Okay, I’ll try another tack. You’ve embraced digital photography, but could you describe your best/most expensive pre-digital camera rig? 
You see you’re on the wrong tack with me. It just this sort of thing I fight against in music, photography or any sort of art. Hardware helps but the creative process comes from within yourself, you can buy art but the creative process comes free of charge.
Camera Clubs are packed with people who own all the latest gear, they’re often the least talented in the club. However I’ve never been a member of a “Camera Club” I was a member of a “Photographic Society.” 
1 Like
I have been a member of some dodgy clubs as well 
Sorry I have used my member in some dodgy clubs is what I meant 
I was never a member of a photograhic society.
I read 1 photography book about technicalities
Won the only competition I ever entered.
Had 2 photos published in magazines
Had 1 photo as a complete Front Page and it was National News Photo of the year
Taken with a Canon sure shot point & shoot in automatic mode
Jason Howe of St James Motors?
I’ll try yet another then. We can drive modern cars far more quickly and efficiently than older ones, but you still maintain and use an ancient Karmann Ghia, and remember most if not all of the classics you’ve owned.
Blair, Tony
Tony Blair has 24/7 security, paid for by the UK taxpayer, for the rest of his life.
Given the cost, it would seem far cheaper to send him to the International Criminal Court and let them house him in a more secure environment.
I can remember staying up all night to watch the election results arrive in 1997 — celebrating the arrival of a new government after never knowing anything but Tory rule in my short living memory.
It was therefore something of a disappointment to see the UK government marching in lockstep with one of the most hawkish administrations the US had ever produced — lying its arse off so its friends across the pond could pursue their dreams of a New American Century.
Blair was eventually ousted by long-term colleague and rival Gordon Brown.
That’s likely the only punishment he’ll ever face — which seems poor justice for a man who set out to find weapons, but only found his own political destruction.
Blair operates part-time as a gargoyle these days.
No make-up or special costume is required.
He often shares a shift with Andrew Marr, who’s been doing the job for years.
1 Like
Blackadder
If it’s true that life imitates art as much as the other way round, then I suspect there are a lot of Edmund Blackadder types frustratingly making their way through middle management.
Forget the history dimension for a bit — Blackadder is all about those just outside command taking orders from those who do. It doesn’t matter if it’s Queenie, Prince George, or General Melchett — Blackadder’s curse is to suffer idiots from above and below, through all his heirs and for all of time.
The first season isn’t quite as funny as the rest, and Blackadder himself is one of the idiots in that incarnation — Baldrick is smarter! By the second series, the formula is well and truly set, although it never feels formulaic.
To this day, I find myself saying things that Edmund would say. I think a lot of people do. That’s the real magic of Blackadder. Its central conceit may root it in various pieces of history, but the character work is timeless.
Baldrick and Percy could walk into your office today and no-one would blink.
2 Likes
Baldrick works in my office today, unfortunately he works “with” me…
3 Likes
They are here and have desks
3 Likes
Blowback
Blowback is a concept comprehensible to schoolkids in the playground — yet one that seems to completely elude professional politicians.
By the age of about seven, most kids know that if they cause trouble, consequences will surely ensue. Most adults know that what goes around comes around. Which makes it all the more baffling that politicians can’t grasp it.
Blowback has come to visit. A lot.
-
“Hey, let’s prop up a puppet dictator in Iran!”
“I see no downsides!” -
“Hey, let’s arm the lads in Afghanistan fighting the Soviets!”
“What could possibly go wrong?” -
“Hey, let’s invade this country over there!”
“The people will see us as liberators through the struts of their bombed-out homes!”
I would leave all foreign policy decisions to people with recent experience of baby-proofing a home.
These people are masters of foreseeing disaster — and preventing domestic catastrophes, whether it’s a teetering flatscreen or a Marmite-laden slice of toast jammed into the satellite receiver.
They see danger coming.
2 Likes
Its a very extended family - I am looking at half a dozen of the cunts right now
Pap (you cunt etc). Nice thread.
The pictures are mostly really good. I’m curious though, what are you using to generate them? I am guessing at 4o but dunno for sure.
(When you get to K around about September time can you do a Komodo Dragon please. They’re fucking awesome.)
Hello Lurk,
Good to see you back. I’m a bit blind these days so am obviously not drawing these bastards myself.
I’m using Sora, which is probably the exact same thing as 4o rebranded.
Cheers Pap
Yeah just had a quick look and Sora and 4o are pretty much the same thing, both run by OpenAI. Both very impressive and interchangeable. Same as Gemini and VEO3.
Thanks for getting back to me… and keep this thread going, it’s a winner.
(Don’t forget, when you get to K you must do KOMODO DRAGON)
As payment for this you must post here, and on other threads, frequently.
And to banish any doubt frequently means at least twice a day…
Thank you
1 Like
Twice to me means posting 2 times. So OK, this is post 1 out of 2.
I turned 50 this year. I’m getting blinder, older and am now finding myself, for the first time, that I can write better than I can read.
I actually thought that I was a bit of a lazy bastard, but I’ve been messing about on forums like these for years. We’ve all probably done a few books worth with our cumulative contributions.
The Almanac is every stupid story I’ve told my kids, every absurdist post I’ve ever made, allowing me to leave a few truths in the texture of an absurd piece.
It’s something with a bit more structure than all the forum posts I did and something with a bit less structure than seasoned storytellers like @Waylander would do.
It’s easy to keep motivated and absurd when you can dick about with a single concept not worrying about continuity.
Glad you’re enjoying it.
1 Like
I learnt in the sandpit that every word you type gets read and filed
(Pegasus was allegedly pre instaled on every device)
Anyway, what that means is it must be more than 20 years sincce live Woodward was appointed by Rupert and I know most on here posted online then and before
Our bullshit ccould fill a Datacentre or 3. It is all stored somewhere