formerly
Giles Turnbull's notebook
Why don't they standard-ize on just one?
In fact, the ‘-ize’ forms have been in use in English spelling since the 15th century: they didn’t originate in American use, even though they are now standard in US English.
Salisbury cathedral was built on thin foundations
... or so I'm told. It sits on gravel, and has only remained standing
as long as it has because the church invested in a complex water
management system, controlling the water level in the nearby rivers so
that the gravel doesn't get waterlogged, and the cathedral stays up. There's a tour you can take of the cathedral, during which they take
you into the guts of the building, and during which I might perhaps be
able to find out more. I would like to do this.
as long as it has because the church invested in a complex water
management system, controlling the water level in the nearby rivers so
that the gravel doesn't get waterlogged, and the cathedral stays up. There's a tour you can take of the cathedral, during which they take
you into the guts of the building, and during which I might perhaps be
able to find out more. I would like to do this.
Creative arts funding
For £2,000 over three years, an orchestra lover can sponsor a musician from the Northern Sinfonia, based in Gateshead, through its Principal Partners scheme.
Supporters of the Northern Sinfonia can meet its musicians for dinner
You choose a principal musician to support, and get exclusive access in return. "You meet that principal on a regular basis over lunch or supper, and become close to that instrument and understand what it is to be a player in an orchestra like this," explains director of marketing and development Lucy Bird.
via bbc.co.uk
The Greatest Book Review Ever, by The Writers
At points, the story is mired in Victorian banalities, mainly those describing a large Hungarian man and his erotic adventures at an Insane Clown Posse concert.13 Violent death follows leadership follows violent death follows leadership, and in this manner the bizarre Byzantine cycle continues.14 Also, Miss Havisham just fucking hates men.15 Queens never seemed ghastlier.16
Salman Khan at TED
I've written a couple of things about Khan Academy for my PA column over the last couple of years. What he's doing is extraordinary.
Can anyone recommend a good battery charger?
I'm looking for a good quality, built-to-last, handles-everything domestic battery charger. We're getting through extraordinary numbers of AA, AAA and 9v batteries and I want to buy a bunch of rechargeables. I need a charger that recharges multiple batteries (of different shapes and sizes) at once, but treats each battery independently. It needs to tell me when each one is ready, and how much charge remains in a used battery. If anyone has already found such a thing, and can let me know what it's called, I'll be most grateful.
Inspired by Iceland
(via Chris H)
Photo exhibition soon
How journalism works
I suspect you see a perfect circle. I see a downward spiral. I see a cascade of shit pirouetting from your penthouse office, caking each layer of management, splattering all in between.
via guardian.co.uk
All you young things pondering a journalism degree (or post-grad course) - read this letter, and ask yourselves how you'd cope with being asked to do ridiculous things, and write lies so that your employer can sell more newspapers.
