Joseph Mallord William Turner RainbowJoseph Mallord William Turner Moonlight A Study at MillbankJohn Singer Sargent The Daughters of Edward Darley BoitJohn Singer Sargent Paul Helleu Sketching with his Wife
while the conversation droned on in dwarfish. Carrot seemed to be winning, but it was a near thing. The clan was giving in not because of reason, or in obedience to the law, but because . . . well . . . because it was Carrot who was asking.
Finally, the touch anything. Er. They're not very happy about this, captain.'
A dwarf who was possibly Mrs Hammerhock produced a bunch of keys.
'I've always got on well with dwarfs,' said Vimes.
'They're not happy, sir. Um. They don't think we'll do any good.'corporal looked up. He was sitting on a dwarf stool, so his knees practically framed his head.'You have to understand, you see, that a dwarf's workshop is very important.''Right,' said Vimes. 'I understand.''And, er . . . you're a bigger.''Sorry?''A bigger. Bigger than a dwarf.''Ah.''Er. The inside of a dwarf's workshop is bike . . . well, it's like the inside of his clothes, if you know what I mean. They say you can look, if I'm with you. But you mustn't
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Leonardo da Vinci Portrait of Ginevra de Benci
Leonardo da Vinci Portrait of Ginevra de BenciLeonardo da Vinci Portrait Of A Young LadyLeonardo da Vinci LedaLeonardo da Vinci Leda 1530
And then her gaze met that of a small, non-descript mongrel dog watching her very intently from under a cart. In fact non-descript was not what it was. It was very easy to descript. It looked like halitosis with a wet nose.
'Woof, woof,' said the dog, in a bored way. 'Woof, woof, woof, and growl, growl.'
The dog trotted into the mouth of an alleyway. Angua glanced around, and followed it. The rest of the squad were gathered around tailored black clothes, at least eighteen devices for killing people, but he was becoming aware that Lance-Constable Detritus had one on the end of each of his arms. Closer, as it were, to hand.
'I'll, er, I'll go and get the Master, then, shall I?' he said.
Carrot leaned down.
'Thank you for your co-operation,' he said gravely.Vimes, who'd gone very quiet.'Fetch me the Master of Assassins,' he said. 'Now!'The young Assassin tried to sneer.'Hah! Your uniform doesn't scare me,' he said.Vimes looked down at his battered breastplate and worn mail.'You're right,' he said. 'This is not a scary uniform. I'm sorry. Forward, Corporal Carrot and Lance-Constable Detritus.'The Assassin was suddenly aware of the sunlight being blocked out.'Now these, I think you'll agree,' said Vimes, from somewhere behind the eclipse, 'are scary uniforms.'The Assassin nodded slowly. He hadn't asked for this. Usually there were never any guards outside the Guild. What would be the point? He had, tucked away in his exquisitely
And then her gaze met that of a small, non-descript mongrel dog watching her very intently from under a cart. In fact non-descript was not what it was. It was very easy to descript. It looked like halitosis with a wet nose.
'Woof, woof,' said the dog, in a bored way. 'Woof, woof, woof, and growl, growl.'
The dog trotted into the mouth of an alleyway. Angua glanced around, and followed it. The rest of the squad were gathered around tailored black clothes, at least eighteen devices for killing people, but he was becoming aware that Lance-Constable Detritus had one on the end of each of his arms. Closer, as it were, to hand.
'I'll, er, I'll go and get the Master, then, shall I?' he said.
Carrot leaned down.
'Thank you for your co-operation,' he said gravely.Vimes, who'd gone very quiet.'Fetch me the Master of Assassins,' he said. 'Now!'The young Assassin tried to sneer.'Hah! Your uniform doesn't scare me,' he said.Vimes looked down at his battered breastplate and worn mail.'You're right,' he said. 'This is not a scary uniform. I'm sorry. Forward, Corporal Carrot and Lance-Constable Detritus.'The Assassin was suddenly aware of the sunlight being blocked out.'Now these, I think you'll agree,' said Vimes, from somewhere behind the eclipse, 'are scary uniforms.'The Assassin nodded slowly. He hadn't asked for this. Usually there were never any guards outside the Guild. What would be the point? He had, tucked away in his exquisitely
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Frida Kahlo Self Portrait with Necklace
Frida Kahlo Self Portrait with NecklaceFrida Kahlo Self Portrait with MonkeysFrida Kahlo Self Portrait 1940
Terry Pratchett
It ignored them all and strutted slowly to the fallen Queen. Magrat pulled herself to her feet and hefted the axe
Nanny Ogg was the first to speak. Witches can generally come to terms with what actually (‘s, instead of insisting on what ought to be.
She looked up at the moors. “The first thing we do,” she said, “the first thing, is put back the stones.”
“The second thing,” corrected Magrat.
They both looked down at the still body of Granny Weatherwax. A few stray bees were flying disconsolate cir-cles in the grass near her head.
Nanny Ogg winked at Magrat.
“You did well there, girl. Didn’t think you had it in you to survive an attack like that. It fairly uncertainly.The Queen uncoiled, leaping up and raising her hands, her mouth framing the first words of some curse—The King held out a hand, and said nothing.Only Magrat heard it.Something about meeting by moonlight, she said later.And they awoke.The sun was well over the Rim. People pulled them-selves to their feet, staring at one another.There was not an elf in sight.
Terry Pratchett
It ignored them all and strutted slowly to the fallen Queen. Magrat pulled herself to her feet and hefted the axe
Nanny Ogg was the first to speak. Witches can generally come to terms with what actually (‘s, instead of insisting on what ought to be.
She looked up at the moors. “The first thing we do,” she said, “the first thing, is put back the stones.”
“The second thing,” corrected Magrat.
They both looked down at the still body of Granny Weatherwax. A few stray bees were flying disconsolate cir-cles in the grass near her head.
Nanny Ogg winked at Magrat.
“You did well there, girl. Didn’t think you had it in you to survive an attack like that. It fairly uncertainly.The Queen uncoiled, leaping up and raising her hands, her mouth framing the first words of some curse—The King held out a hand, and said nothing.Only Magrat heard it.Something about meeting by moonlight, she said later.And they awoke.The sun was well over the Rim. People pulled them-selves to their feet, staring at one another.There was not an elf in sight.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Mark Spain Timeless Beauty
Mark Spain Timeless BeautyMark Spain The Pink DressMark Spain Sevilla
Magrat’s hands held a rusty iron helmet, with wings.
“Come dance at the wedding, lady.”
Magrat’s hands closed on a well-endowed breastplate, with spikes.
Greebo, who had been tracking mice through a prone suit of armor, stuck his head out of a leg.
A change had come over Magrat. It showed in her breathing. She’d been panting, with fear and exhaustion. Then, for a few seconds, time when he’d leapt out on a vixen.
Normally Greebo could take on a fox without raising a
221
Terry Pratchett
sweat but, as it turned out, this one had cubs. He hadn’t found out until he chased her into her den. He’d lost a bit of one ear and quite a lot of fur before he’d got away.there was no sound of her breathing at all. And finally it returned. Slowly. Deeply. Deliberately.Greebo saw Magrat, who he’d always put down as basi-cally a kind of mouse in human shape, lift the hat with the wings on it and put it on her head.Magrat knew all about the power of hats.In her mind’s ear she could hear the rattle of the chariots.“Lady? We will bring your friends to sing to you.”She turned.The candlelight sparkled off her eyes.Greebo drew back into the safety of his armor. He recalled a particular
Magrat’s hands held a rusty iron helmet, with wings.
“Come dance at the wedding, lady.”
Magrat’s hands closed on a well-endowed breastplate, with spikes.
Greebo, who had been tracking mice through a prone suit of armor, stuck his head out of a leg.
A change had come over Magrat. It showed in her breathing. She’d been panting, with fear and exhaustion. Then, for a few seconds, time when he’d leapt out on a vixen.
Normally Greebo could take on a fox without raising a
221
Terry Pratchett
sweat but, as it turned out, this one had cubs. He hadn’t found out until he chased her into her den. He’d lost a bit of one ear and quite a lot of fur before he’d got away.there was no sound of her breathing at all. And finally it returned. Slowly. Deeply. Deliberately.Greebo saw Magrat, who he’d always put down as basi-cally a kind of mouse in human shape, lift the hat with the wings on it and put it on her head.Magrat knew all about the power of hats.In her mind’s ear she could hear the rattle of the chariots.“Lady? We will bring your friends to sing to you.”She turned.The candlelight sparkled off her eyes.Greebo drew back into the safety of his armor. He recalled a particular
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
William Bouguereau Dante and Virgil in Hell
William Bouguereau Dante and Virgil in HellBill Brauer Scarlet DancerBill Brauer Harvest MoonBill Brauer Gold Dress
door he said, ‘What’s the other pill for?’ and she gave him a look and said, ‘Well, you want to catch her, don’t you?’”
“That’d be that deep valley up near Slice,” said Carter.
They looked at him.
“What, exactly, are you talking about?” said Weaver.
“It’s right “Reckon we ought to be getting along home now, lads,” he managed.
“’S’nice night,” said Baker, staying put. “Look at them stars a-twinklin’.”
149
Terry Pratchett
“Turned a bit cold, though,” said Jason.behind the mountain,” said Carter, nodding knowingly. “Very shady there. That’s what she meant, I expect. The place where the sun doesn’t shine. Long way to go for a pill, but I suppose that’s witches for you.”Weaver winked at the others.“Listen,” he said, “I’m telling you she meant . . . well, where the monkey put his nut.”Carter shook his head.“No monkeys in Slice,” he said. His face became suf-fused with a slow grin. “Oh, I get it! She was daft!”“Them playwriters down in Ankh,” said Baker, “boy, they certainly know about us. Pass me the jug.”Jason turned his head again. He was getting more and more uneasy. His hands, which were always in daily contact with iron, were itching.
door he said, ‘What’s the other pill for?’ and she gave him a look and said, ‘Well, you want to catch her, don’t you?’”
“That’d be that deep valley up near Slice,” said Carter.
They looked at him.
“What, exactly, are you talking about?” said Weaver.
“It’s right “Reckon we ought to be getting along home now, lads,” he managed.
“’S’nice night,” said Baker, staying put. “Look at them stars a-twinklin’.”
