Jack Vettriano her Secret lifeJack Vettriano Her Secret Life IIJack Vettriano Heat Wave
wizards in there were actually doing, but because he strongly suspected that they didn't, either. They seemed to positively enjoy becoming less and less certain about everything and would come in to dinner saying things like 'Wow, we've just Ridcully pushed his way past him and into the HEM. It was unfamiliar ground for a traditional wizard. There wasn't a skull or dribbly candle to be seen; this particular room looked like an alchemist's laboratory had suffered the inevitable explosion and landed in a blacksmith's shopoverturned Marrowleaf's Theory of Thaumic Imponderability! Amazing!' as if it was something to be proud of, instead of gross discourtesy.And they were always talking about splitting the thaum, the smallest unit of magic. The Archchancellor couldn't see the point. So you had bits all over the place. What good would that do? The universewas bad enough without people poking it.The door opened.'Oh, it's you, Archchancellor.'Ridcully pushed the door open further."Morning, Stibbons. Glad to see you're up and about early.'Ponder Stibbons, the faculty's youngest member, blinked at the sky.'Is it morning already?' he said.
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Monday, 11 May 2009
Salvador Dali Leda Atomica
Salvador Dali Leda AtomicaJoseph Mallord William Turner The Grand Canal VeniceJoseph Mallord William Turner PortsmouthJohn Singer Sargent Lady Agnew
think I change my name,' said Lias, eventually. 'I mean . . . Lias? Not a good name for the music business.'
'What'll you change it to?' said Glod.
'I thought . . . Imp is sticking with Imp, right?'
Imp looked at the guitar. It's not right, he thought. I hardly touched it. I just . . . And I feel so tired . . .
'Not sure,' he said, wretchedly. 'Not sure if Imp is the right name for . . . this music.' His voice trailed off. He yawned.
'Imp?' said Glod, after a while.
'Hmm?' said Imp. And he'd felt someone was watching him out there. That was daft, of course. He couldn't say to someone 'I was on stage and I thought someone was watching me'. They'd say 'Really? That's really occult, that is . . .'
'Imp?' said Glod, 'why're you snapping your fingers like that?'
Imp looked down.don't laugh . . . I thought . . . Cliff?' said Lias.'Cliff?''Good troll name. Very stony. Very rocky. Nothing wrong with it,' said Cliff né Lias, defensively.'Well . . . yes . . . but, I dunno, I mean . . . well . . . Cliff? Can't see anyone lasting long in this business with a name like Cliff.''Better than Glod, anyway.''I'm sticking with Glod,' said Glod. 'And
think I change my name,' said Lias, eventually. 'I mean . . . Lias? Not a good name for the music business.'
'What'll you change it to?' said Glod.
'I thought . . . Imp is sticking with Imp, right?'
Imp looked at the guitar. It's not right, he thought. I hardly touched it. I just . . . And I feel so tired . . .
'Not sure,' he said, wretchedly. 'Not sure if Imp is the right name for . . . this music.' His voice trailed off. He yawned.
'Imp?' said Glod, after a while.
'Hmm?' said Imp. And he'd felt someone was watching him out there. That was daft, of course. He couldn't say to someone 'I was on stage and I thought someone was watching me'. They'd say 'Really? That's really occult, that is . . .'
'Imp?' said Glod, 'why're you snapping your fingers like that?'
Imp looked down.don't laugh . . . I thought . . . Cliff?' said Lias.'Cliff?''Good troll name. Very stony. Very rocky. Nothing wrong with it,' said Cliff né Lias, defensively.'Well . . . yes . . . but, I dunno, I mean . . . well . . . Cliff? Can't see anyone lasting long in this business with a name like Cliff.''Better than Glod, anyway.''I'm sticking with Glod,' said Glod. 'And
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Thomas Kinkade Footprints in the sand
Thomas Kinkade Footprints in the sandThomas Kinkade Fisherman's WharfThomas Kinkade elegant eveningThomas Kinkade Cobblestone Evening
thinking,' he muttered. 'That's the stuff Now, a wolf, your basic wolf, he'd jump, and if he couldn't jump, he'd be stuck. Whereas me, on account of uperior intelligence, can assess the whole wossname and arrive at a solution through application of mental processes.'
He nudged the gargoyle squatting on the angle of the gutter.
'Ot oo oo ont?'
'If you don't help me down to that balcony, I'll widdk in your ear.'
BIG FIDO?
'Yes?'it until Big Fido came back.
His collar was kept in a secret place and visited regularly by dogs until they forgot about it.
Sergeant Colon pushed open the door with the end of his pike.
The Tower had floors, a long time ago. Now it was hollow all the way up, criss-crossed by golden shafts of light from ancient window embrasures.HEEL. There were, eventually, two theories about the end of Big Fido.The one put forward by the dog Gaspode, based on observational evidence, was that his remains were picked up by Foul Ole Ron and sold within five minutes to a furrier, and that Big Fido eventually saw the light of day again as a set of ear muffs and a pair of fleecy gloves.The one believed by every other dog, based on what might tentatively be called the truth of the heart, was that he survived his fall, fled the city, and eventually led a huge pack of mountain wolves who nightly struck terror into isolated farmsteads. It made digging in the middens and hanging around back doors for scraps seem . . . well, more bearable. They were, after all, only doing
thinking,' he muttered. 'That's the stuff Now, a wolf, your basic wolf, he'd jump, and if he couldn't jump, he'd be stuck. Whereas me, on account of uperior intelligence, can assess the whole wossname and arrive at a solution through application of mental processes.'
