Somewhere in the information hierarchy, off the main trail, in the tulgey woods, on the way to the peak of Mount Epistemol, between the singularly massive Im Formation and the doubly dangerous No Ledge, you just might catch of a whiff of it, something in the air, on the wind, a hint, a glimpse, a passing touch, an incipient intimation, that the elusive Ai
is nearby. And if you succeed in capturing it, then you too shall enter the ranks of the Magister Alludi, Masters of Allusion.
Or so the story goes. When history passes into legend, and legend passes into myth, it's time to catch the last train for the coast, it's time to call in the myth busters team, it's time for another round of the Glasperlenspiel.
Ah yes, the Glasperlenspiel. The summit and summation of human knowledge. The liminal space where the vita activa and the vita contemplativa unite. The ordinary space in which the adept's search for the extraordinary unfolds. Too bad it doesn't exist.
Nevertheless, I do present the following glass beads for your delectation. Meditate upon them, for they be all good, mon.
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Nostradamus's cookbook Nostradamus? Wasn't he the prophecy guy? Yes indeed, he was. But long before he put his hand to composing esoteric prognostications, he was a highly esteemed and well-travelled doctor of medicine. While living in Provence, he wrote a little cookbook that became a best-seller. And now, we present a humble translation of that fascinating 500 year old cookbook. |
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Dictionary of reduplicated words "Tsk tsk," she prittle-prattled to her buddy-buddy as he dashed about the piggly-wiggly all huddy-wuddy, searching for some knick-knacks. "What's all this fribble-frabble huffle-scuffle for?" Lolly, lolly, lolly, get reduplications here," Bubba replied in a sing-song voice. "In fact, here's a dictionary that's jam cram, chock-a-block full of them." "Truly firly-farly." |
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the Escritoire Weblog, blog; journal, b'jour; annal, bannal; manifest, bananafest; ... What's in a name? Is a weblog by any other name as sweet? In this case, an escritoire is a writing table with a shelf for books. Or is it a raven? In any case, it is the place where I indulge my infothymia. |
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the Roundabout I like roundabouts. Compared to traffic lights, roundabouts are better in almost every way I can think of. But this is not to say they are without problems. They remind me of that old chestnut about democracy: that roundabouts are the worst form of traffic control except for all the others. Herein are some strong opinions about drivers and driving, road signs and design. |
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Shava shava When we want to put the baby to sleep, we sing lullabies. In days of old, when we went to the pub for a drink, we would sing drinking songs. During the Christmas season we sing carols. But what do we sing when we see a rainbow, or when our first child is born, or when shovelling the snow from the driveway on a blustery day in January? If you believe, as I do, that there needs to be music that matches the mood of the moment, that can sync with the sentiment of the situation, that is attuned in a meaningful way to the time of day or month or season, then read on. This musical blog is for you. |
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Songline Many years ago, nine nubile nimbi descended to earth, and I found myself quite happily befogged. Thus, the Songline of the nine clouds came to be, zigzagging its way through the streets of Vancouver. Subsequently, I admit, it become a billabong (a backwater separated from the main stream). But now the rains have returned, and with such vigor that even the serest of bournes and wadis will flow again. |
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Umbrelladô In the classic Hong Kong kungfu film Wu Lang Ba Gua San ("Mystical umbrella fighter"), which doesn't really exist, the Yusan (   ) and Yangsan ( ) schools of kungfu are local rivals. One day, the Yangsan students viciously ambush the Yusan school, killing everyone, except Brother Five, the hero, who manages to escape. He vows revenge. For the next ten years he undergoes arduous training, until the day he is ready to face off against the rival school. With a cartload of umbrellas at his side he proceeds to pummel, impale, and even decapitate his enemies. The superiority of the Yusan school is at last established. And now, you too can learn more about this amazing form of self-defense. |
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Gallery Oscar Wilde, I do believe, once averred that "It is through art, and through art only, that we can realize our perfection; through art and art only that we can shield ourselves from the sordid perils of actual existence." Of course he also said, "The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it immensely. All art is useless." So, which way will you have it? Inside the gallery, you will find various photo albums, as well as my Doodlarium, which showcases the work of a certain fabulous (although possibly fatuous) Mr Hieronymus Doodle. |
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NASER Herein is a sometimes publication of articles on multifarious topics. "But what," I don't hear you asking, "does the initialism NASER stand for?" = Noematic Amplification via the Stimulating Examination of Reality = Newsletter Alluding to Secrets Esoteric and Recondite = Nexus of Articles Sagely Elucidating Riddles = Neo-Analytical Synthesis of Emotive Ratiocination = Nonsensical Approach to the Study of Errs and Rights = Naughty, Arousing, and Sensual Etchings and Rubbings = Nothing Added to Something Equals a Result |
Also see the work I have done with the KLIUC Library website.
J.A.P.