149
Terry Pratchett
“Turned a bit cold, though,” said Jason.behind the mountain,” said Carter, nodding knowingly. “Very shady there. That’s what she meant, I expect. The place where the sun doesn’t shine. Long way to go for a pill, but I suppose that’s witches for you.”Weaver winked at the others.“Listen,” he said, “I’m telling you she meant . . . well, where the monkey put his nut.”Carter shook his head.“No monkeys in Slice,” he said. His face became suf-fused with a slow grin. “Oh, I get it! She was daft!”“Them playwriters down in Ankh,” said Baker, “boy, they certainly know about us. Pass me the jug.”Jason turned his head again. He was getting more and more uneasy. His hands, which were always in daily contact with iron, were itching.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Edward Hopper Office in a Small City
Edward Hopper Office in a Small CityEdward Hopper New York RestaurantEdward Hopper Les Pont Royal
Lfi0/£6
In the meantime she wandered aimlessly through the cas-tle’s many rooms, the swishing of her dress almost unheard above the background roar of the turbines of tedium:
l humdrumhumdrumhumdrum—
She’d spent the whole morning trying to learn to do tapestry, because Millie assured her that’s what queens did, and the sampler with to talk to. But nobblyess obligay—queens had to live Above Stairs.
Below Stairs there was only Shawn Ogg, who was clean-ing the oven of the huge iron stove and reflecting that this was no job for a military man.
“Where’s everyone gone?”
Shawn leapt up, banging his head on the stove. „ “Ow! Sorry, miss! Um! Everits message “Gods bless this Hosue” was even now lying forlornly on her chair.In the Long Gallery were huge tapestries of ancient battles, done by previous bored regal incumbents; it was amazing how all the fighters had been persuaded to stay still long enough. And she’d looked at the many, many paintings of the queens themselves, all of them pretty, all of them well-dressed according to the fashion of their times, and all of them bored out of their tiny well-shaped skulls.Finally she went back to the solar. This was the big room on top of the main tower. In theory, it was there to catch the sun. It did. It also caught the wind and the rain. It was a sort of drift net for anything the sky happened to throw.She yanked on the bellpull that in theory summoned a servant. Nothing happened. After a couple of further pulls, and secretly glad of the exercise, she went down to the kitchen. She would have liked to spend more time there. It was always warm and there was generally someone
Lfi0/£6
In the meantime she wandered aimlessly through the cas-tle’s many rooms, the swishing of her dress almost unheard above the background roar of the turbines of tedium:
l humdrumhumdrumhumdrum—
She’d spent the whole morning trying to learn to do tapestry, because Millie assured her that’s what queens did, and the sampler with to talk to. But nobblyess obligay—queens had to live Above Stairs.
Below Stairs there was only Shawn Ogg, who was clean-ing the oven of the huge iron stove and reflecting that this was no job for a military man.
“Where’s everyone gone?”
Shawn leapt up, banging his head on the stove. „ “Ow! Sorry, miss! Um! Everits message “Gods bless this Hosue” was even now lying forlornly on her chair.In the Long Gallery were huge tapestries of ancient battles, done by previous bored regal incumbents; it was amazing how all the fighters had been persuaded to stay still long enough. And she’d looked at the many, many paintings of the queens themselves, all of them pretty, all of them well-dressed according to the fashion of their times, and all of them bored out of their tiny well-shaped skulls.Finally she went back to the solar. This was the big room on top of the main tower. In theory, it was there to catch the sun. It did. It also caught the wind and the rain. It was a sort of drift net for anything the sky happened to throw.She yanked on the bellpull that in theory summoned a servant. Nothing happened. After a couple of further pulls, and secretly glad of the exercise, she went down to the kitchen. She would have liked to spend more time there. It was always warm and there was generally someone
Thursday, April 16, 2009
John Constable Wivenhoe Park Essex
John Constable Wivenhoe Park EssexJohn Constable Weymouth BayJohn William Waterhouse Destiny 1900
who this man is?" he added, indicating Fasta Benj.
"It was a tortoise," said Brutha.
"Was it? Not surprised. Never did trust them, always creeping around. Look, I said no fish! He's not one of mine, I know that. Is he one of yours?"
Argavisti waved a hand Why you did this won't mean anything to them. You'll be the oppressors. They'll fight. They might even win. And there'll be another war. And one day people will say: why didn't they sort it all out, back then? On the beach. Before it all started. Before all those people died. Now we have that chance. Aren't we lucky?"
Argavisti stared at him. Then he nudged Borvorius.
"What did he say?"
Borvorius, who was better at thinking than the others, said, "Are you talking about surrender?"
"Yes. If that's the word."irritably. "Who sent you, boy?""No one. I came by myself. But you could say I come from the future.""Are you a philosopher? Where's your sponge?""You've come to wage war on Omnia. This would not be a good idea.""From Omnia's point of view, yes.""From everyone's. You will probably defeat us. But not all of us. And then what will you do? Leave a garrison? For ever? And eventually a new generation will retaliate.
who this man is?" he added, indicating Fasta Benj.
"It was a tortoise," said Brutha.
"Was it? Not surprised. Never did trust them, always creeping around. Look, I said no fish! He's not one of mine, I know that. Is he one of yours?"
Argavisti waved a hand Why you did this won't mean anything to them. You'll be the oppressors. They'll fight. They might even win. And there'll be another war. And one day people will say: why didn't they sort it all out, back then? On the beach. Before it all started. Before all those people died. Now we have that chance. Aren't we lucky?"
Argavisti stared at him. Then he nudged Borvorius.
"What did he say?"
Borvorius, who was better at thinking than the others, said, "Are you talking about surrender?"
