Sunday 13 January 2019

The Favourite



"Let us race Lobsters and then Eat Them."

I think this could be the reason for the Hebrew's prohibition on consuming shellfish -

Batman eats lobster by himself  whilst floating around the Bat-cave

Woody Allen and Annie Hall struggle together valiently against a squad of escaped lobsters which are rampaging through her kitchen; when the situation re-occurs towards the end of the film, with a new girlfriend, who refuses to help, just sits there and smokes, it serves to ultimately underline and finally illustrate to Woody Allen that he has lost something truly special - as this is not a woman he can contend with.

The subterranean inn in Pinocchio where The Fox and The Cat meet The Devil is The Red Lobster Inn - a Red Lobster is by definition a victim, otherwise it wouldn't be red;
It's red because it has been cooked, so not only is it a victim, it's a un-willing victim.

The Virgin (played by Mena Sauvari) in American Beauty, when trying to chat-up and seduce her best friend's father, speaks of weekly family meals at Red Lobster.


Women are Circular,
Men are Linear



“A lobster with high levels of serotonin and low levels of octopamine is a cocky, strutting sort of shellfish, much less likely to back down when challenged. This is because serotonin helps regulate postural flexion. A flexed lobster extends its appendages so that it can look tall and dangerous, like Clint Eastwood in a spaghetti Western. 

When a lobster that has just lost a battle is exposed to serotonin, it will stretch itself out, advance even on former victors, and fight longer and harder.  The drugs prescribed to depressed human beings, which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, have much the same chemical and behavioural effect. In one of the more staggering demonstrations of the evolutionary continuity of life on Earth, Prozac even cheers up lobsters. 

High serotonin/ low octopamine characterizes the victor. The opposite neurochemical configuration, a high ratio of octopamine to serotonin, produces a defeated-looking, scrunched-up, inhibited, drooping, skulking sort of lobster, very likely to hang around street corners, and to vanish at the first hint of trouble. Serotonin and octopamine also regulate the tail-flick reflex, which serves to propel a lobster rapidly backwards when it needs to escape. 

Less provocation is necessary to trigger that reflex in a defeated lobster. You can see an echo of that in the heightened startle reflex characteristic of the soldier or battered child with post-traumatic stress disorder.”










"Let us race Lobsters and then Eat Them."






































Friday 11 January 2019

Space


" Well, I suppose you all know the old story about The Astronaut who went far out into Space, and was asked on his return if he had been to Heaven and seen God. 

And he said 
“Yes.”

So they said 
“Well, What About God?”  

And he said, 
“She is Black.”



+




The Mirror Trick : A Field in England




Strives-with-God:
Friend. My business with Your Man is concluded.
If 'tis all the same, I might bob off now.
I confess I feel peaky. Could you do a few hours' kip?



O'Neil:

Do not address me as 'friend' and do not speak to me directly again.
Otherwise I'll turn you into a frog.







You may still catch your quarry single-handed.
There, now you're a soldier.

I am no soldier.


Will he find you running away?
He will not, sir.
Not this time.


You think there was...
You think there was Treasure in this field?
The treasure is here between us, is it not, friend?

Huh!
A pretty sentiment.
But you will no doubt starve on your own.

The Mirror Trick : The Cave of Nightmares Beneath The Evil Tree




What’s In There?

Only That Which You Take With You.

Thursday 10 January 2019

Courageous and Creative Living



“ The inspirational teachings in this collection show that The Real Way of The Warrior is based on Compassion, Wisdom, Fearlessness, and Love of Nature. 

The teachings are drawn from the talks and writings of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of the popular Japanese martial art of Aikido, a mind-body discipline he called the “Art of Peace,” which offers a nonviolent way to Victory in the face of Conflict. 

Ueshiba believed that Aikido principles could be applied to all the challenges we face in Life—in personal relationships, as we interact with Society, and at Work and in Business.



“Aikido is the Way of Harmony. 

It brings together people of all races and manifests the original form of all things. 

The Universe has a single source, and from that core all things emerged in a cosmic pattern. 

At the end of WWII, it become clear that the world needed to be purified of filth and degradation, and that is why Aikido emerged. 

In order to eliminate war, deception, greed, and hatred, the gods of peace and harmony manifested their powers. 

All of us in this world are members of the same family, and we should work together to make discord and war disappear from our midst. 

Without Love, our nation, the world, and the universe will be destroyed. 
Love generates Heat and Light. 

Those two elements are actualized in physical form as Aikido. As the last aspect of creation, human beings came into existence as an actualization of all higher powers. 

Human beings represent all of creation and we must bring the divine plan to fruition. 

