Chapter 27 of Moby Dick
There have been several suspicious deaths of individuals connected to Russian politics in recent years, which have raised concerns about possible assassinations and the role of the Russian government in these incidents.
One of the most prominent cases was the assassination of Boris Nemtsov, a prominent opposition leader and critic of President Vladimir Putin, in February 2015. Nemtsov was shot dead in central Moscow, and his murder has been widely viewed as a politically motivated assassination. Several suspects were arrested, but questions remain about who ordered the killing.
Another case is that of Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who was investigating corruption and tax fraud in Russia. Magnitsky was arrested in 2008 and died in custody in 2009 under suspicious circumstances. His death has been the subject of numerous investigations and international sanctions, with many accusing the Russian government of involvement.
Other suspicious deaths in Russian politics include Alexander Litvinenko, a former KGB agent who died in London in 2006 after being poisoned with a radioactive substance, and Anna Politkovskaya, a journalist who was assassinated in Moscow in 2006 after reporting on human rights abuses and corruption in Russia.
It is important to note that investigations into these incidents are ongoing, and the cause of death has not always been conclusively determined. Nonetheless, the deaths of these individuals have raised concerns about the safety of those who speak out against the Russian government and the level of impunity enjoyed by those who commit acts of violence against critics and opposition figures.
I've been messing around creating vikings in mid journey AI art, thought I'd use this as an excuse to pimp up some books I've narrated:
Summary of Raghnalls Reign:
The dust has settled for a time. After emerging victorious from numerous battles, the group feels like they can finally catch their breath and deal with the traumas of past events. However, everything does not stay quiet for long; the Usurper has a plan to uproot the Raghnall family tree, once and for all, and burn it to ash. They have faced every battle head-on, and every foe has fallen at their feet, but Johan proves to be an entirely different enemy - one that they are not at all prepared to face.
The Vikings were in Great Britain during the late 8th to the early 11th century AD. They came from Scandinavia, and their arrival marked a significant period in British history known as the Viking Age.
During this period, the Vikings carried out raids and attacks on coastal towns and monasteries, causing widespread fear and devastation. They also established settlements in various parts of Great Britain, such as York and Dublin, and their influence can still be seen today in the language and culture of these regions.
The Vikings were skilled seafarers and traders, and they established a thriving trade network throughout the North Atlantic region. They also played an important role in the development of England as a unified kingdom, as the various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were eventually united under the rule of the Danish King Canute.
The Viking Age came to an end in the 11th century with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, which marked the beginning of a new era in British history. However, the legacy of the Vikings can still be seen today in the culture and traditions of Great Britain, particularly in regions such as Scotland, Ireland, and the north of England.
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| AI art impression of a Romani gypsy caravan |
The Romani people, commonly known as Gypsies, have a diverse lifestyle that varies depending on the community and location. However, there are some general characteristics that are common among many Romani groups.Traditionally, the Romani people were a nomadic group, traveling in caravans and living in wagons or tents. They made their living through various means, including fortune-telling, music, metalworking, and trading. Today, many Romani people have settled into permanent homes and have adopted more mainstream occupations, although some still maintain a nomadic lifestyle.Family is an important part of Romani culture, and extended families often live together in close-knit communities. Gender roles are typically traditional, with men taking on more public roles and women focusing on the household and family.The Romani language, known as Romani or Romany, is an Indo-European language that is spoken by many Romani people. It has many dialects and variations depending on the community and location.Unfortunately, the Romani people have faced discrimination and persecution throughout history, and many still face social and economic marginalization today. However, there are also thriving Romani communities that celebrate their culture and traditions.
Indian Whispers audiobook - it's finished!
Soon to be available on Audible. It's an enjoyable light story about two English brothers who visit India to explore their asian heritage. From the author Surinder Jolly: I had a dream of becoming an author but when I started my junior hospital job in UK, my only dream was to get enough sleep after working very long hours. After retirement, I joined a creative writing course and a writing group. My inspiration for this book came from my personal experiences, my love for India and its rich cultures and customs and people I know who experienced some of the hard to believe events mentioned in Indian Whispers.
