Iain M Banks 1954 – 2013.

All reality is a game. Physics at its most fundamental, the very fabric of our universe, results directly from the interaction of certain fairly simple rules, and chance; the same description may be applied to the best, most elegant and both intellectually and aesthetically satisfying games. By being unknowable, by resulting from events which, at the sub-atomic level, cannot be fully predicted, the future remains malleable, and retains the possibility of change, the hope of coming to prevail; victory, to use an unfashionable word.

In this, the future is a game; time is one of its rules.

The Player of Games: Iain M Banks 1954 – 2013.

Sun & Clouds Post.

The image in my previous post was changed for a non toned version, I kept looking at the highlights and they were (still are) getting close to being blown out.

The print has been done on Ilford FB matt which tends to control them far better than my scanning. Although I think my ‘blue toner’ is on its last legs, fortunately I quite often make a few prints so I can always come back and rip-up the ones I don’t like.

One of those days when nothing seems to go right…………

Two Poems by Rudyard Kipling 1865 – 1936.

I normally avoid comments on news, but looking at what has been happening over the last few days in UK; it brings to mind two poems by Rudyard Kipling:-

The Covenant

WE thought we ranked above the chance of ill.
Others might fall, not we, for we were wise –
merchants in freedom. So, of our free-will
we let our servants drug our strength with lies.
The pleasure and the poison had its way
on us as on the meanest, till we learned
that he who lies will steal, who steals will slay.
Neither God’s judgement nor man’s heart was turned.

Yet there remains His Mercy – to be sought
through wrath and peril till we cleanse the wrong
By that last right which our forefathers claimed
when their Law failed them and its stewards were bought.
This is our cause. God help us, and make strong
our will to meet Him later, unashamed!

 

The Beginnings

It was not part of their blood,
It came to them very late
With long arrears to make good,
When the English began to hate.

They were not easily moved,
they were icy-willing to wait
Till every count should be proved,
Ere the English began to hate.

Their voices were even and low,
their eyes were level and straight.
There was neither sign nor show,
When the English began to hate.

It was not preached to the crowd,
it was not taught by the State.
No man spoke it aloud,
When the English began to hate.

It was not suddenly bred,
It will not swiftly abate,
Through the chill years ahead,
When Time shall count from the date
That the English began to hate.

Both the above poems by – RUDYARD KIPLING

1865-1936

Antique Weapons found in Oman.

Omani-cannon

Oman’s historical military arms from Matchlock muskets of Portuguese origin (although some experts now think that many are of European-German origin: open to debate) along with Martini-Henry lever-action types. Combined with muzzle-loading cannon from the Iberian Peninsula and at least one that may have come from the English Commonwealth era, circa 1649 to 1660. Not to mention the vast number of ‘sharp pointy’ weapons; makes Oman a treasure trove for military historians.

Early indication of the Arabian Horse in Oman.

Arabian-Horse-Rock-Art-2

Arabian-Horse-Rock-ArtOn the above image: note the horse lower left with the classic characteristic of the tail being held high.

From Wikipedia:

Arabians are one of the oldest human-developed horse breeds in the world. The progenitor stock, the Oriental subtype or “Proto-Arabian” was a horse with oriental characteristics similar to the modern Arabian. Horses with these features appeared in rock paintings and inscriptions in the Arabian Peninsula as far back as 2500 BC. In ancient history throughout the Ancient Near East, horses with refined heads and high-carried tails were depicted in artwork, particularly that of Ancient Egypt in the 16th century BC.

‘Infinity Scroll’ Problems……….

Having trouble with the ‘Infinity Scroll’ on this theme only ??!!  at the moment – two different computers exhibit the same problem, haven’t a clue.

Unfortunately, I am unable to make it load a fixed number of pages with a tag at the bottom saying ‘load more’  which I actually prefer but WordPress does not seem to allow that  ……….. uurrrrr.

So if anyone finds loading slow; I apologise, this is the downside of paying for a theme as it means I cannot just change.