The purpose of education is to open your spirit. Modern education has forgotten this. 

The entire Universe is a huge open book, full of miraculous things, and that is where true learning must be sought. 

In that spirit, take responsibility, train hard, develop yourselves, bloom in this world, and bear fruit.”




Oh, there it is. The silly old universe.
The more I save it, the more it needs saving. It's a treadmill.
 
Yes, yes, I know. 
They'll get it all wrong without me. 

I suppose one more lifetime wouldn't kill anyone. 

Well, except me.

You wait a moment, Doctor.
Let's get it right. 
I've got a few things to say to you. 

Basic Stuff first. 

Never be cruel, 
Never be cowardly, 
and 
Never, ever eat pears! 
Remember -
Hate is always Foolish
and 
Love is always Wise. 

Always try to be nice, 
but never fail to be kind. 

Oh, and you mustn't tell anyone your name. 
No one would understand it, anyway. 
Except, ah! 

Except children.

 Children can hear it sometimes. 
If their hearts are in the right place, and the stars are too, children can hear your name. 

Argh! But nobody else.
Nobody else, ever.
 
Laugh Hard
Run Fast
Be Kind

Doctor - I let you go. 






(The TARDIS materialises.
OUR LADY : 
Don't shoot!
 
A DALEK Named 'FRED' :
- In Honour of Alfred The Great -
EXTERMINATE! 

(The energy blast illuminates a forcefield around the TARDIS.)
 
OUR LADY :
Do you think I'm daft enough to stand here without shields? 
It's safe, gang! 

DALEK-FRED : 
Hide behind your shield, Doctor, you and your human friends. 

You have failed. 
OUR LADY :
Say hello to a Dalek.

DALEK-FRED : 
Signal activation in nine rels. The fleet shall be summoned.
 
OUR LADY :  
No, it won't. 
No matter how many times you try, 
No matter how long you wait, 
I'll always be in your way
Backed up by The Best of Humanity. 
Now, final, final, final warning, 
‘cos I'm nice
( I really do try my best. )

Stop the signal, get off this planet.
 
DALEK-FRED : 
You are not my commander.

OUR LADY :
 I tried. You heard me, right? 
I tried! I gave it a chance. 

YAZ :
Yeah. 

O-RYAN: 
Yep. 

GRAHAM: 
You did. 

OUR LADY: 
I'm fast enough, right? 
 I'm fast enough for this plan? 

O-RYAN: 
Er, probably. 

YAZ :
 
Maybe. 

GRAHAM:
 
Possibly.

OUR LADY :
Well, that one needs work. 
Here's a New Year message for you to send. Earth is protected by me and my mates, this year and every other. 

Here we go!

(She sonicks off the forcefield and runs to our left while the others go right.)

DALEK-FRED :
 
Exterminate The Doctor! 
The Doctor must be destroyed!

(She slides up behind the Dalek.)

OUR LADY :
Now, gang!


On the First Day 
of The Year 2019, 
Across the Land and Sky of Britain,
An Army of Unlikely Friends 
came together to face 
An Impossible Opponent
 and 
Prevailed.

Wednesday 9 January 2019

Prydonian Pazzis


Celestial Intervention Agency,
they get their fingers into everything...





renege (v.)

1540s, "deny, renounce, abandon," from Medieval Latin renegare, from Latin re-, here probably an intensive prefix, + negare"refuse," from PIE root *ne- "not." Meaning "change one's mind" is from 1784. Related: Renegedreneging.





Tuesday 8 January 2019

Marry! The Demons of The Punjab



Finally Got That One.

Go — Run, You Clever Girl.

And Be a Doctor.




“Can You Marry Us, Doctor?”


Marry: used in several ways _ it can introduce a statement, meaning something like, ‘listen’, or ‘I agree’, or ‘indeed’ or ‘well’. 


It’s an oath by the Virgin Mary.


Example from Shakespeare:


Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you that decerns you nearly.’ – Dogberry to Leontes, telling him about Don John’s plot. (Much Ado About Nothing)



I’m completely married, I’ve just never been wedded to anyone —


I just realised.... “Marry Me” is a REALLY Toxic request....


Marry yourself as much as you can before becoming wedded to anyone — you can’t expect them to do it for you....


Monday 7 January 2019

That’s How I Survived










“Being monkeys, when we encounter a translinguistic object, a kind of cognitive dissonance is set up in our hindbrain. 

We try to pour language over it and it sheds it like water off a duck's back. 

We try again and fail again, and this cognitive dissonance, this "wow" or "flutter" that is building off this object causes wonder, astonishment, and awe at the brink of terror. 

One must control that. 

