52 Weeks to Make the World a Better Place: Week 49 - Avoiding Christmas hell II: spend it only with those you really want to!

One of the other great Christmas myths is that it's 'a time for the family'. Well, that's fine if you all get on well and like the same things, but what if you don't? If spending time with some in-laws' loathsome and noisy brats is not your idea of fun, if grimly chomping your way through someone else's appalling cooking just doesn't appeal, then make a stand: honesty is the best policy, but even lying about 'going away for a change' is perfectly acceptable if at least someone's going to feel happier as a result. Don't let them railroad you into routine submission, break the chains and enjoy a peaceful festive season!

It's all happening...

Thursday saw my annual jaunt to the BBC Good Food Show - as many free samples of booze, ranging from the mundane to the excitingly exotic, as one can usefully imbibe in a day. And the long lug home laden with full bottles thereof. Then yesterday, the 'Sacred Children' (stropharia cubensis) arrived at the door, unexpectedly bearing a free gift! I look forward to their fruition. And now two days of sheer indulgence, our annual Brideshead Revisited weekend, eleven hours of the finest television ever made, languidly spun out over the whole time-frame, and enhanced with gastronomic treats. Breakfast is just the best time for a nip of Calvados, and the Champagne, Henriot '96, possibly the best I've ever tasted, to inaugurate the viewing shortly. Ah, life can be sweet!

Latest fractal: Bloodbath

My entry for the Apophysis weekly theme challenge (non-black backgrounds). I cannot produce art to order, but as I have a suitable candidate waiting in the wings, then I'm delighted to submit this one.

White background, 2 transforms, 3 variations (linear, spherical and fan). Rendered with flam3 2.7b1 using default density estimation settings - this is the reason for the 'selective focus' look, it is NOT the application of any post-effects. Had to leave the picture full size as too much detail was lost on reduction.

I see the aftermath of some terrible carnage in a sewer-like tunnel - what do YOU see?

52 Weeks to Make the World a Better Place: Week 48 - Avoiding Christmas hell I: beating the consumerist trap

It's only just after mid-November, but we're already bombarded with "ideas for the festive season", so here's mine: it seems everyone expects more and more from this season, yet speaking to them afterwards reveals that more often than not, it turns into disappointment. So try this: just inform family and friends (and whoever else) that you're NOT buying presents for anyone, neither do you expect to receive any (OK, different if you've got children, this is really aimed at adults only). If the idea fills you with shock, then you're beginning to learn about the kinds of things that actually rule your life. If you can make the break, you'll feel a huge weight lifted: no worry about spending money you don't have, about choosing the right presents, about when you're going to fit it all in... As well as making you feel happier and more empowered, and by association those around you, it saves on all the unnecessary 'gifts' and packaging. And only send cards to people you won't actually SEE over Christmas. And choose charity or hand-made cards. I could probably go on, but you get the picture!

As an alternative, some non-commercial gift ideas from buynothingchristmas.org.

Latest fractal: Insomnia

What scenes of terror taunt the consciousness behind the lidded eyes of the would-be sleeper?

Apophysis and the GIMP.

52 Weeks to Make the World a Better Place: Week 47 - Get in touch with Nature

Too many people these days are totally cut off from Nature, by 'virtue' of living in their little technological bubbles - house, car, work, shopping centre, theme park... I'm certainly no Luddite, yet I see this technology barrier as inherently unhealthy - for individuals, the species and the planet. Setting aside a little regular time to 'commune' with Nature should be sufficient to largely redress this imbalance: country walks, a little off the beaten track, are wonderful at this time of year; ditto cycling (but leave off the stupid kit!); or even wildlife-spotting. It's very easy to spend the whole day at the PC, but a little fresh air will clear the mind and provide a wholesome rush of energy that will more than make up for lost time. So, why wait, get out there and re-connect with the Earth!

Latest fractal: Sunset

Complete with high atmospherics, courtesy of Apophysis and the GIMP.

52 Weeks to Make the World a Better Place: Week 46 - Recycling: the other R-words

Recycling is probably the first R-word that springs to mind in conjunction with a more eco-friendly lifestyle, but it should be the last resort - it has two precedents, repair and re-use. If I didn't wear repaired (i.e. darned) socks, my clothing bill would resemble the GNP of a small principality, due to the questing nature of my toenails. Repairing also keeps one more in touch with the manual skills that are in danger of becoming products of history: I'll wager that some cyclists now carry spare inner-tubes rather than puncture repair kits! And re-using - what does that mean then? Well, simply using something for a purpose not originally intended, beyond its normal lifespan. For instance, margarine tubs as first-sow seed trays, 'single-use' carrier bags for household waste (I have known people who got all their shopping in these, and promptly chucked them into their specially-purchased bin-liners, along with all their other rubbish - despair!).

Atmospheric Optics

For those who seek the sublime in nature, this is well worth a look.



Light playing on water drops, dust or ice crystals in the atmosphere produces a host of visual spectacles - rainbows, halos, glories, coronas and many more. Some can be seen almost every day or so, some are once in a lifetime sights. Find out where to see them and how they form. Then seek and enjoy them outdoors.

52 Weeks to Make the World a Better Place: Week 45 - Don't be a fashion victim

Buying new clothing or objets d'art can be a pleasant experience, but, leaving aside the now serious problem of 'retail therapy', ask yourself whether your purchases are essential, nice-to-haves or just plain keeping up with trends. It's that last category that's so wasteful of resource and most likely to indicate that the purchaser has been sucked into a mindless spiral of 'keeping up appearances' just for its own sake. Standing against this behaviour empowers the individual and reduces waste. Worried about losing those friends? Do you really want that kind of 'friend' anyway?