Delhi, officially known as the National Capital Territory of Delhi, is the capital city of India. It is a metropolitan area with a population of over 30 million people, making it one of the largest cities in the world.
Delhi is a diverse and cosmopolitan city with people from different religions, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds. The majority of the population is Hindu, but there are also significant Muslim, Sikh, Jain, and Christian communities. In addition to the local population, Delhi is home to many migrants from other parts of India who come to the city in search of work and opportunities.
As the capital of India, Delhi is also home to the central government and many national institutions, including the Parliament, the Supreme Court, and various government ministries. It is an important center for business, commerce, education, and culture, and attracts visitors from all over the world.
The British rule in India began in 1757, when the British East India Company defeated the Nawab of Bengal at the Battle of Plassey. This marked the beginning of British colonialism in India, which would last for nearly 200 years.
Over time, the British East India Company expanded its power and control over various regions in India, including Bengal, Madras, and Bombay. They established trading posts and began exporting Indian goods such as cotton, tea, and spices to Europe.
In 1857, Indian soldiers in the British army revolted against their British commanders, which became known as the Indian Rebellion or the First War of Independence. The rebellion was brutally suppressed by the British, and it led to a period of direct British rule in India, known as the British Raj.
During the British Raj, India was governed by a Viceroy appointed by the British monarch, with the assistance of an Executive Council made up of British officials. The British introduced various reforms and modernizations in India, such as railways, telegraph, postal services, and a modern legal system.
However, the British also imposed various economic policies that had a detrimental effect on Indian society, such as land taxation, forced labor, and the destruction of indigenous industries. The British Raj also saw the rise of Indian nationalism and the Indian independence movement, with leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru advocating for Indian independence.
In 1947, the British finally granted independence to India, and the country was partitioned into two separate nations: India and Pakistan. The partition resulted in widespread violence and displacement, with millions of people being forced to flee their homes.
The legacy of British rule in India is complex, with both positive and negative impacts on Indian society. While the British introduced modernization and infrastructure, they also exploited and oppressed the Indian people, leading to a long struggle for independence and national identity.
Mini Worlds
One of my favourite things is the miniature worlds under our feet, the macro worlds. I set about exploring what these could look like with some AI help.A steampunk themed mini house among the leaves of a forest floor...
Steampunk is a subculture that originated in the 1980s and 1990s, blending elements of science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction. The term "steampunk" was coined in the late 1980s by science fiction author K.W. Jeter, who used it to describe a sub-genre of science fiction set in the Victorian era and featuring steam-powered technology.
However, the roots of steampunk can be traced back to the works of authors like H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, who wrote about fantastic machines and futuristic technologies in the 19th century. The aesthetic of steampunk draws heavily from the Victorian era, with a focus on brass, copper, and other metals, as well as gears, cogs, and other mechanical elements.
Steampunk also has a strong DIY and maker culture, with enthusiasts creating their own steampunk-inspired clothing, gadgets, and accessories. The subculture has expanded beyond literature to include fashion, art, music, and even film and television. Today, steampunk remains a popular and vibrant subculture with a dedicated following around the world.
Caravan
Ever wondered what a Steampunk Gypsy caravan might look like? I have, so I started to explore it...
The Romani people, commonly referred to as Gypsies, are a traditionally itinerant ethnic group with origins in the Indian subcontinent. They are spread throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas and are believed to have migrated to these regions from India over a period of several centuries.The Romani people have their own language, Romani, and a distinct culture that includes music, dance, and storytelling. Historically, they have been marginalized and discriminated against in many countries, and continue to face prejudice and persecution in some parts of the world.The Romani people have a long and complex history, and their origins are the subject of ongoing research and debate among scholars. What is clear is that they have been a part of European society for centuries, and have contributed to its culture in many ways, including through their music, dance, and storytelling traditions.
Ambient Walking
Yes, that's a thing. Apparently, if you walk about filming a location in real time and post that video, it's called an ambient walk.
I filmed this one using my DJI X5 gimbal camera which I bought used from CEX. It's ok image-wise, and the stabilisation is really good.