"Yes. If that's the word."irritably. "Who sent you, boy?""No one. I came by myself. But you could say I come from the future.""Are you a philosopher? Where's your sponge?""You've come to wage war on Omnia. This would not be a good idea.""From Omnia's point of view, yes.""From everyone's. You will probably defeat us. But not all of us. And then what will you do? Leave a garrison? For ever? And eventually a new generation will retaliate.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Francois Boucher The Interrupted Sleepno," he murmured. "Twenty million people in this world, and the only one who believes in me is a suicide"
Francois Boucher The Interrupted SleepFrancois Boucher Portrait of Marquise de PompadourFrancois Boucher Diana Resting after her Bath
no," he murmured. "Twenty million people in this world, and the only one who believes in me is a suicide"
"We can't just leave it," said Brutha.
"We can. We can. It's a lion. You leave lions alone. "
Brutha knelt faith.
Brutha grasped the spear-haft. The lion growled as he moved it.
"Can't you speak to it?" said Brutha.
"It's an animal."
"So are you. You could try to calm it down. Because if it gets excited-”
Om snapped into concentration.
In fact the lion's mind contained nothing but pain, a spreading nebuladown. The lion opened one crusted yellow eye, too weak even to bite him."You're going to die, you're going to die. I'm not going to find anyone to believe in me out here-”Brutha's knowledge of animal anatomy was rudimentary. Although some of the inquisitors had an enviable knowledge of the insides of the human body that is denied to all those who are not allowed to open it while it's still working, medicine as such was frowned upon in Omnia. But somewhere, in every village, was someone who officially didn't set bones and who didn't know a few things about certain plants, and who stayed out of reach of the Quisition because of the fragile gratitude of their patients. And every peasant picked up a smattering of knowledge. Acute toothache can burn through all but the strongest in
no," he murmured. "Twenty million people in this world, and the only one who believes in me is a suicide"
"We can't just leave it," said Brutha.
"We can. We can. It's a lion. You leave lions alone. "
Brutha knelt faith.
Brutha grasped the spear-haft. The lion growled as he moved it.
"Can't you speak to it?" said Brutha.
"It's an animal."
"So are you. You could try to calm it down. Because if it gets excited-”
Om snapped into concentration.
In fact the lion's mind contained nothing but pain, a spreading nebuladown. The lion opened one crusted yellow eye, too weak even to bite him."You're going to die, you're going to die. I'm not going to find anyone to believe in me out here-”Brutha's knowledge of animal anatomy was rudimentary. Although some of the inquisitors had an enviable knowledge of the insides of the human body that is denied to all those who are not allowed to open it while it's still working, medicine as such was frowned upon in Omnia. But somewhere, in every village, was someone who officially didn't set bones and who didn't know a few things about certain plants, and who stayed out of reach of the Quisition because of the fragile gratitude of their patients. And every peasant picked up a smattering of knowledge. Acute toothache can burn through all but the strongest in
Thomas Kinkade Make a Wish Cottage 2
Thomas Kinkade Make a Wish Cottage 2Thomas Kinkade Home For ChristmasThomas Kinkade Elegant Evening at Biltmore
Like your pants. And ninety-nine out of a hundred ideas they come up with are totally useless."
"Why doesn't anyone lock them away safely, then? They don't sound much use to me," said Brutha.
"Because the hundredth idea," said Om, "is generally a humdinger."
"What?"
"Look up at the highest tower on the rock."
Brutha ships would be a very interesting demonstration of optical principles," he added. "Always coming up with amazing new ideas, the philosophers. The one before that was some intricate device that demonstrated the principles of leverage by incidentally hurling balls of burning sulphur two miles. Then before that, I think, there was some kind of an underwater thing that shot sharpened logs into the bottom of ships."
Brutha stared at the disc again. He hadn't understood more than one-third of the words in the last statement.
"Well," he said, "does it?"looked up. At the top of the tower, secured by metal bands, was a big disc that glittered in the morning light."What is it?" he whispered."The reason why Omnia hasn't got much of a fleet any more," said Om. "That's why it's always worth having a few philosophers around the place. One minute it's all Is Truth Beauty and Is Beauty Truth, and Does a Falling Tree in the Forest Make a Sound if There's No one There to Hear It, and then just when you think they're going to start dribbling one of 'em says, Incidentally, putting a thirty-foot parabolic reflector on a high place to shoot the rays of the sun at an enemy's
Like your pants. And ninety-nine out of a hundred ideas they come up with are totally useless."
"Why doesn't anyone lock them away safely, then? They don't sound much use to me," said Brutha.
"Because the hundredth idea," said Om, "is generally a humdinger."
"What?"
"Look up at the highest tower on the rock."
Brutha ships would be a very interesting demonstration of optical principles," he added. "Always coming up with amazing new ideas, the philosophers. The one before that was some intricate device that demonstrated the principles of leverage by incidentally hurling balls of burning sulphur two miles. Then before that, I think, there was some kind of an underwater thing that shot sharpened logs into the bottom of ships."
Brutha stared at the disc again. He hadn't understood more than one-third of the words in the last statement.
