into the new house....at last.. . and I have a new friend who lives in my garden, his name is Mr.Fox, now to start with I am a bit of an animal lover and have that childish side to me from the days of watching All Creatures Great and Small.So I am very ashamed to say that due to my curious and selfish nature I did leave it food, as it looked like it has just left it mum and did not know quite what to do.

See my photo album for latest photos of Mr/Madamoiselle Fox

The thing is it is becoming somewhat too tame, as I found it in the living room the other day and it just lies on the grass like a pet dog near me.

Have I done a really bad thing , it is wrong to tame wild animals, should I bolt the doors and walk away from the little ginger face? Or should I just buy a diamonte dog collar ,and a little outfit
What would you do? Are we still a rabies free country? ]]> Mad-boo http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=22 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=21 Sun, 25 May 2008 07:28:53 GMT My wife and I took the campervan away for a few days. There is something pooterish about these blogs, I think. Tales of drunken debauchery they are... My wife and I took the campervan away for a few days. There is something pooterish about these blogs, I think. Tales of drunken debauchery they are not. Anyway, where we go, there the dogs go too. They are two in number. They are called Skye and Blue. Pathetic, yes. But the first is named after the island; it sounds worse than it is. Skye is a year old. But this story concerns Blue. Blue is fourteen now, which in canine terms means he should be entitled to a heating allowance and a free bus pass, and can begin to look forward to a birthday telegram from Buck House. Of late, he has begun to feel his age. My wife, who is inclined, I think, to exaggeration, makes much of his symptoms. Anyway, she took him for an early morning walk while I made the coffee on which the maintenance of brain function and marital harmony depends. On this walk, he found a rabbit. Whether it was already dead or he put it in this state I do not know. Anyway, his is a classic story of deprivation in youth. He is a rescue; however, he came from a good home, albeit one in which he was totally dominated by an alpha female, his sister. As a consequence, he always fears that anything of his will be snatched away from him. This applies particularly to matters rabbity. So off he goes, bearing his spoils. Wife understandably distressed. I am pressed into applying my deductive powers. We split up. Spouse patrols field. I take the campsite. Wife says he does not know where he is or what he is doing. He is senile. I beg to differ. Faced with possible disappearence and death of dog. Calamity beyond the reach of caffeine. I don my deerstalker and question campers. Campers co-operate at level Detective Superintendants on murder enquiries can only dream about. Dog answering description seen half an hour ago making its way in a northerly direction, with large formerly animate object in mouth. Further enquiries elicited that it had taken up position in field affording excellent views of campervan. To do this required excellent navigational skills and spatial skills exceeding those of Lewis Hamilton. Dog alive, well, and as capable of advanced mental functionning as its illustrious owner. Communicate this to wife via mobile phone. Wish I had one in the days when it was Watson and I. ]]> Sherlock Holmes http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=21 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=20 Sun, 25 May 2008 07:00:21 GMT This is a belated blog. It's last week's news.For many years, my wife and I have swum in the sea. Last year was an exception, with the bad weather which meant that it was either raining ( strange that getting wet should put me off swimming) or too windy, so the red flag was up. Indeed, last year I saw more of the red flag than Leninists did in 1917. Our spartan practice was to start on my wife's birthday in March and stop on mine in October. We're less self punishing now, so we wait for the icebergs to melt before venturing in. Which is what we did the weekend before last. There is a psychology to it. We're only going to get our feet wet, we say. I then follow a strange ritual, under the interesting delusion that it will prevent a heart attack. I slowly venture deeper and deeper, allowing my body to adjust completely to the temperature. This works. People say, why swim in the sea when there's a heated swimming pool ? In fact, the sun on the water with a blue sky above is as blissful as swimming in the Mediterranean, and probably less polluted. You don't feel cold because your body adjusts. Back to my ritual- I then swim just three strokes, and check that I'm still alive. This has been accomplished successfully so far. Then twelve strokes. And that's it. I'm now a swimmy fish again. ]]> Sherlock Holmes http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=20 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=19 Sat, 10 May 2008 23:39:40 GMT No, not Gordon Brown, the Premiership title race. I'm really excited about it, even a little frightened. It is a matter of international importance that United win it But superior skills matter little on a pitch more pocked marked than the moon. If United loose, it should be featured on one of those Channel Four programmes about miscarriages of justice. ]]> Sherlock Holmes http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=19 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=18 Sat, 10 May 2008 23:31:12 GMT In Boots the other day the young man behind the counter was new. In answer to a query from a young and rather bashful looking young woman, he said... In Boots the other day the young man behind the counter was new. In answer to a query from a young and rather bashful looking young woman, he said loudly, "Oh, that.. it's next to the contraceptives counter." Vey naughty. She got her item and rejoined the queue. She looked at me, and was so visibly embarrassed that I couldn't resist laughing, which obviously upset her even more. A juvenile, nasty side of me, but the story, alas, still makes me smile. ]]> Sherlock Holmes http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=18 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=17 Sat, 10 May 2008 23:30:40 GMT In Boots the other day the young man behind the counter was new. In answer to a query from a young and rather bashful looking young woman, he said... In Boots the other day the young man behind the counter was new. In answer to a query from a young and rather bashful looking young woman, he said loudly, "Oh, that.. it's next to the contraceptives counter." Vey naughty. She got her item and rejoined the queue. She looked at me, and was so visibly embarrassed that I couldn't resist laughing, which obviously upset her even more. A juvenile, nasty side of me, but the story, alas, still makes me smile. ]]> Sherlock Holmes http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=17 http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=16 Wed, 07 May 2008 20:33:07 GMT To all your art and craft darlings,

Check out my etsyshop and post a "constructive critique" back here and I will critique any of your work etc.

I am all grown up and can take the bad and lots of the good , however I ask for "Constructive" critism.

Here it is:

www.madboodesigns.etsy.com


Thankyou:D

;)If you want to order anything just tell me that you are a Culture Vulture member and you will have FREE........................................
Shipping, Postage and Packing. (you must e-mail me via this site or madboodesigns@yahoo.co.uk before ordering (so I can adjust the payment etc)

Custom orders are welcome!:p ]]> Mad-boo http://www.culturevulture.uk.com/blog.php?b=16