One of the things it took me ages to work out is the use of the DJI log-gamma offering, D-log. It's a bit rubbish, but I realised it's not so much a proper bonafide log curve like C-LOG for example, it's a ETTR plus gamma curve (expose to the right). So in order to get it looking good took some experimenting. Eventually, for the nerds out there, I set up my project in Davinci resolve with a timeline colour space of REC709 and gamma of Rec709-2.4. I then use a CST node (Color Space Transform) on each clip and set the input colour space to Rec709 and gamma to D-LOG, and output to 'timeline'.
A frankly imccomprehensible chapter, I have no idea what it was about and I spoke the words, with my mouth.
Chapter 25 - Moby Dick
The chapter begins with the famous line, "And I only am escaped alone to tell thee," which is a quote from the Biblical book of Job. Ishmael then goes on to describe how the Pequod, the whaling ship on which he had sailed, was destroyed in a final encounter with the white whale Moby Dick. Ishmael was the only survivor, and he was rescued by the Rachel, another whaling ship that had been searching for some of its own crew members who had been lost at sea.Ishmael concludes the chapter by expressing his belief that the sea is ultimately unknowable and that the pursuit of whaling is a kind of madness. He suggests that the only way to truly understand the sea is to be swallowed up by it, to become one with it in death. This final reflection reinforces the novel's themes of the human struggle against the unknown and the ultimately destructive nature of man's desire for power and dominance over nature.
Rats have a long and varied history in popular culture, often being depicted as pests, villains, or even symbols of disease and filth. Here are a few examples of rats in popular culture:
Literature: Rats have been featured in many works of literature over the years, often serving as symbols of death, decay, and destruction. One famous example is George Orwell's "1984," in which rats are used as a form of torture and psychological manipulation.
Movies: Rats have appeared in many films as well, often as scary or menacing creatures. Examples include "Willard" (1971), "The Secret of NIMH" (1982), and "Ratatouille" (2007).
Music: Rats have also appeared in music, both as subjects of songs and as band names. For example, there's the song "Ben" by Michael Jackson, which is about a rat, and the punk rock band The Rats.
Comics: Rats have been featured in many comic books and graphic novels as well. One popular example is the character Splinter from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, who is a wise and heroic rat.
Folklore: Rats have also played a role in folklore and mythology around the world. In Chinese mythology, for example, rats are considered to be symbols of wealth and good fortune.
Overall, rats have played a variety of roles in popular culture, sometimes as villains or pests, and sometimes as heroic or wise characters. Despite their mixed reputation, rats remain a fascinating and important part of the natural world.
Dream House
One of the things that I've just discovered I can do with Midjourney is spend endless hours idly creating images of my dream house. I've decided I want Wysteria or Honeysuckle all over it and to be near water.
"Wisteria" is a type of flowering plant that is native to the eastern United States and to eastern Asia, specifically China, Korea, and Japan. The plant belongs to the pea family and is known for its beautiful, drooping clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of purple, pink, blue, or white. In terms of usage, wisteria is primarily used as an ornamental plant in gardens, parks, and other outdoor spaces. Its stunning flowers and elegant, vine-like growth habit make it a popular choice for landscaping and for creating romantic, picturesque settings. Wisteria can be trained to climb up walls, trellises, and other structures, and its cascading flowers can add a touch of beauty and charm to any outdoor space. It's worth noting that while wisteria is a beautiful and beloved plant, it can also be invasive and difficult to control. In some parts of the world, wisteria is considered an invasive species that can quickly take over and damage native ecosystems. As such, it's important to plant and care for wisteria responsibly and to take steps to prevent it from spreading uncontrollably.
I got a Broadcaster!
