We seem to be entering a new phase of inventiveness in design: artists are looking to science and ecology for inspiration in their work, whereas scientists are suddenly referring to the art of pseudo-science to help explain their findings. Historically, scientific creativity has been looked down upon by those with ... Read More...
Month: April 2011
Mark Pack does his best to avoid thinking about how many blog pieces he writes and how many chocolate pieces he eats. Blogging is usually at his own site and Liberal Democrat Voice, which he co-edits. Chocolate is usually milk, preferably with crunchy bits. When doing neither he used to be ... Read More...
As the civil war in Libya continues to unfold, Dabbler readers will no doubt wish to pontificate about the kerfuffle in pubs and at dinner parties without making fools of themselves. To this end, I have compiled a helpful list of Libyan proverbs which can be deployed in conversation, rendering ... Read More...
Jonathon Green - visit his website here - is the English language's leading lexicographer of slang. His Green's Dictionary of Slang is quite simply the most comprehensive and authorative work on slang ever published. Today Jonathon continues his epic survey of the Seven Deadly Sins of Slang with Pride... We know ... Read More...
Continuing our series looking at great paintings housed in London's National Gallery... Bellini’s Doge Leonardo Loredan is a commanding portrait in two senses: the subject has an unmistakably authoritative presence; and, like the Arnolfini Portrait, the painting hogs viewers’ attention in its room (62, in the Sainsbury Wing). It has in common ... Read More...
Welcome to The Dabbler Book Club! This is your chance to get hold of free books, hand-picked by The Dabbler from the best new releases. It's free to join, is available inside and outside the UK, and every month you'll get the chance to: receive a free copy of the latest book read exclusive posts by authors ... Read More...
Simon Winder is the author of Germania, A Personal History of Germans Ancient and Modern. It was described by the Telegraph as 'an unusual and very entertaining tour of the oddities of German history'. Simon is also the author of The Man Who Saved Britain, a personal take on the impact of ... Read More...
Bryan’s clue hijklmno (5) is ‘water’. (H to O, get it?) “Do rey me fah so la do, do rey me fah so la do” (5) is ‘notes’ (no ‘te’s) Here are the rest: 1. She takes a lot of trouble to compose her features (5,4) = AGONY AUNT (straight cryptic clue) 2. Power ... Read More...
Something a bit different instead of the usual RB Quiz today: some cryptic crossword clues. The other week the recently-resurrected Yard gave us this clue: hijklmno (5) And I offered: “Do rey me fah so la do, do rey me fah so la do” (5) Geddit? The best cryptic clues are the ones ... Read More...
Bobby Charlton's at the airport, and out in the night somewhere my father's car combs the wet roads. I've slid my body into the back seat footwell and I'm shaking and sobbing with homesickness: at the airport, Bobby Charlton is dressed in a suit and tie and smoking. There's a ... Read More...