He nudged the gargoyle squatting on the angle of the gutter.
'Ot oo oo ont?'
'If you don't help me down to that balcony, I'll widdk in your ear.'
BIG FIDO?
'Yes?'it until Big Fido came back.
His collar was kept in a secret place and visited regularly by dogs until they forgot about it.
Sergeant Colon pushed open the door with the end of his pike.
The Tower had floors, a long time ago. Now it was hollow all the way up, criss-crossed by golden shafts of light from ancient window embrasures.HEEL. There were, eventually, two theories about the end of Big Fido.The one put forward by the dog Gaspode, based on observational evidence, was that his remains were picked up by Foul Ole Ron and sold within five minutes to a furrier, and that Big Fido eventually saw the light of day again as a set of ear muffs and a pair of fleecy gloves.The one believed by every other dog, based on what might tentatively be called the truth of the heart, was that he survived his fall, fled the city, and eventually led a huge pack of mountain wolves who nightly struck terror into isolated farmsteads. It made digging in the middens and hanging around back doors for scraps seem . . . well, more bearable. They were, after all, only doing
Monday, 4 May 2009
Pop art king elvis on red
Pop art king elvis on redPop art kim gordon on bluePop art green on green
yes. Boffo was on gate duty and he distinctly remembers him going out.'
'He knows it 'If only he'd stuck to something, you know, original,' said Dr Whiteface.
'Like a bucket of whitewash over the door, or a custard pie?' said Sergeant Colon.
'That's right!'
'Well, we might as well be going,' said Carrot. 'was him?'Dr Whiteface looked blank.'Of course.''How?''How? He recognized him, of course. That's how you know who people are. You look at them and you say . . . that's him. That's called re-cog-nit-ion,' said the clown, with pointed deliberation. 'It was Beano. Boffo said he looked very worried.''Ah. Fine. No more questions, doctor. Did Beano have any friends among the Assassins?''Well . . . possibly, possibly. We don't discourage visitors.'Carrot stared at the clown's face. Then he smiled.'Of course. Well, that about wraps it all up, I think.'
yes. Boffo was on gate duty and he distinctly remembers him going out.'
'He knows it 'If only he'd stuck to something, you know, original,' said Dr Whiteface.
'Like a bucket of whitewash over the door, or a custard pie?' said Sergeant Colon.
'That's right!'
'Well, we might as well be going,' said Carrot. 'was him?'Dr Whiteface looked blank.'Of course.''How?''How? He recognized him, of course. That's how you know who people are. You look at them and you say . . . that's him. That's called re-cog-nit-ion,' said the clown, with pointed deliberation. 'It was Beano. Boffo said he looked very worried.''Ah. Fine. No more questions, doctor. Did Beano have any friends among the Assassins?''Well . . . possibly, possibly. We don't discourage visitors.'Carrot stared at the clown's face. Then he smiled.'Of course. Well, that about wraps it all up, I think.'
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Lord Frederick Leighton Leighton Idyll
Lord Frederick Leighton Leighton IdyllLord Frederick Leighton The Painter's HoneymoonLord Frederick Leighton Leighton Mother and ChildLord Frederick Leighton Leighton Music Lesson
Dibbler peered at the down forgotten walls.
He walked down several narrow flights of steps and along a passage to a door, which he unlocked. It swung back on well-oiled hinges.
It was not, exactly, a dungeon; the room on the other side was quite airy and well lit by several large but high windows. It had a smell of wood shavings and glue.
'Look out!'
The Patrician ducked.broken remains of the cart. His lips moved as he calculated.'Here!' he shouted. 'You owe – hey, you owe me for three rats!' Lord Vetinari had felt slightly ashamed when he watched the door close behind Captain Vimes. He couldn't work out why. Of course, it was hard on the man, but it was the only way . . .He took a key from a cabinet by his desk and walked over to the wall. His hands touched a mark on the plaster that was apparently no different from a dozen other marks, but this one caused a section of wall to swing aside on well-oiled hinges.No-one knew all the passages and tunnels hidden in the walls of the Palace; it was said that some of them went a lot further than that. And there were any amount of old cellars under the city. A man with a pick-axe and a sense of direction could go where he liked just by knocking
Dibbler peered at the down forgotten walls.
He walked down several narrow flights of steps and along a passage to a door, which he unlocked. It swung back on well-oiled hinges.
It was not, exactly, a dungeon; the room on the other side was quite airy and well lit by several large but high windows. It had a smell of wood shavings and glue.
'Look out!'
The Patrician ducked.broken remains of the cart. His lips moved as he calculated.'Here!' he shouted. 'You owe – hey, you owe me for three rats!' Lord Vetinari had felt slightly ashamed when he watched the door close behind Captain Vimes. He couldn't work out why. Of course, it was hard on the man, but it was the only way . . .He took a key from a cabinet by his desk and walked over to the wall. His hands touched a mark on the plaster that was apparently no different from a dozen other marks, but this one caused a section of wall to swing aside on well-oiled hinges.No-one knew all the passages and tunnels hidden in the walls of the Palace; it was said that some of them went a lot further than that. And there were any amount of old cellars under the city. A man with a pick-axe and a sense of direction could go where he liked just by knocking
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Marc Chagall The Concert
Marc Chagall The ConcertPaul Gauguin When Will You MarryPaul Gauguin What Are You JealousPaul Gauguin Two Tahitian Women
the weight of all them rhinestones.'
