nɒstˈhiːdəneɪ nosthedony: The pleasure to be gained from examining old objects Many of the [museum’s] objects touched me with nosthedony—the pleasure of returning to the past. For in many of the items I saw reflected a time when human life was different, perhaps less secure, certainly less austere. Brian Aldiss “Appearance of Life” (1976) Like … Continue reading Nosthedony
All posts by Oikofuge
Brian Aldiss: The “Helliconia” Trilogy
This I tell you all. Some disaster happened in the past, in the long past. So complete was it that no one can explain to you what it was or how it came about. We know only that it brought darkness and cold. You try to live the best you can. Good, good, live well, … Continue reading Brian Aldiss: The “Helliconia” Trilogy
Cheeky … [Update]
I recently reported how a publisher had used a quote from a book review on this blog on the book’s Amazon pages. But the quote contained an ellipsis that omitted 350 words and four paragraphs, significantly altering the sense of what I’d originally written. The original post is here. Well, I contacted Amazon to report … Continue reading Cheeky … [Update]
North Coast Circuit
We took a trip around the north coast recently. Although we know the mountainous north-west corner of Scotland well, the Flow Country of the north-east was unknown to us. Our trip effectively began in Dornoch, where I had the single worst meal I’ve had in Europe this century—and I include meals that have actually poisoned … Continue reading North Coast Circuit
Cheeky …
Back in the 1960s, I occasionally used to get access to a copy of Mad magazine. As a simple Dundonian lad I found a lot of it impenetrably American at the time, but I do remember being amused by a feature that purportedly gave examples of how publishers got the quotes for their book covers. … Continue reading Cheeky …
Hasegawa 1/48 Hawker Hurricane IIB: Part 2
So I finished the first part of this build log with the model primed for painting. This one wears the desert camouflage scheme, so it got a layer of Azure Blue on the underside, which was then masked off, followed by a layer of Mid Stone on the upper surfaces. Then there’s the tedious business … Continue reading Hasegawa 1/48 Hawker Hurricane IIB: Part 2
Glen Isla: Caenlochan Circuit
Druim Mor (NO 190771, 961m) Cairn of Claise (NO 185789, 1064m) Glas Maol (NO 166765, 1068m) Little Glas Maol (NO 175759, 973m) Monega Hill (NO 186756, 908m) 25 kilometres 1060m of ascent Embarrassing to admit that, after more than forty years wandering the Angus hills, I’d never walked up to the head of Glen Isla … Continue reading Glen Isla: Caenlochan Circuit
Muriel Gray: The First Fifty
Right, this is a little odd. I’m not actually going to review this one. It comes up purely in the context of something I found on my hard drive that I’d completely forgotten about. First, a bit of background. Muriel Gray had been around as a TV presenter and columnist for quite a while when … Continue reading Muriel Gray: The First Fifty
From The Small Isles To The Shiants
I have lain down in the long grass while the raven honked and flicked above me and the skuas cruised in a milk-blue sky. I have felt at times, and perhaps this is a kind of delirium, no gap between me and the place. I have absorbed it and been absorbed by it, as if … Continue reading From The Small Isles To The Shiants
Perspective Tricks
Okay, one last time. These are small, but the ones out there are far away. Father Ted, “Hell” (1996) Graham Linehan, Arthur Mathews I was recently reminded of Father Ted explaining perspective to Father Dougal (is it really more than twenty years ago?) when I happened on a bit of art under the Tay Road … Continue reading Perspective Tricks
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