Jill has pointed out to me before the similarity between The Ant comic strips on this site and the look of an ichat conversation (scroll down the page to see the screen shots). Now that she has a webcam and can stream her ichat icons, the similarities seem even more apparent. When the icon connected with the lines of chat changes it is almost impossible not to see it as a change in emphasis in the tone of the words.
It would be interesting to experiment with iChat- I'd like to use it to create interviews between GG or the Ant and other people.
I am so angry about this news story about Kurdish refugees being towed away from Australia, despite their pleas for refugee status. The sheer indifference to the suffering of anyone other than oneself is shameful, despicable. The lack of empathy and humanity it displays is overwhelming. And if that weren't bad enough, there is the issue that we are continually being lied to by the Federal Government.
WHAT WAS SAID SUNDAY "The passengers of the Minasa Bone did not claim asylum in Australia." Amanda Vanstone and Alexander Downer
YESTERDAY "I said I would seek advice from the People Smuggling Taskforce and the information is that some made remarks that they wanted to stay in Australia." Amanda Vanstone
It's the Frontier Librarianne's Birthday today, and a beautiful day she's chosen for it, too. Expected top of 32. Hope the FL is taken out by the other librarians for a few celebratory champers at lunchtime.
Sleepybrain has recently posted an excellent interview with Adam Elliot by Simon Sellars:
What attracts you to underdogs?
It’s very hard to put into words. I’m not saying I’ve had a horrible upbringing, but I always seem to relate to people who aren’t winners. I was always the last to be picked on the football team. I think we’ve all been in that position in some time in our lives, where we’ve been the reject
"I just got a call from someone connected with the HQ short story comp" she said
"Really! What did they say?"
"I made it to the shortlist of the story competition."
"Petite! That's great! Congratulations!"
"Yes. The thing is, the woman called me back a few minutes later and asked if you and I were the same person."
"Huh?"
"I told her that you were my sister and she said that you'd made the shortlist too."
"..."
"I don't think our names will be in the magazine because only the winner and first five runners up are announced."
"Are you sure?
"Yes, I'm sure."
"That's amazing... Are you really sure?"
"Yes, I'm really sure."
"That's great! We made it to the final twenty!"
"Yes, it's fantastic."
I said goodby and hung up. I went and told a friend. He said "Why didn't they call you too, if you were on the shortlist. Fear gripped me. I rang Petite again.
"I just have to ask. Are you sure?"
"YES, I'm SURE."
"Why didn't she call me, too?"
"She was only calling the people whose addresses she was unclear about. I think they may have been confused that we had the same address."
"Why are they contacting us?"
"Apparently the shortlisted people can go in the running for a writers' fellowship at a retreat in the Blue Mountains. We'll have to submit a folio of work."
"Hmmm. Folio."
So, it would appear that although we didn't win, Petite and I made it to the final shortlist, although I'm still sceptical and will remain so until I receive something in the mail. But it's nice to even consider that it's true. Now I'm wondering how many people enter the competition. Twenty? Is it like when you enter your name in a raffle for a family photographic portrait and they ring you and say that although you haven't win you are eligible for a discount when next you come to have a family portrait taken?
Carson Ellis is an American illustrator, although a lot of her work has a vaguely Russian look to it. She designed The Decemberists latest album cover (and contributed the illustrations to their site, I'm guessing.)
I'm very taken with her pen and ink work, particularly the alphabet cards.