'I expect it was.'
'They let me do pretty much as I like,' said Gaspode.
'I can see that.'
'Sometimes I don't go home for, oh, days at a time.'
'Right?'
'Weeks, sometimes.'
'Sure.'
'But Gaspode whimpered a little.
'You want to be careful, you know. A young bitch like you can meet real trouble in this dog's city.'
They had reached the wooden jetty behind Hammer-hock's workshop.
'How d'you—' Angua paused.
There was a mixture of smells here, but the overpowering one was as sharp as a saw.
'Fireworks?'they're always so glad to see me when I do,' said Gaspode.'I thought you said you slept up at the University,' said Angua, as they dodged a cart in Rime Street.For a moment Gaspode smelled uncertain, but he recovered magnificently.'Yeah, right,' he said. 'We-ell, you know how it is, families . . . All them kids picking you up, giving you biscuits and similar, people pattin' you the whole time. Gets on yer nerves. So I sleeps up there quite often.''Right.''More often than not, point of fact.''Really?'
the weight of all them rhinestones.'
'I expect it was.'
'They let me do pretty much as I like,' said Gaspode.
'I can see that.'
'Sometimes I don't go home for, oh, days at a time.'
'Right?'
'Weeks, sometimes.'
'Sure.'
'But Gaspode whimpered a little.
'You want to be careful, you know. A young bitch like you can meet real trouble in this dog's city.'
They had reached the wooden jetty behind Hammer-hock's workshop.
'How d'you—' Angua paused.
There was a mixture of smells here, but the overpowering one was as sharp as a saw.
'Fireworks?'they're always so glad to see me when I do,' said Gaspode.'I thought you said you slept up at the University,' said Angua, as they dodged a cart in Rime Street.For a moment Gaspode smelled uncertain, but he recovered magnificently.'Yeah, right,' he said. 'We-ell, you know how it is, families . . . All them kids picking you up, giving you biscuits and similar, people pattin' you the whole time. Gets on yer nerves. So I sleeps up there quite often.''Right.''More often than not, point of fact.''Really?'
Monday, 27 April 2009
Rene Magritte Homesickness
Rene Magritte HomesicknessArthur Hughes PhyllisFranz Marc Zwei KatzenFranz Marc yellow cow
brass plaque beside the gates said: The Ankh-Morpork Sunshine Sanctuary for Sick Dragons.
There was a small and hollow and pathetic dragon made out of papier-mache and holding a collection box, chained very heavily to the But they'd been thrown together like twigs in a whirlpool, and had yielded to the inevitable . . .
When he was a little boy, Sam Vimes had thought that the very rich ate off gold plates and lived in marble houses.
He'd learned something new: the very very rich could afford to be poor. Sybil Ramkin lived in the kind of poverty that was only available to the very rich, a poverty approached from the other side. Women who were merely well-off saved up and bought wall, and bearing the sign: Don't Let My Flame Go Out.This was where Lady Sybil Ramkin spent most of her days.She was, Vimes had been told, the richest woman in Ankh-Morpork. In fact she was richer than all the other women in Ankh-Morpork rolled, if that were possible, into one.It was going to be a strange wedding, people said. Vimes treated his social superiors with barely concealed distaste, because the women made his head ache and the men made his fists itch. And Sybil Ramkin was the last survivor of one of the oldest families in Ankh.
brass plaque beside the gates said: The Ankh-Morpork Sunshine Sanctuary for Sick Dragons.
There was a small and hollow and pathetic dragon made out of papier-mache and holding a collection box, chained very heavily to the But they'd been thrown together like twigs in a whirlpool, and had yielded to the inevitable . . .
When he was a little boy, Sam Vimes had thought that the very rich ate off gold plates and lived in marble houses.
He'd learned something new: the very very rich could afford to be poor. Sybil Ramkin lived in the kind of poverty that was only available to the very rich, a poverty approached from the other side. Women who were merely well-off saved up and bought wall, and bearing the sign: Don't Let My Flame Go Out.This was where Lady Sybil Ramkin spent most of her days.She was, Vimes had been told, the richest woman in Ankh-Morpork. In fact she was richer than all the other women in Ankh-Morpork rolled, if that were possible, into one.It was going to be a strange wedding, people said. Vimes treated his social superiors with barely concealed distaste, because the women made his head ache and the men made his fists itch. And Sybil Ramkin was the last survivor of one of the oldest families in Ankh.
Friday, 24 April 2009
George Frederick Watts Charity
George Frederick Watts CharityFrancisco de Goya Nude MajaFrancisco de Goya Clothed MajaEdgar Degas The Rehearsal
Magrat down. “I won’t say she wasn’t good. But she wasn’t
good enough. And you certainly aren’t.”
Slowly and inexorably, Magrat was forced downward.
“Why don’t Queen’s face
was level with hers, “you’re nothing. It’s all in the mind,
isn’t it? Without the glamour, you’re—“
l an almost triangular face, a tiny mouth, the nose hard-ly existing at all, but eyes larger than human eyes and now focused on Magrat in pinpoint terror.
“Iron,” whispered the Queen. Her hands gripped Magrat’s arms. There was no strength there. An elfs strength lay in persuading others they were weak.
Magrat could feel her desperately trying to enter her mind, but it wasn’t working. The helmet—
l was lying several feet away, in the mud.you try some magic?” said the Queen.Magrat kicked. Her foot caught the Queen on the knee,and she heard a crack. As she staggered back Magratlaunched herself forward and caught her around the waist,bearing her to the ground.She was amazed at the lightness. Magrat was skinnyenough, but the Queen seemed to have no weight at all.“Why,” she said, pulling herself up until the
Magrat down. “I won’t say she wasn’t good. But she wasn’t
good enough. And you certainly aren’t.”
