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.

Bayberry Audiobooks · Chapter 25 - Postscript

 

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.

 So I've made a short Stranger Things mash-up with 11's greatest moments... 

Stranger Things is a science fiction/horror television series on Netflix set in the 1980s in a small Indiana town. The plot revolves around a group of friends who encounter supernatural phenomena, including a parallel dimension known as the "Upside Down," a mysterious government organization, and a girl with psychic abilities. The group, with the help of a police chief and a local science teacher, work to uncover the truth behind these strange occurrences and protect their town from the otherworldly forces at work. The show has gained a cult following for its nostalgic nods to 80s pop culture, compelling storytelling, and strong performances from its young cast.

 I am like a kid in a sweetshop with Midjourney! I love it! Your imagination is your only limit, and it seems my imagination is unlimited... this time it's a grasshopper in a 2000AD style illustration.. 

Grasshoppers are insects that typically live for several months to a year, depending on the species and environmental conditions. They begin life as eggs, which are laid in the soil or on plant material. After hatching, they go through several stages of development as nymphs, shedding their skin several times before reaching adulthood.

As adults, grasshoppers are active during the day and feed on plant material, using their powerful hind legs to jump up to 20 times their body length. They play an important role in many ecosystems as a food source for other animals, and can be both beneficial and harmful to crops depending on the situation.

In colder regions, grasshoppers may die off in the winter, while in warmer areas some species may survive year-round. Overall, the life of a grasshopper is characterized by a relatively short but active and important role in the ecosystem.

 

Life in feudal Japan (1185-1868) was characterized by a hierarchical social order with the emperor at the top, followed by the shogun, daimyos, samurai, and finally the peasants. The samurai, who made up the warrior class, were privileged and held political and military power. Peasants, who made up the majority of the population, were often poor and worked the land. Society was highly structured and regulated, with strict codes of conduct and behavior. However, there was also a rich cultural heritage, with flourishing arts, literature, and religion. Despite its strict social order, feudal Japan was a time of great change and growth, marked by significant political and cultural developments.

 So, I've been tinkering. Ever wondered what the blueprint for a Beagle might look like? well, wonder no more! The Beagle is a wonderful hound, here's what I learned:

The Beagle breed is a type of hound that has a history that dates back several centuries. The exact origins of the breed are unclear, but it is believed to have descended from various types of small hounds that were used for hunting in England. The modern Beagle as we know it today was developed in the 19th century and was primarily used for hunting small game, such as rabbits and hares.

The Beagle was recognized as an official breed by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and has since become a popular companion animal and show dog. They are known for their cheerful, friendly, and curious nature, and are often used as sniffer dogs in various roles, such as in customs and border control and in search and rescue operations.

Today, the Beagle remains a popular breed and is appreciated for its versatility and its affectionate and playful temperament.