"Well," he said, "does it?"looked up. At the top of the tower, secured by metal bands, was a big disc that glittered in the morning light."What is it?" he whispered."The reason why Omnia hasn't got much of a fleet any more," said Om. "That's why it's always worth having a few philosophers around the place. One minute it's all Is Truth Beauty and Is Beauty Truth, and Does a Falling Tree in the Forest Make a Sound if There's No one There to Hear It, and then just when you think they're going to start dribbling one of 'em says, Incidentally, putting a thirty-foot parabolic reflector on a high place to shoot the rays of the sun at an enemy's
Monday, April 13, 2009
Francisco de Zurbaran Still life
Francisco de Zurbaran Still lifeAlbert Bierstadt The Last of the BuffaloDante Gabriel Rossetti Venus Verticordia
Just because he was temporarily embarrassed, the whole world thought it could take advantage. Well, when Om got back to his rightful shape and power, he told himself, Steps would be Taken. The tribes of Beetles and Melons . "Master of the novices. He is very important."
"Didn't I tell you not to bring me some fat old pederast!" shouted the voice in his head. "Your eyeballs will be spitted on shafts of fire for this!"
Brutha knelt down.
"I can't go to the High Priest," he said, as patiently as possible. "Novices aren't even allowed in the Great Temple except on special occasions. I'd be Taught the Error of My Ways by the Quisition if I was caught. It's the Law."
"Stupid fool!" the tortoise shouted.
Nhumrod decided that it was time to speak.would wish they'd never been created. And something really horrible would happen to all eagles. And . . . and there would be a holy commandment involving the planting of more lettuces . . .By the time the big boy arrived back with the waxy-skinned man, the Great God Om was in no mood for pleasantries. Besides, from a tortoise-eye viewpoint even the most handsome human is only a pair of feet, a distant pointy head, and, somewhere up there, the wrong end of a pair of nostrils."What's this?" he snarled."This is Brother Nhumrod," said Brutha
Just because he was temporarily embarrassed, the whole world thought it could take advantage. Well, when Om got back to his rightful shape and power, he told himself, Steps would be Taken. The tribes of Beetles and Melons . "Master of the novices. He is very important."
"Didn't I tell you not to bring me some fat old pederast!" shouted the voice in his head. "Your eyeballs will be spitted on shafts of fire for this!"
Brutha knelt down.
"I can't go to the High Priest," he said, as patiently as possible. "Novices aren't even allowed in the Great Temple except on special occasions. I'd be Taught the Error of My Ways by the Quisition if I was caught. It's the Law."
"Stupid fool!" the tortoise shouted.
Nhumrod decided that it was time to speak.would wish they'd never been created. And something really horrible would happen to all eagles. And . . . and there would be a holy commandment involving the planting of more lettuces . . .By the time the big boy arrived back with the waxy-skinned man, the Great God Om was in no mood for pleasantries. Besides, from a tortoise-eye viewpoint even the most handsome human is only a pair of feet, a distant pointy head, and, somewhere up there, the wrong end of a pair of nostrils."What's this?" he snarled."This is Brother Nhumrod," said Brutha
Edgar Degas After the Bath
Edgar Degas After the BathFrida Kahlo The FrameFrida Kahlo Self Portrait with Necklace
taking people suspected of being less holy and putting them to death in a hundred ingenious ways. This is considered aprayer mills spun merrily in the breeze off the mountains. Bees loafed around in the bean blossoms, but buzzed fast in order to give the impression of hard work. High above, a lone eagle circled.
Brutha shrugged, and got back to the melons.
Yea, the Great God Om spake again unto Brutha, the Chosen One: reliable barometer of the state of one's piety in most of the really popular religions. There's a tendency to declare that there is more backsliding around than in the national toboggan championships, that heresy must be torn out root and branch, and even arm and leg and eye and tongue, and that it's time to wipe the slate clean. Blood is generally considered very efficient for this purpose. And it came to pass that in that time the Great God Om spake unto Brutha, the Chosen One:"Psst!"Brutha paused in mid-hoe and stared around the Temple garden."Pardon?" he said.It was a fine day early in the lesser Spring. The
taking people suspected of being less holy and putting them to death in a hundred ingenious ways. This is considered aprayer mills spun merrily in the breeze off the mountains. Bees loafed around in the bean blossoms, but buzzed fast in order to give the impression of hard work. High above, a lone eagle circled.
Brutha shrugged, and got back to the melons.
Yea, the Great God Om spake again unto Brutha, the Chosen One: reliable barometer of the state of one's piety in most of the really popular religions. There's a tendency to declare that there is more backsliding around than in the national toboggan championships, that heresy must be torn out root and branch, and even arm and leg and eye and tongue, and that it's time to wipe the slate clean. Blood is generally considered very efficient for this purpose. And it came to pass that in that time the Great God Om spake unto Brutha, the Chosen One:"Psst!"Brutha paused in mid-hoe and stared around the Temple garden."Pardon?" he said.It was a fine day early in the lesser Spring. The
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thomas Gainsborough River Landscape
Thomas Gainsborough River LandscapeThomas Gainsborough Mary Countess of HoweThomas Gainsborough John Plampin
'No,' said the Seriph, 'doubt about it. I know jewelled melons when I see them. As the white does in the meadows of the water margin are your thighs, which-’
'Erm, excuse me-, sir, sire, we need to get out. I suppose you wouldn't know the way?'
'Thousands of rooms,' said the Seriph,' in here, you know. Not been out in years.' He hiccuped. 'Decades. Ians. Never been out, in fact.' His face glazed over in the act of composition. 'The bird of Time has but, um, a little way to walk and lo! the bird is on its- feet.'