Slowly and inexorably, Magrat was forced downward.
“Why don’t Queen’s face
was level with hers, “you’re nothing. It’s all in the mind,
isn’t it? Without the glamour, you’re—“
l an almost triangular face, a tiny mouth, the nose hard-ly existing at all, but eyes larger than human eyes and now focused on Magrat in pinpoint terror.
“Iron,” whispered the Queen. Her hands gripped Magrat’s arms. There was no strength there. An elfs strength lay in persuading others they were weak.
Magrat could feel her desperately trying to enter her mind, but it wasn’t working. The helmet—
l was lying several feet away, in the mud.you try some magic?” said the Queen.Magrat kicked. Her foot caught the Queen on the knee,and she heard a crack. As she staggered back Magratlaunched herself forward and caught her around the waist,bearing her to the ground.She was amazed at the lightness. Magrat was skinnyenough, but the Queen seemed to have no weight at all.“Why,” she said, pulling herself up until the
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Edmund Blair Leighton Stitching the Standard
Edmund Blair Leighton Stitching the StandardFrancois Boucher Nude on a SofaFrank Dicksee La Belle Dame Sans MerciBenjamin Williams Leader The Last Gleam, Wargrave on Thames
various terrified daughters-in-law.
“It must be especially lonely at night,” said Casanunda, out of habit as much as anything else.
“Well, there’s . But wasps
200
LQR06 ft/VD Lft0f£6
were adept at finding the odd chink in the woodwork around the back somewhere and the sleek little devils’d be in and robbing the hive before you knew it. Funny. The bees in the hive’d let them do it, too. They guarded the entrance, but if a wasp found another way in, they didn’t know what to do.
He gave the plunger a push. A stream of liquid bubbled out and left a smoking streak on the floor.Greebo,” said Nanny “He keeps my feet warm.”“Greebo—““The cat. I say, do you think there’s any pudding?”Later, she asked for a doggy bottle.Mr. Brooks the beekeeper ladled some greenish, foul-smelling liquid out of the saucepan that was always simmer-ing in his secret hut, and filled his squirter.There was a wasps’ nest in the garden wall. It’d be a mortuary by morning.That was the thing about bees. They always guarded theentrance to the hive, with their lives if necessary
various terrified daughters-in-law.
“It must be especially lonely at night,” said Casanunda, out of habit as much as anything else.
“Well, there’s . But wasps
200
LQR06 ft/VD Lft0f£6
were adept at finding the odd chink in the woodwork around the back somewhere and the sleek little devils’d be in and robbing the hive before you knew it. Funny. The bees in the hive’d let them do it, too. They guarded the entrance, but if a wasp found another way in, they didn’t know what to do.
He gave the plunger a push. A stream of liquid bubbled out and left a smoking streak on the floor.Greebo,” said Nanny “He keeps my feet warm.”“Greebo—““The cat. I say, do you think there’s any pudding?”Later, she asked for a doggy bottle.Mr. Brooks the beekeeper ladled some greenish, foul-smelling liquid out of the saucepan that was always simmer-ing in his secret hut, and filled his squirter.There was a wasps’ nest in the garden wall. It’d be a mortuary by morning.That was the thing about bees. They always guarded theentrance to the hive, with their lives if necessary
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Mark Spain Dance I
Mark Spain Dance IMark Spain Crescendo IIMark Spain Crescendo I
Being Queen? It’s all tapestry and walking around in unsuitable dresses! I know Granny. She doesn’t like anything that’s . .. that’s got style and grace. She’s so sour.”
“I daresay she’s got her reasons,” said Nanny amiably. “Well, that’s got the girl patched up. What shall we do with her now?”
155
Terry Pratchett
“We’ve got dozens of spare bedrooms,” said Magrat, “and they’re all ready for the guests. We can put her in one of them. Um. Nanny?”
“Yes?”.
The cook here isn’t much good at canapes and things.”
Nanny looked carefully at the ceiling.
“And what about after that?” she said. “If you catch my meaning.”
“I’m getting a lot of girls in to do the clearing up. Look, don’t worry. I’ve thought “Would you like to be a bridesmaid?”“Not really, dear. Bit old for that sort of thing.” Nanny hovered. “There isn’t anything you need to ask me, though, is there?”“What do you mean?”“What with your mum being dead and you having no female relatives and everything...”Magrat still looked puzzled.“After the wedding, is what I’m hinting about,” said Nanny.“Oh, that. No, most of that’s being done by a caterer
Being Queen? It’s all tapestry and walking around in unsuitable dresses! I know Granny. She doesn’t like anything that’s . .. that’s got style and grace. She’s so sour.”
“I daresay she’s got her reasons,” said Nanny amiably. “Well, that’s got the girl patched up. What shall we do with her now?”
155
Terry Pratchett
“We’ve got dozens of spare bedrooms,” said Magrat, “and they’re all ready for the guests. We can put her in one of them. Um. Nanny?”
“Yes?”.
The cook here isn’t much good at canapes and things.”
Nanny looked carefully at the ceiling.
“And what about after that?” she said. “If you catch my meaning.”