I decided I was not happy with the sound of my beloved Procaster dynamic mic. I mean, it's pretty good in terms of noise floor and good for certain applications, but it also a somewhat unflattering tone, it seems to miss a lot of middle range tones that need EQ in post to get the best from it. So, I splashed out on this beauty:
The Rode Broadcaster. It's a condenser microphone, meaning it's powered and thus more sensitive than the passive dynamic Procaster. The Broadcaster microphone is a high-quality condenser microphone designed specifically for broadcast applications. It is produced by the Australian audio equipment manufacturer Rode.The Broadcaster microphone features a cardioid polar pattern, which means it is most sensitive to sounds coming from directly in front of the microphone, while rejecting sounds from the sides and rear. This makes it ideal for capturing the voice of a single speaker in a noisy environment, such as a radio or television studio.One of the key features of the Broadcaster microphone is its frequency response. It has a flat, extended frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz, which means it can capture a wide range of frequencies accurately and faithfully. This makes it ideal for capturing the nuances of a human voice or musical instrument.The Broadcaster microphone also features an internal pop filter and shock mounting system, which helps to reduce unwanted noise and vibrations from wind and handling.Compared to other microphones, the Broadcaster is often considered to be a high-end, professional-grade microphone. It is designed for use in broadcast studios, and its flat frequency response and cardioid polar pattern make it particularly well-suited for capturing the human voice. However, its price point and sensitivity may make it less suitable for general-purpose use, such as recording music or podcasts, where other microphones may be more suitable.
The Beagle.
Continuing my theme of anthropomorphising animals, might as well move oil to everyone's favourite dog, the Beagle. These guys have an awesome sense of smell and thus are used a lot for drug detection roles in border control and police activities... my beloved beagle features here in a fetching police outfit... poor girl...
The Beagle is a small hound dog breed that originated in England in the 14th century. The breed was developed for hunting small game, such as rabbits and hares. Beagles were highly valued for their keen sense of smell, strong tracking ability, and stamina.
In the 19th century, Beagles were imported to the United States, where they quickly gained popularity among hunters. The breed's small size and excellent scenting ability made it ideal for hunting in dense brush and undergrowth.
In addition to their hunting abilities, Beagles have also been used in law enforcement. Their keen sense of smell and tracking ability have made them valuable assets for police and customs officials. Beagles have been used to detect drugs, explosives, and contraband items such as fruits and vegetables at airports and border crossings.
In recent years, Beagles have also been trained as therapy dogs, providing comfort and companionship to patients in hospitals and nursing homes. Their friendly disposition and gentle nature make them well-suited for this type of work.
Overall, the Beagle has a long and rich history as a hunting dog, and its tracking and scenting abilities have made it a valuable asset in law enforcement and other specialized fields.
The noble German Shepard dog.
To break up the recording my latest book, Indian Whispers, I've been tinkering with anthropormorphising various animals in MidJourney... I've got a German-Shappard-Chihuahua cross called Captain (and no, I don't know how that happened, I assume no eye contact). Since tyre German Shepherd has a long history of being used in law enforcement and military capabilities, I felt it fitting to show man's best friend geared up for the job!
The German Shepherd, also known as the Alsatian, is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, and it has a rich history in law enforcement and military applications.The German Shepherd breed was developed in the late 19th century by Captain Max von Stephanitz, a former German cavalry officer, who was looking to create the perfect herding dog. He aimed to create a dog with intelligence, strength, and loyalty that could work in a variety of situations. He succeeded in his goal, and the German Shepherd breed quickly became popular among farmers and ranchers for their herding abilities.In the early 20th century, German Shepherds were employed as police dogs in Germany. Their intelligence, loyalty, and strong work ethic made them ideal for police work. They were used for tracking criminals, detecting narcotics, and serving as watchdogs. The German Shepherd quickly became the preferred breed for police work and remains so to this day.During World War I, the German army recognized the breed's potential and began using them as sentries and messengers. They proved to be highly effective, and their use in the military continued into World War II. German Shepherds were used by the German army for various tasks, including locating wounded soldiers, carrying messages, and even detecting mines.After World War II, the German Shepherd's reputation as a working dog continued to grow. In the United States, the breed was used for police work, search and rescue, and as guide dogs for the blind. German Shepherds were also used by the US military during the Vietnam War to locate enemy troops and detect booby traps.Today, the German Shepherd remains one of the most popular breeds for law enforcement and military applications. They are highly trainable, versatile, and reliable working dogs that excel in a variety of tasks, including search and rescue, bomb detection, and patrol work. The breed's reputation as a working dog has also made it a popular choice for families looking for a loyal and protective companion.
