Toadfish Monastery

Just heard that 2008 will see remakes of "When Worlds Collide" and "The Day The Earth Stood Still".

I can see that WWC could be souped up with CGI showing the destruction of Earth, but TDTESS? It's too slow a story for a modern "blockbuster". What's going to happen - Gort lays waste to half the city before the heroine gets the wounded Klaatu back through the exploding wreckage and into the flying saucer?

Ugh.

Well, it made me laugh:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Japanese-fooled-in-poodle-scam/2007/04/26/1177459875122.html

I'm sure that everyone's familiar with the "big hitters" of alternative science / history (such as Velikovski and Hancock), but there are plenty more out there.

Here's a weirdly attractive theory: http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/volatile/Niemitz-1997.pdf

Basically, the author is saying that almost 300 "phantom" years have been inserted into history, and we're actually living in the 1700's (arrrr....).

I've discussed this with a couple of historians, and they're convinced it's all bunk. The web of history seems too complete and complex to allow for the fiddling of dates on such a grand scale.

Anybody got any others?

I need a bit o' help from ye blaggards. I got a text message on me phone the other day. It were from me bosun, but 'ee uses that funny text talk. Can ye tell me what 'ees tryin' to say?

r ye swb! izad a sknfl o cpnz dlite an izoff 4 a fyt downze dox.

Anyone else be needin' some 'elp?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1644836.ece


I for one, will miss him.

So it goes.

Story here:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2007-03-30-google-pre-katrina_N.htm

It looks like someone's embarrassed by the slow progress in the rebuilding.

Host: Welcome back, and in this half of the progamme, I'm joined by Mr Tribbs from Portsmouth council. Hello line 5, you're through to Talkport.

Caller: Arrrr, can I speak to that Tribbs bloke?

Host: Yes he's right here. What would you like to ask him?

Caller: It be about the mayor's latest kidnapping. Has ye any clues as to where 'ee is?

Mr Tribbs: No it's a shocking affair. I'm afraid we have no idea at all where he is.

Caller: Ye mean no-one has any idea at all?

Mr Tribbs: I'm sorry to say it, but it's a complete mystery.

Caller: Harrr! I'll be puttin' the ransom up then. <click>

I wasn't sure where to put this. It doesn't really belong in "Science" and there isn't a board called "Things that might be a con but might just be silly instead"

http://www.timetravelfund.blogspot.com/

I bought some Christmas presents today. In the toy sections of the shops, there were a lot of Doctor Who related items (only to be expected) but I was amazed how many of them were Dalek related.

I'm old enough to remember the Dalek craze of my own childhood, and I never expected to see the day when I was buying Dalek toys for my own children.

Threee cheers for the Daleks-- murderous, pitiless monsters but still a great childrens' favourite after all these years!

For sale: One right boot (size 11), One left glove, and one contact lens. All as new. 4 groats the lot. Box 116A, Portsmouth.

Come on then ye scurvy dogs. Give it yer worst, yer pack o' gibbering sea scum!

I think we needs a tavern where we's can sit back an' discuss our piratey life over a tankerd o' grog  or two. This seems as good as place as any.
Anyways...

Last night I were invited to the theatre by a good friend o' mine. Tweren't a bad play-  involved murders an' scullduggery an suchlike, but got a bit wordy so I dozed off fer a few moments.

Next thing I knows, I hears this bint on the stage shoutin' "Out, Damn Spot! Out I say!"

Well, I weren't 'aving that. I leapt up on the stage an started swingin me cutlass an were eventually dragged out by me first gunner 'oo said it were nothin personal.

I dunno about that, time to pay the author a visit I think.