And the way to control it is to do what the entities are telling one to do, to do what they are doing.”

Terence McKenna

Deacon










deacon /ˈdiːk(ə)n/ 
noun 
noun: deacon; plural noun: deacons 

1. (in Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox Churches) an ordained minister of an order ranking below that of priest. 

[ By Implication : Less Than a Xenomorph - Lacking Higher Intellect or a Soul

(in some Nonconformist Churches) a lay officer appointed to assist a minister, especially in secular affairs. 

HISTORICAL 
(in the early church) a minister appointed to administer charity.

Tilting at Windmills









Tilting at Windmills

I see What You Did There -

I love Qixotic Jokes.















ROOSEVELT: 
Where's Jax?
I hear he's your new president.

CHIBS: 
He's not here.

What do you want?

ROOSEVELT: 
Are you guys aware of the violence that's happening in Charming?

Two home invasions in less than a week.

CHIBS: 
Contrary to popular belief... we can read.

TIG: 
Why, you think we had something to do with it?

ROOSEVELT: 
Three weeks ago an unidentified man ran down Veronica Pope in what we can assume was an attempted hit on Laroy Wayne.

No witnesses came forward yet, but... some folks are saying that they saw the One-Niners chasing after a group of guys on motorcycles.

CHIBS: 
Really?

ROOSEVELT: 
First home invasion was Lynette Brice, one of your croweaters.

2:30 this morning, Wade Steiner was attacked in his own kitchen.

He's a mechanic here at the TM.

Do you, uh, see the pattern here?

If these home invasions are retaliation by Pope or the Niners...

TIG: 
We ain't heard of any beefs, man.

ROOSEVELT: 
No?

TIG: 
No.

ROOSEVELT: 
Hm.

Then who would attack your auto parts truck outside of Modesto last night?

HAPPY: 
Angry Pirates.

ROOSEVELT: 
I don't give a shit if Pope blows up every goddamn truck of yours, but not in my quadrant.

One innocent gets hurt, and I make Pope look like an altar boy, you understand?

CHIBS: 
I see what you did there.

I love Catholic jokes.

TIG: 
You know, remember the two nuns?

CHIBS: 
Yeah.

TIG: - 
They walk into a dyke bar... 

CHIBS: - 
Hey! Bobby!

(laughing)





Mr. Pond


So Mary Poppins put on her white gloves and tucked her umbrella under her arm –not because it was raining but because it had such a beautiful handle that she couldn’t possibly leave it at home. 

How could you leave your umbrella behind if it had a parrot’s head for a handle? 

Besides, Mary Poppins was very vain and liked to look her best. 

Indeed, she was quite sure that she never looked anything else.

DOCTOR: 
One mistake and the whole time line could collapse. 
We could end up with two Amy Ponds for ever, and then what would you do?

(Rory turns to Amy, finger raised. She slaps him.)

DOCTOR: 
Okay, you. Into the police box now. 

AMY: 
And then I become her?

DOCTOR: 
Yes. Go, go, go!

AMY: 
Do I really look like that?

AMY 2: 
Yeah. Yeah, you do.

AMY: 
Ooo. Nice choice for your driving lessons. 

AMY 2: 
I bet you would.

DOCTOR: 
Oh, this is how it all ends. 

Pond flirting with herself. 
True love at last. 

Oh, sorry, Rory.

The Mirror Trick





Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;


Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.





Dieting w. Dr. Gonzo







See — to Other People....


This probably sounds like a lot of fun —


IT ISN’T — That’s SACRIFICE...

The Soul of The Age



“I asked Mel to present this award for me for a reason.

When I couldn’t get sober, he told me not to give up hope and encouraged me to find my faith. 





It didn’t have to be his or anyone else’s as long as it was rooted in forgiveness

And I couldn’t get hired, so he cast me in the lead of a movie that was actually developed for him




He kept a roof over my head 
and 
food on the table 

and most importantly,

He said if 

I accepted responsibility for my wrongdoing 

and 

Embraced that part of my soul that was ugly 

hugging the cactus, he calls it — 

He said that if I hugged the cactus long enough, I’d becom

A Man of Some Substance.



So, I did, and it worked.



All he asked in return was that someday I help The Next Guy in some small way





...it’s reasonable to assume at the time he didn’t imagine the next guy would be him or that 'someday' was tonight. 



So anyway on this special occasion and in light of the recent holidays, including   Columbus Day, I would ask that you join me, 

[ unless you are completely without sin in which case you picked the wrong f—ing industry

in forgiving my friend his trespasses and offering him the same clean slate you have me

Allowing him to continue his great and ongoing contribution to our collective art without shame. 

He’s hugged The Cactus long enough.