'It's a geas,' muttered Rincewind.’said Nijel, clearing his throat with malice aforethought.Creosote swayed in his direction.'Hmm?' he said.'Where I come from,' said Nijel stonily, 'we don't talk to ladies like that.'Conina sighed as Nijel shuffled protectively in front of her. It was, she reflected, absolutely true.'In fact,' he went on, sticking out his jaw as far as possible, which still made it appear like a dimple, 'I've a jolly good mind-’'Open to debate,' said Rincewind, stepping forward. 'Er
'No,' said the Seriph, 'doubt about it. I know jewelled melons when I see them. As the white does in the meadows of the water margin are your thighs, which-’
'Erm, excuse me-, sir, sire, we need to get out. I suppose you wouldn't know the way?'
'Thousands of rooms,' said the Seriph,' in here, you know. Not been out in years.' He hiccuped. 'Decades. Ians. Never been out, in fact.' His face glazed over in the act of composition. 'The bird of Time has but, um, a little way to walk and lo! the bird is on its- feet.'
'It's a geas,' muttered Rincewind.’said Nijel, clearing his throat with malice aforethought.Creosote swayed in his direction.'Hmm?' he said.'Where I come from,' said Nijel stonily, 'we don't talk to ladies like that.'Conina sighed as Nijel shuffled protectively in front of her. It was, she reflected, absolutely true.'In fact,' he went on, sticking out his jaw as far as possible, which still made it appear like a dimple, 'I've a jolly good mind-’'Open to debate,' said Rincewind, stepping forward. 'Er
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Pino WHITE SAND
Pino WHITE SANDPino WHISPERING HEARTPino THINKING OF YOU
Yes, all right, but why me?
In your soul you know you are a true wizard. The word 'Wizard' is engraved on your heart.
'Yes, but the trouble is I keep meeting people who might try to find out,' said Rincewind miserably.
'What did you say?' said Conina.
Rincewind 'I especially like the lace,' said Carding.
'It took ages.'
'Why didn't you try magic?' Carding waggled his fingers, and grasped the tall cool glass that appeared in mid-air. Under its paper umbrella and fruit salad it contained some sticky and expensive alcohol.
'Didn't work,' said Spelter. 'Just couldn't seem, um, to get it right. I had tostared at the smudge on the horizon and sighed.'Just talking to myself,' he said. Carding surveyed the hat critically. He walked around the table and stared at it from a new angle. At last he said: 'It's pretty good. Where did you get the octarines?''They're just very good Ankhstones,' said Spelter. 'They fooled you, did they?'It was a magnificent hat. In fact, Spelter had to admit, it looked a lot better than the real thing. The old Archchancellor's hat had looked rather battered, its gold thread tarnished and unravelling. The replica was a considerable improvement. It had style.
Yes, all right, but why me?
In your soul you know you are a true wizard. The word 'Wizard' is engraved on your heart.
'Yes, but the trouble is I keep meeting people who might try to find out,' said Rincewind miserably.
'What did you say?' said Conina.
Rincewind 'I especially like the lace,' said Carding.
'It took ages.'
'Why didn't you try magic?' Carding waggled his fingers, and grasped the tall cool glass that appeared in mid-air. Under its paper umbrella and fruit salad it contained some sticky and expensive alcohol.
'Didn't work,' said Spelter. 'Just couldn't seem, um, to get it right. I had tostared at the smudge on the horizon and sighed.'Just talking to myself,' he said. Carding surveyed the hat critically. He walked around the table and stared at it from a new angle. At last he said: 'It's pretty good. Where did you get the octarines?''They're just very good Ankhstones,' said Spelter. 'They fooled you, did they?'It was a magnificent hat. In fact, Spelter had to admit, it looked a lot better than the real thing. The old Archchancellor's hat had looked rather battered, its gold thread tarnished and unravelling. The replica was a considerable improvement. It had style.
Cao Yong Catalina
Cao Yong CatalinaUnknown Artist Lazlo Emmerich KenyaDiego Rivera Night of the Rich
gone to bed,' he said, 'with a hot milk drink.'
'Milk?' said one of the wizards, with tired horror in his voice.
'He's too young for alcohol', explained the bursar.
'Oh, yes. 'I wonder if we really have, um, a problem here,' he said.
Gravie Derment of the Sages of the Unknown Shadow hit the table with his fist.
'Good grief, man!' he snapped. 'Some child wanders in out of the night, beats two of the University's finest, sits down in the Archchancellor's chair and you wonder if we have Silly of me.'The hollow-eyed wizard opposite said: 'Did you see what he did to the door?''I know what he did to Billias!''What did he do?''I don't want to know!''Brothers, brothers,' said Spelter soothingly. He looked down at their worried faces and thought: too many dinners. Too many afternoons waiting for the servants to bring in the tea. Too much time spent in stuffy rooms reading old books written by dead men. Too much gold brocade and ridiculous ceremony. Too much fat. The whole University is ripe for one good push ...Or one good pull ...
gone to bed,' he said, 'with a hot milk drink.'
'Milk?' said one of the wizards, with tired horror in his voice.
'He's too young for alcohol', explained the bursar.
'Oh, yes. 'I wonder if we really have, um, a problem here,' he said.
Gravie Derment of the Sages of the Unknown Shadow hit the table with his fist.
