FrontPage Archive - December 2008
Created | Updated Jan 1, 2009
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1 December 2008
Chichen Itza, the Mayan City - This UNESCO World Heritage Site is situated in the Yucatán area in the east of Mexico.The Horsehead Nebula - According to professional astronomers, more questions are asked about this than any other deep space object.
® Joan Hickson, Actress - Her depiction of Agatha Christie's elderly sleuth Miss Marple was unrivalled by any other before or since.
QOTD: i went to school with bono, edge and larry.
2 December 2008
Marie Curie (1867 - 1934) - One of the most celebrated female scientists who helped discover polonium and radium.The Cuica, a Brazilian Drum - Fascinating instrument described as a 'friction drum' that sometimes goes by the name of 'laughing gourd'.
® Teddies and 'Real' Bears - They were immensely popular in Edwardian Britain and have continued to go in and out of fashion ever since.
QOTD: However, as an interesting topological experiment I'd like to put room 101 in room 101.
3 December 2008
Nature's Ingenuity at Camouflage - Some creatures evolved to match their surroundings, whereas others manipulate their skin colour.Williamina Fleming - This Scottish astronomy pioneer struggled for recognition in a male-dominated profession.
® The Secret Policeman's Ball - In 1976, representatives of Amnesty International asked John Cleese for fundraising ideas.
QOTD: Have to say I wasn't a big fan of Austin's passo - well the shouty bit at the start, it just gave me the giggles.
4 December 2008
Mathematical Knots - The continuous loops of various mathematical knots are brilliantly explained in this clearly-written Entry.Orchids of the British Isles - An introduction to a wonderful set of Entries on the largest family of flowering plants in the world.
® Handy Uses For Household Vinegar - There's more to vinegar than splashing it on fish and chips; it also has many handy household uses.
QOTD: Is this a first? … Someone actually wanting to here *more* of Bernard Cribbins?
5 December 2008
Cabbages - They may not be the most glamorous of vegetables, but they have been a staple part of our diet for over 4,000 years.Der Hauptmann von Koepenick - The real-life story of Friedrich Wilhelm Voigt has been described as a 'German fairytale'.
® The Platypus - A creature so strange that in 1798 it was proclaimed a hoax by the British scientific community.
QOTD: Move yourself and your house to Australia, and you'll find that *presto!* Your ceiling is now your floor! … Simply affix the carpet in the normal manner, then move back to the UK.
8 December 2008
The Importance of British First World War Memorials - The sheer number of memorials in existence attests to the war's impact.Orchids of the British Isles: Animal Nomenclature - This group's common names reflect a passing resemblance to an animal or insect.
® The Standard Model of Particle Physics - This is the best theory currently available to answer the question 'What is the world made of?'.
QOTD: Thanks, I've just sprayed coffee all over my computer screens and keyboard!
9 December 2008
How to Build a House from Coal - