the hancock museum in newcastle

I'm back in Newcastle for training tomorrow, and while there, l've had to find things to do with my spare time apart from hitting the pub, as can't drink during the day, and in the evening l've got to drive back from Darlington.  Therefore, l have been checking out the nearby museums, and the above photographs are all from The Hancock Gallery's natural history section.
It's an interesting enough way of killing time, but they might find that the T.Rex is slowly getting smaller. That's because l'm stealing it, bone by bone, as l intend rebuilding it in the back garden to scare away the neighbours cats.  As long as those pesky kids don't catch me in the act.
Wish me luck.

toodle pip

car boot sale heaven

I was on sleepover at work last night and finished at 8am this morning, (after staying up till 2.30am and getting up at 6.10am).  On a whim, while driving home, l decided to take a detour and have a look at a local car boot sale, a place l have only ever been to once before, but keep meaning to visit.  I was mighty pleased that l decided to do so, as l ended up buying a total of  23 albums (large CD's that scratch to you kids out there), for a total of  £35, and that was with a load of Beatles singles thrown in for good measure.  I was especially pleased with The Rolling Stones ones, as they are the original unboxed red Decca versions, all in great nick, but some of the LP's l bought are just to replace stuff l already have because they are miles better copies (yeeeeessssss...l know l am a sad bastard, and certainly don't need telling).
Originally, there was a slim chance l was going to do some painting today (as if!), but that went out of the window, and all l've been doing is reading and listening to records (and annoying Mr Parrot).  What bliss.
I've said it before and l'll say it again, l could easily fill a house with records, comics, DVD's etc, but at least l've sorted out some old LP's to give to my sister, so the actual amount of records in the house stays roughly the same.
Then there's the not so small problem of finding loads of spare time to read and listen to everything.  The books in the photograph are recent purchases l have yet to get through, l have another pile of unread ones that remain untouched, as well as the two books l have on the go at the moment (as well as TV shows and football to watch, and going out annoying people to fit in).
Multi tasking is the answer.  I'm currently listening to The Who's 'Quadrophenia' film soundtrack while updating this blog and drinking chilled white wine at the same time, with Mr Parrot sitting on my leg, getting the occasional stroke (me stroking him, not the other way round).
No wonder l fall asleep on trains.

toodle pip

mishap on the train

Damn!  This is what happens when you fall asleep on the train back from Newcastle - you end up at desolate Northallerton railway station and have to change trains and head back up to Darlington so you can drive home.
I was fast asleep when someone sat next to me, which woke me up.  It's a good job they did, as l would have ended up in that there London.  The train was actually in Darlingon station when l woke up, but by the time l'd grabbed my bag and ipod, the train had set off again, with me muttering curses and profanities under my breath at the firmly closed door.
I knew l was tired, but not that much. They're working me into the ground, but I suppose l should be grateful l wasn't covered in drool, and l hadn't wet myself while l was sleeping.  That would have been just a teesie bit more embarrassing, but l'm sure l will eventually end up doing that as well, it's only a matter of time, as my senility takes over and l finally lose what is left of my marbles.

toodle pip

michael smiths small town america

 

These shots of small time America from back in the day look really realistic, but they are from a project called 'Elgin Park' by Michael Paul Smith, who has been photographing small models and scenery that he has built, using real landscapes as backgrounds, with splendid results.
The photographs are available to buy, and there are more photographs, plus more about the project (and shots of the photographs being set up), at his site, which can be found here.
I always have a grudging respect for anyone who is devoted enough to follow their artistic bent to such a degree, but this must take up a hell of a lot of his time.
I wonder if he is married?

toodle pip

the budget

I thought the top poster was a spoof at first, but no, of course not, nothing is too patronising for the piss taking bastards, and it's just a shame that so many of the poor and uneducated will fall for it.
The bottom one is a spoof, but is a lot more honest.
Sadly, l can't envisage Ed Miliband winning a general election in the near (or distant) future, so it looks like we are stuck with Gideon (the 'destroyer') and his toffs.
Eat the rich brothers and sisters - time for a revolution!!

toodle pip

lucky (or unlucky) cyclist

I can't decide if this is really lucky or unlucky.
A cyclist is hit by a pickup truck, and as it hits him, a mattress falls off the back of the truck, which the cyclist then lands on, cushioning his fall.
Now what are the chances of that happening??
If l was him, l'd go and buy a lottery ticket, but then again, he may get run over on the way to the shop.
He's living life on a knifes edge.

toodle pip

training at newcastle

Damn!!!  I'm certainly not used to this.
Having to drag myself out of bed at silly o'clock so l can drive to Darlington and catch an early train to Newcastle each day, because l have got six days of training at the University, and have to be there for just after 9am.
I'm used to lying around in bed in the mornings, not this kind of nonsense!
I know most people live in the real world and have to get up early five days a week, but that is exactly what l have been trying to avoid for god knows how many years.  Luckily for me, the training is spread out over a couple of weeks, so l've got three earlies this week, two next week, and then a final day on the following Monday.
It also involves looking at computer screens most of the day, and much as l love computers, it's too much for my tired eyes when l am meant to still be in bed.
Still........Two days just completed, not back there till Friday, so it's back to late nights and lie ins till then (and l'll be watching the 'glorious' Manchester United tomorrow night).
Hurrah!!!!

toodle pip

craig tracy painting

Craig Tracy paintings can certainly deceive the eye.  This one is one of his best.
His site is here.

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oscar attendees with their younger selves

Ever wondered what it would be like if the people attending the Oscar ceremony could go with their younger selves?
Well wonder no more, and there are a few more here.

toodle pip

huge spider found in rucksack

This is a picture of the rather large 'and feisty' huntsman spider that charity worker Nora Serrat has just found in her rucksack after she had returned from a two week trip to Cameroon on behalf of The Rainforest Foundation UK.
This is exactly why l am not too keen to travel to places that may have huge spiders lurking about, ready to pounce on me at the earliest opportunity. It's bad enough in England, let alone in a bleeding rainforest.
I think my old ticker would have exploded with fear if l had found this in my rucksack.
Evil scary bastards - all of them.

toodle pip

alexa mead paintings

Alexa Mead paints people to look like they are in fact, paintings.  And it's very effective.
From here

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president putin butt plug

A President Putin butt plug!!
Available to buy here.
Genius!

toodle pip