“I’m getting a lot of girls in to do the clearing up. Look, don’t worry. I’ve thought “Would you like to be a bridesmaid?”“Not really, dear. Bit old for that sort of thing.” Nanny hovered. “There isn’t anything you need to ask me, though, is there?”“What do you mean?”“What with your mum being dead and you having no female relatives and everything...”Magrat still looked puzzled.“After the wedding, is what I’m hinting about,” said Nanny.“Oh, that. No, most of that’s being done by a caterer
Monday, 20 April 2009
Mark Spain Reflection
Mark Spain ReflectionMark Spain Pure EleganceMark Spain Only You
happens then is, the two queens—that’s the old queen,
right? and the new queen—the two queens start astalkin’
one another among the combs, with the rain adrummin’ on
the roof of the hive, and the business of the hive agoin’ on
all around them,” Mr. Brooks moved his hands graphically,
and Magrat the look of beehives, up until now.
“Many’s the time I’ve found a dead queen in front of the hive after a spell of wet weather,” said Mr. Brooks, happily. “Can’t abide another queen around the place, you know. And it’s a right old battle, too. The old queen’s more cun-nin’. But the new queen, she’s really got everything to fight for.”
“Sorry?”
“If she wants to be mated.”leaned forward, “all among the combs, thedrones all hummin’, and all the time they can sense oneanother, ‘cos they can tell, see, and then they spots oneanother and—““Yes? Yes?” said Magrat, leaning forward.“Slash! Stab!”Magrat hit her head on the wall of the hut.“Can’t have more’n one queen in a hive,” said Mr.Brooks calmly.Magrat looked out at the hives. She’d always liked
happens then is, the two queens—that’s the old queen,
right? and the new queen—the two queens start astalkin’
one another among the combs, with the rain adrummin’ on
the roof of the hive, and the business of the hive agoin’ on
all around them,” Mr. Brooks moved his hands graphically,
and Magrat the look of beehives, up until now.
“Many’s the time I’ve found a dead queen in front of the hive after a spell of wet weather,” said Mr. Brooks, happily. “Can’t abide another queen around the place, you know. And it’s a right old battle, too. The old queen’s more cun-nin’. But the new queen, she’s really got everything to fight for.”
“Sorry?”
“If she wants to be mated.”leaned forward, “all among the combs, thedrones all hummin’, and all the time they can sense oneanother, ‘cos they can tell, see, and then they spots oneanother and—““Yes? Yes?” said Magrat, leaning forward.“Slash! Stab!”Magrat hit her head on the wall of the hut.“Can’t have more’n one queen in a hive,” said Mr.Brooks calmly.Magrat looked out at the hives. She’d always liked
Friday, 17 April 2009
Cao Yong Freedom
Cao Yong FreedomCao Yong Day of LoveCao Yong COOL WATER
this the same consideration as would a nuclear physicist who’d just been told that someone was bang-ing two bits of sub-critical uranium together to keep warm.
“They never,” she said.
“They have. And another thing ...”
It was hard to imagine what other thing there could be, but Nanny Ogg said “Yes?” anyway.
“Not that many wizards were aware of this. For roost of the wizards of Unseen University their lunch was the first meal of the day. They were not, by and large, breakfast people. The Archchancellor and the Librarian were the only two who knew what the dawn looked like from the front, and they tended to have the entire campus to themselves for several hours.
The Librarian was always up early because he was an orang-utan, and they are naturally early risers, although in his case he didn’t bellow a few times to keep other males off his territory. He just unlocked the Library Someone got killed up here.”“ “Oh, no,” moaned Nanny Ogg. “Not inside the circle too.”“Nope. Don’t be daft. It was outside. A tall man. He had one leg longer’n the other. And a beard. He was probably Terry Pratchett“How’d you know all that?”“I just trod on ‘im.”The sun rose through the mists.The morning rays were already caressing the ancient stones of Unseen University, premier college of wizardry, five hun-dred miles away.
this the same consideration as would a nuclear physicist who’d just been told that someone was bang-ing two bits of sub-critical uranium together to keep warm.
“They never,” she said.
“They have. And another thing ...”
It was hard to imagine what other thing there could be, but Nanny Ogg said “Yes?” anyway.
“Not that many wizards were aware of this. For roost of the wizards of Unseen University their lunch was the first meal of the day. They were not, by and large, breakfast people. The Archchancellor and the Librarian were the only two who knew what the dawn looked like from the front, and they tended to have the entire campus to themselves for several hours.
The Librarian was always up early because he was an orang-utan, and they are naturally early risers, although in his case he didn’t bellow a few times to keep other males off his territory. He just unlocked the Library Someone got killed up here.”“ “Oh, no,” moaned Nanny Ogg. “Not inside the circle too.”“Nope. Don’t be daft. It was outside. A tall man. He had one leg longer’n the other. And a beard. He was probably Terry Pratchett“How’d you know all that?”“I just trod on ‘im.”The sun rose through the mists.The morning rays were already caressing the ancient stones of Unseen University, premier college of wizardry, five hun-dred miles away.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Claude Monet Monet Spring Flowers
Claude Monet Monet Spring FlowersClaude Monet The Red Boats ArgenteuilClaude Monet Poplars on the Epte
remembered Didactylos saying the world was a funny place. And, he thought distantly, it really was. Here people were about to roast someone to death, but they'd left his loin-cloth on, out of respectability. You had to laugh. Otherwise you'd go mad.
"You know," he said, turning to Simony. "Now I know Vorbis is evil. He burned my city. Well, the Tsorteans do it sometimes, and weI'm sure of-maybe four hundred on our side. So I give the signal and a few hundred of us attack thousands of them? And he dies anyway and we die too? What difference does that make?"
Urn's face was gray with horror now.
"You mean you don't know?" he said.
Some of the crowd looked round curiously at him.
"You don't know?" he said. burn theirs. It's just war. It's all part of history. And he lies and cheats and claws power for himself, and lots of people do that, too. But do you know what's special? Do you know what it is?""Of course," said Simony. "It's what he's doing to-”"It's what he's done to you.""What?""He turns other people into copies of himself."Simony's grip was like a vice. "You're saying I'm like him?""Once you said you'd cut him down," said Urn. "Now you're thinking like him . . ."So we rush them, then?" said Simony. "
remembered Didactylos saying the world was a funny place. And, he thought distantly, it really was. Here people were about to roast someone to death, but they'd left his loin-cloth on, out of respectability. You had to laugh. Otherwise you'd go mad.
"You know," he said, turning to Simony. "Now I know Vorbis is evil. He burned my city. Well, the Tsorteans do it sometimes, and weI'm sure of-maybe four hundred on our side. So I give the signal and a few hundred of us attack thousands of them? And he dies anyway and we die too? What difference does that make?"
Urn's face was gray with horror now.
"You mean you don't know?" he said.
Some of the crowd looked round curiously at him.
"You don't know?" he said. burn theirs. It's just war. It's all part of history. And he lies and cheats and claws power for himself, and lots of people do that, too. But do you know what's special? Do you know what it is?""Of course," said Simony. "It's what he's doing to-”"It's what he's done to you.""What?""He turns other people into copies of himself."Simony's grip was like a vice. "You're saying I'm like him?""Once you said you'd cut him down," said Urn. "Now you're thinking like him . . ."So we rush them, then?" said Simony. "
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Joseph Mallord William Turner The Slave Ship
Joseph Mallord William Turner The Slave ShipJoseph Mallord William Turner The fighting Temeraire tugged to her last berth to be broken upJoseph Mallord William Turner The Burning of the Houses of Parliament
Brutha awoke with the smell of the sea in his nostrils. At least it was what people think of as the smell of the sea, which is the stink of antique fish and rotten seaweed.
He was in someplace inside our head? What did you go and do that for?"
"I . . . don't know. It seemed like . . . the next thing to do. Where are you?"
"Your soldier friend has got me in his pack. Thanks for looking after me so carefully, by the way."
Brutha managed to get to his feet. The world revolved round him for a moment, adding a third astronomical theory to the two currently occupying the minds of local thinkers. sort of shed. Such light as managed to come through its one unglazed window was red, and flickered. One end of the shed was open to the water. The ruddy light showed a few figures clustered around something there.Brutha gently probed the contents of his memory. Everything seemed to be there, the Library scrolls neatly arranged. The words were as meaningless to him as any other written word, but the pictures were interesting. More interesting than most things in his memory, anyway.He sat up, carefully."You're awake, then," said the voice of Om, in his head. "Feel a bit full, do we? Feel a bit like a stack of shelves? Feel like we've got big notices saying "SILENCIOS!" all over the
Brutha awoke with the smell of the sea in his nostrils. At least it was what people think of as the smell of the sea, which is the stink of antique fish and rotten seaweed.
He was in someplace inside our head? What did you go and do that for?"
"I . . . don't know. It seemed like . . . the next thing to do. Where are you?"
"Your soldier friend has got me in his pack. Thanks for looking after me so carefully, by the way."
Brutha managed to get to his feet. The world revolved round him for a moment, adding a third astronomical theory to the two currently occupying the minds of local thinkers. sort of shed. Such light as managed to come through its one unglazed window was red, and flickered. One end of the shed was open to the water. The ruddy light showed a few figures clustered around something there.Brutha gently probed the contents of his memory. Everything seemed to be there, the Library scrolls neatly arranged. The words were as meaningless to him as any other written word, but the pictures were interesting. More interesting than most things in his memory, anyway.He sat up, carefully."You're awake, then," said the voice of Om, in his head. "Feel a bit full, do we? Feel a bit like a stack of shelves? Feel like we've got big notices saying "SILENCIOS!" all over the
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Frederic Edwin Church Twilight in the Wilderness
Frederic Edwin Church Twilight in the WildernessJulius LeBlanc Stewart At HomeTitian Sacred and Profane Love
desert. After death, a desert. The desert. No hells, yet. Perhaps there was hope.
He remembered a story from his childhood. Unusually, it wasn't about smiting. No one was trampled underfoot. It wasn't about Om, dreadful in His rage. It was worse. It was about what happened when you died . . . the journey of your soul.
They said: you must walk a desert . . .
"Where is this place?" he said hoarsely.
THIS IS AND NOW, IF YOU WILL EXCUSE ME-
Fri'it took a deep breath, purely out of habit. Perhaps he could find a couple of rocks out there. A small rock to hold and a big rock to hide behind, while he waited for Vorbis . . .
And that thought was habit, too. Revenge? Here?
He smiled.NO PLACE, said Death .. . . all alone . . ."What is at the end of the desert?"JUDGEMENT .. . . with your beliefs . . .Fri'it stared at the endless, featureless expanse."I have to walk it alone?" he whispered. "But . . . now, I'm not sure what I believe-”YES?
desert. After death, a desert. The desert. No hells, yet. Perhaps there was hope.
He remembered a story from his childhood. Unusually, it wasn't about smiting. No one was trampled underfoot. It wasn't about Om, dreadful in His rage. It was worse. It was about what happened when you died . . . the journey of your soul.
They said: you must walk a desert . . .
"Where is this place?" he said hoarsely.
THIS IS AND NOW, IF YOU WILL EXCUSE ME-
Fri'it took a deep breath, purely out of habit. Perhaps he could find a couple of rocks out there. A small rock to hold and a big rock to hide behind, while he waited for Vorbis . . .
And that thought was habit, too. Revenge? Here?
He smiled.NO PLACE, said Death .. . . all alone . . ."What is at the end of the desert?"JUDGEMENT .. . . with your beliefs . . .Fri'it stared at the endless, featureless expanse."I have to walk it alone?" he whispered. "But . . . now, I'm not sure what I believe-”YES?
Monday, 13 April 2009
Joseph Mallord William Turner Rain, Steam and Speed - The Great Western Railway
Joseph Mallord William Turner Rain, Steam and Speed - The Great Western RailwayGustave Courbet MarineGustave Courbet Woman with a Parrot
many talking tortoises have you met?" it said sarcastically.
"I don't know," said Brutha.
"What "Novice, not priest. They won't let me-”
"Get him!"
"But I don't think the Cenobiarch ever comes into our vegetable garden," said Brutha. "I don't think he even knows what a melon is. "
"I'm not bothered about that," said the tortoise. "Fetch him now, or there d'you mean, you don't know?""Well, they might all talk," said Brutha conscientiously, demonstrating the very personal kind of logic that got him Extra Melons. "They just might not say anything when I'm there.""I am the Great God Om," said the tortoise, in a menacing and unavoidably low voice, "and before very long you are going to be a very unfortunate priest. Go and get him.""Novice," said Brutha."What?"
many talking tortoises have you met?" it said sarcastically.
"I don't know," said Brutha.
"What "Novice, not priest. They won't let me-”
"Get him!"
"But I don't think the Cenobiarch ever comes into our vegetable garden," said Brutha. "I don't think he even knows what a melon is. "
"I'm not bothered about that," said the tortoise. "Fetch him now, or there d'you mean, you don't know?""Well, they might all talk," said Brutha conscientiously, demonstrating the very personal kind of logic that got him Extra Melons. "They just might not say anything when I'm there.""I am the Great God Om," said the tortoise, in a menacing and unavoidably low voice, "and before very long you are going to be a very unfortunate priest. Go and get him.""Novice," said Brutha."What?"
Friday, 10 April 2009
Lord Frederick Leighton Wedded
Lord Frederick Leighton WeddedLord Frederick Leighton The Fisherman and the SyrenJean Auguste Dominique Ingres Perseus and Andromeda
thinking philosophers because it did not explain, among other things, signposts. After years of wrangling the whole thing was then turned over to Ly Tin Wheedle, arguably the Disc's greatest philosopher[22], who after some Well, everything, for a start. It was unthinkable that the Library should be burned. It was the largest accumulation of magic on the Disc. It underpinned wizardry. Every spell ever used was written down in it somewhere. Burning them was, was, was ...
There weren't any ashes. Plenty of wood ashes, lots of chains, lots of blackened stone, lots of mess. But thousands of books don't burn easily. They would leave bits of cover and piles of feathery ash. And there wasn't any.thought proclaimed that although it was indeed true that all places were one place, that place was very large.And so psychic order was restored. Distance is, however, an entirely subjective phenomenon and creatures of magic can adjust it to suit themselves.They are not necessarily very good at it. Rincewind sat dejectedly in the blackened ruins of the Library, trying to put his finger on what was wrong with them.
thinking philosophers because it did not explain, among other things, signposts. After years of wrangling the whole thing was then turned over to Ly Tin Wheedle, arguably the Disc's greatest philosopher[22], who after some Well, everything, for a start. It was unthinkable that the Library should be burned. It was the largest accumulation of magic on the Disc. It underpinned wizardry. Every spell ever used was written down in it somewhere. Burning them was, was, was ...
There weren't any ashes. Plenty of wood ashes, lots of chains, lots of blackened stone, lots of mess. But thousands of books don't burn easily. They would leave bits of cover and piles of feathery ash. And there wasn't any.thought proclaimed that although it was indeed true that all places were one place, that place was very large.And so psychic order was restored. Distance is, however, an entirely subjective phenomenon and creatures of magic can adjust it to suit themselves.They are not necessarily very good at it. Rincewind sat dejectedly in the blackened ruins of the Library, trying to put his finger on what was wrong with them.
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Andrea Mantegna Adoration of the Shepherds
Andrea Mantegna Adoration of the ShepherdsAndrea Mantegna Adoration of the MagiThomas Moran Entrance to the Grand Canal, Venice
'I mean, I wouldn't like to cause offence.'
Well?'
'It's just that I can't help noticing-’
'Hmmm?'
'You have this certain way with strangers.' Rincewind ducked, but nothing happened.
What are you doing down there?' said Conina, testily.
,Sorry.,a father,' she added. 'Even you, I imagine.'
She peered around a corner.
'All clear. Come on,' she said, and then when they were striding along the damp cobbles she 'I know what you're thinking. I can't help it, I take after my father.'Who was he, then? Cohen the Barbarian?' Rincewind grinned to show it was a joke. At least, his lips moved in a desperate crescent.'No need to laugh about it, wizard.''What?''It's not my fault.'Rincewind's lips moved soundlessly. 'Sorry,' he said. 'Have I got this right? Your father really is Cohen the Barbarian?''Yes.' The girl scowled at Rincewind. 'Everyone has to have 'I shouldn't think so,' said Rincewind. 'Wizardry isn't allowed to run in families
'I mean, I wouldn't like to cause offence.'