'Good grief, man!' he snapped. 'Some child wanders in out of the night, beats two of the University's finest, sits down in the Archchancellor's chair and you wonder if we have Silly of me.'The hollow-eyed wizard opposite said: 'Did you see what he did to the door?''I know what he did to Billias!''What did he do?''I don't want to know!''Brothers, brothers,' said Spelter soothingly. He looked down at their worried faces and thought: too many dinners. Too many afternoons waiting for the servants to bring in the tea. Too much time spent in stuffy rooms reading old books written by dead men. Too much gold brocade and ridiculous ceremony. Too much fat. The whole University is ripe for one good push ...Or one good pull ...
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Joseph Mallord William Turner The fighting Temeraire tugged to her last berth to be broken up
Joseph Mallord William Turner The fighting Temeraire tugged to her last berth to be broken upJoseph Mallord William Turner The Burning of the Houses of ParliamentJoseph Mallord William Turner Rainbow
Pog-a-grodle-fig!’
Miss Flitworth sat in her kitchen.
Outside, she could hear the despondent clanking as Ned Simnel and his apprentice picked up the tangled remains of the Combination Harvester. A handful of other people were theoretically helping, but were really taking the opportunity to have a good look around. She’d made a tray of tea, and left them to it.
Now she sat with her chin in her hands, staring at nothing. There was a knock at the open door. Spigot poked his red face it’ll be cheap to feed.’
Spigot hung around for a while, twisting his hat in his hands.
‘You all right. Miss Flitworth?’
‘You all right, Mr Poons?’
Windle stared at nothing.
‘Windle?’ said Reg Shoe.
‘Hmm?’into the room.‘Please, Miss Flitworth -‘‘Hmm?’‘Please, Miss Flitworth, there’s a skeleton of a horse walking around in the barn! It’s eating hay!’‘How?’‘And it’s all falling through!’‘Really? We’ll keep it, then. At least
Pog-a-grodle-fig!’
Miss Flitworth sat in her kitchen.
Outside, she could hear the despondent clanking as Ned Simnel and his apprentice picked up the tangled remains of the Combination Harvester. A handful of other people were theoretically helping, but were really taking the opportunity to have a good look around. She’d made a tray of tea, and left them to it.
Now she sat with her chin in her hands, staring at nothing. There was a knock at the open door. Spigot poked his red face it’ll be cheap to feed.’
Spigot hung around for a while, twisting his hat in his hands.
‘You all right. Miss Flitworth?’
‘You all right, Mr Poons?’
Windle stared at nothing.
‘Windle?’ said Reg Shoe.
‘Hmm?’into the room.‘Please, Miss Flitworth -‘‘Hmm?’‘Please, Miss Flitworth, there’s a skeleton of a horse walking around in the barn! It’s eating hay!’‘How?’‘And it’s all falling through!’‘Really? We’ll keep it, then. At least
Monday, April 6, 2009
Andy Warhol Shot Blue Marilyn 1964
Andy Warhol Shot Blue Marilyn 1964Andy Warhol Pink CowAndy Warhol Ingrid with Hat
comrade. One wheel also trailed uselessly. It canted recklessly from side to side and nearly fell over as it shot through the gates, moving sideways.
‘I can Ridcully took a deep breath.
‘You stupid !’ he screamed.
The word he uttered was unfamiliar to those wizards who had not had his robust country upbringing and knew nothing of the finer points of animal husbandry. But it plopped into existence a few inches from his face; it was fat, round, black and glossy, with horrible eyebrows. It blew him see it clear! I can see it clear!’ screamed the Dean. ‘Don’t! You might hit the Bursar!’ bellowed Ridcully. ‘You might damage University property!’But the Dean couldn’t hear for the roar of unaccustomed testosterone. A searing green fireball struck the skewing trolley. The air was filled with flying wheels.
comrade. One wheel also trailed uselessly. It canted recklessly from side to side and nearly fell over as it shot through the gates, moving sideways.
‘I can Ridcully took a deep breath.
‘You stupid !’ he screamed.
The word he uttered was unfamiliar to those wizards who had not had his robust country upbringing and knew nothing of the finer points of animal husbandry. But it plopped into existence a few inches from his face; it was fat, round, black and glossy, with horrible eyebrows. It blew him see it clear! I can see it clear!’ screamed the Dean. ‘Don’t! You might hit the Bursar!’ bellowed Ridcully. ‘You might damage University property!’But the Dean couldn’t hear for the roar of unaccustomed testosterone. A searing green fireball struck the skewing trolley. The air was filled with flying wheels.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
George Bellows Dempsey and Firpo
George Bellows Dempsey and FirpoCaravaggio The Sacrifice of IsaacCaravaggio The Musicians
,’ said Windle, unhappily.’It rather looks that way.’ He stepped out into the city, aware of the scraping and thumping of the door behind him.
If someone had told me a month ago, he thought, that a few days after I died I’d be walking along the road followed by a bashful bogeyman hiding behind a door . . . why, I’d have laughed at them. No, I wouldn’t. I’dThe dog nodded.
‘Can you talk?’
The dog shook its head.
‘So what do you do now?’
Lupine shrugged.
‘Want to come with me?’ have said ‘eh?’ and ‘what?’ and ‘speak up!’ and wouldn’t have understood anyway.Beside him, someone barked.A dog was watching him. It was a very large dog. In fact, the only reason it could be called a dog and not a wolf was that everyone knew you didn’t get wolves in cities.It winked. Windle thought: no full moon last night.‘Lupine?’ he ventured.
