Kookaburra

 

The bird watches, in the back garden.

Roots in Australia

 

The root penetrates a fissure in the rocks.

anti-socialism

Alan Turing 041031 {yymmdd}
Originally uploaded by rabinal

Sadly, it has been the Socialists who have altered University experience in the UK. Not content with creating miles of unnecessary paperwork and bureaucracy, they have made it so that kids have to work their way through to sustain themselves, as well as pay a fair whack in Uni fees. The result is that the rich people's kids (who have mum and dad to fund them) have more time to study; they come out with better degrees (better class of degree) and also they can go to more expensive areas of the country where the better Unis are. AND without being lumbered with debt when they finish.

It is astonishing to me that the Labour government has tilted the game so much in favour of the better off.

Las Vegas in 1966

las-vegas-1966
Originally uploaded by rabinal

I took this serendipitous picture with a 35mm film camera on a trip around Nevada and Arizona in summer 1966. After 43 years, the image still appeals. This is a scan from a print from a 35mm slide.

Reflective fabric

reflective fabric
Originally uploaded by rabinal

This Red Cross issue jacket is vivid yellow, with reflecting strips and a reflecting logo. This picture is what the camera makes of it in the little light that comes through the open front door. The Red Cross provide CJ with large quantities of regulation clothing, but no pay! But they do reimburse him for his travel expenses, and provide him with many free trips which double as holiday. In 2010 he hopes to have a spell with them in sub-Saharan Africa. He also gets to stay in a very wide range of emporia, from ***** to "under canvas".

Red Cross FACE 2009 Oldenburg

Red Cross FACE 2009
Originally uploaded by rabinal

Red Cross volunteering gives CJ work experience, lots of driving experience, team work experience, organisation experience, budget-management experience, travel experiences, international contacts, a custom-made GAP year activity programme, valuable skills, an enjoyable life, and a GOOD TIME.

Never unpacked

calculator
Originally uploaded by rabinal

The OECD foretells that the UK economy will shrink.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8117013.stm

This is GOOD news for eco-conscious people who know that our planet is already over-populated and over-stressed. Meanwhile, this calculator can be used within its original package from nearly 20 years ago. It is solar powered, has no batteries, and the keys can be pressed through the plastic encapsulation.

beef rib

beef rib
Originally uploaded by rabinal

Public health problem; If you go away (possibly for a few months) and leave food in your freezer, you may not be aware there has been a power cut while you were away, leading to a warm-up and to the bugs growing. The frozen food in the freezer may now be lethal.

Plateful of pie and veg

plateful of pie and veg
Originally uploaded by rabinal

"Stuff" in the media falls into at least three categories.

"Informational"

"Motivational" (like a sermon)

"Spam and advertising"