Well?'
'It's just that I can't help noticing-’
'Hmmm?'
'You have this certain way with strangers.' Rincewind ducked, but nothing happened.
What are you doing down there?' said Conina, testily.
,Sorry.,a father,' she added. 'Even you, I imagine.'
She peered around a corner.
'All clear. Come on,' she said, and then when they were striding along the damp cobbles she 'I know what you're thinking. I can't help it, I take after my father.'Who was he, then? Cohen the Barbarian?' Rincewind grinned to show it was a joke. At least, his lips moved in a desperate crescent.'No need to laugh about it, wizard.''What?''It's not my fault.'Rincewind's lips moved soundlessly. 'Sorry,' he said. 'Have I got this right? Your father really is Cohen the Barbarian?''Yes.' The girl scowled at Rincewind. 'Everyone has to have 'I shouldn't think so,' said Rincewind. 'Wizardry isn't allowed to run in families
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Alphonse Maria Mucha Morning Star
Alphonse Maria Mucha Morning StarAlphonse Maria Mucha Monaco Monte CarloAlphonse Maria Mucha Medee
low priest threw down his cards.
‘Double Onion’ he said.
The High Priest looked down suspiciously.
The low priest consulted a scrap of paper.
‘That’s three hundred thousand, nine hundred and sixty-four pebbles you owe me,’ he said.
There was the sound of footsteps.
The priests exchanged glances.
‘Haven’t had one for poisoned dart alley for quite some time,’ said the High Priest.
‘Five says he makes it,’ said the low priest.
‘You’re on.’
There was a faint clatter of metal points on stone.
‘It’s ‘Hey,’ said the one who was not High. ‘You don’t think it could be -‘ ‘Here? Oh, come on. We’re in the middle of a godsdamn jungle.’ The High Priest tried to smile. ‘There’s no way it could be -‘ The footsteps got nearer.a shame to take your pebbles.’There were footsteps again.‘All right, but there’s still the -‘ a creak, a splash ‘ - the crocodile tank.’There were footsteps.‘No-one’s ever got past the dreaded guardian of the portals -‘ The priests looked into one another’s horrified faces.
The priests clutched at one another in terror.
low priest threw down his cards.
‘Double Onion’ he said.
The High Priest looked down suspiciously.
The low priest consulted a scrap of paper.
‘That’s three hundred thousand, nine hundred and sixty-four pebbles you owe me,’ he said.
There was the sound of footsteps.
The priests exchanged glances.
‘Haven’t had one for poisoned dart alley for quite some time,’ said the High Priest.
‘Five says he makes it,’ said the low priest.
‘You’re on.’
There was a faint clatter of metal points on stone.
‘It’s ‘Hey,’ said the one who was not High. ‘You don’t think it could be -‘ ‘Here? Oh, come on. We’re in the middle of a godsdamn jungle.’ The High Priest tried to smile. ‘There’s no way it could be -‘ The footsteps got nearer.a shame to take your pebbles.’There were footsteps again.‘All right, but there’s still the -‘ a creak, a splash ‘ - the crocodile tank.’There were footsteps.‘No-one’s ever got past the dreaded guardian of the portals -‘ The priests looked into one another’s horrified faces.
The priests clutched at one another in terror.
Monday, 6 April 2009
Caravaggio Sleeping Cupid
Caravaggio Sleeping CupidCaravaggio Lute PlayerCaravaggio Adoration of the Shepherds
Still fast asleep,’ she said.
Carey’s Fire,’ said Miss Flitworth. ‘It’s an omen.’
AN OMEN OF WHAT?
‘What? Oh, don’t ask me. Just an omen, I suppose. Just basic omenery.
Where are we going?’
INTO THE TOWN.
‘To be near the scythe?’
YES.
He disappeared into the barn. After a while he came out leading Binky, saddled and harnessed. He mounted up, then leaned down and pulled both her and the sleeping child on to the horse in front of him. IF I’M WRONG, he added, THIS HORSE WILL TAKTHAT’S NOT SLEEP.The rain had stopped, but the storm still marched around the hills. The air sizzled, still seemed oven-hot.Bill Door led the way past the henhouse, where Cyril and his elderly harem were crouched back in the darkness, all trying to occupy the same few inches of perch.There was a pale green glow hovering around the farmhouse chimney.‘We call that Mother E YOU WHEREVER YOU WANT
Still fast asleep,’ she said.
Carey’s Fire,’ said Miss Flitworth. ‘It’s an omen.’
AN OMEN OF WHAT?
‘What? Oh, don’t ask me. Just an omen, I suppose. Just basic omenery.
Where are we going?’
INTO THE TOWN.
‘To be near the scythe?’
YES.
He disappeared into the barn. After a while he came out leading Binky, saddled and harnessed. He mounted up, then leaned down and pulled both her and the sleeping child on to the horse in front of him. IF I’M WRONG, he added, THIS HORSE WILL TAKTHAT’S NOT SLEEP.The rain had stopped, but the storm still marched around the hills. The air sizzled, still seemed oven-hot.Bill Door led the way past the henhouse, where Cyril and his elderly harem were crouched back in the darkness, all trying to occupy the same few inches of perch.There was a pale green glow hovering around the farmhouse chimney.‘We call that Mother E YOU WHEREVER YOU WANT
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