,’ said Windle, unhappily.’It rather looks that way.’ He stepped out into the city, aware of the scraping and thumping of the door behind him.
If someone had told me a month ago, he thought, that a few days after I died I’d be walking along the road followed by a bashful bogeyman hiding behind a door . . . why, I’d have laughed at them. No, I wouldn’t. I’dThe dog nodded.
‘Can you talk?’
The dog shook its head.
‘So what do you do now?’
Lupine shrugged.
‘Want to come with me?’ have said ‘eh?’ and ‘what?’ and ‘speak up!’ and wouldn’t have understood anyway.Beside him, someone barked.A dog was watching him. It was a very large dog. In fact, the only reason it could be called a dog and not a wolf was that everyone knew you didn’t get wolves in cities.It winked. Windle thought: no full moon last night.‘Lupine?’ he ventured.
Tamara de Lempicka Adam and Eve
Tamara de Lempicka Adam and EveWassily Kandinsky Squares with ConcentricPierre-Auguste Cot Springtime
see, he means well,’ said Lupine, after the meeting had broken up. He and Windle were walking back through the grey dawn. The Notfaroutoes had left earlier to be back home before daylight heaped even more troubles on Arthur, and Mr Shoe had gone off, he said, to address a meeting.
‘He goes down to the cemetery behind the Temple of Small Gods and shouts,’ Lupine explained. ‘He calls it
‘He won ‘t say.’
‘You’ve never seen him? I thought bogeymen hid under things and, er, behind things and sort of leapt out at people.’
‘He’s all right on the hiding. I don’t think he likes the leaping out, ‘ said Lupine.
Windle thought about this. An agoraphobic bogey-man seemed to complete the full set.
‘Fancy that, ‘ he said, vaguely.
‘We only go along to the club to keep Reg happy,’ said Lupine.’Doreen said it’d break his heart if we stopped. You know the worst bit?’ ‘Go on, ‘ said Windle.
see, he means well,’ said Lupine, after the meeting had broken up. He and Windle were walking back through the grey dawn. The Notfaroutoes had left earlier to be back home before daylight heaped even more troubles on Arthur, and Mr Shoe had gone off, he said, to address a meeting.
‘He goes down to the cemetery behind the Temple of Small Gods and shouts,’ Lupine explained. ‘He calls it
‘He won ‘t say.’
‘You’ve never seen him? I thought bogeymen hid under things and, er, behind things and sort of leapt out at people.’
‘He’s all right on the hiding. I don’t think he likes the leaping out, ‘ said Lupine.
Windle thought about this. An agoraphobic bogey-man seemed to complete the full set.
‘Fancy that, ‘ he said, vaguely.
‘We only go along to the club to keep Reg happy,’ said Lupine.’Doreen said it’d break his heart if we stopped. You know the worst bit?’ ‘Go on, ‘ said Windle.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Claude Monet Cliffs Near Dieppe
Claude Monet Cliffs Near DieppeClaude Monet A Corner of the StudioJohannes Vermeer girl with the pearl earringDiane Romanello Autumn RoadGustav Klimt Apple Tree II
usual an approved delights. He wasn’t even certain what they were. Some sketches outside one pink-lit, inviting doorway left him even more mystified but incredible anxious to learn.
He turned around and around in pleased astonishment. This place! Only ten minutes walk or fifteen minutes * lurch from the University! And he’d never known it was there! All these people! All this noise. All this life!
Several the sound of someone hurrying away down an alley.
Windle’s face fell.
Life, obviously, was only for the living. Perhaps this back-to-your-body business had been a mistake after all. He’d been a fool to think otherwise. He turned and, hardly bothering to keep his own heart beating, went back to the University.
Windle trudged across the quad to the Great Hallpeople of various shapes and species jostle him. One or two started to say something, shut their mouths quickly, and hurried off. They were thinking . . . his eyes! Like gimlets!And then a voice from the shadows said: ‘Hallo, bigboy. You want a nice time?’ l i.e., everywhere outside the Shades.‘Oh, yes!’ said Windle Poons, lost in wonder.’Oh, yes! Yes!’He turned around.‘Bloody hell!’ There was
usual an approved delights. He wasn’t even certain what they were. Some sketches outside one pink-lit, inviting doorway left him even more mystified but incredible anxious to learn.
He turned around and around in pleased astonishment. This place! Only ten minutes walk or fifteen minutes * lurch from the University! And he’d never known it was there! All these people! All this noise. All this life!
Several the sound of someone hurrying away down an alley.
Windle’s face fell.
Life, obviously, was only for the living. Perhaps this back-to-your-body business had been a mistake after all. He’d been a fool to think otherwise. He turned and, hardly bothering to keep his own heart beating, went back to the University.
Windle trudged across the quad to the Great Hallpeople of various shapes and species jostle him. One or two started to say something, shut their mouths quickly, and hurried off. They were thinking . . . his eyes! Like gimlets!And then a voice from the shadows said: ‘Hallo, bigboy. You want a nice time?’ l i.e., everywhere outside the Shades.‘Oh, yes!’ said Windle Poons, lost in wonder.’Oh, yes! Yes!’He turned around.‘Bloody hell!’ There was
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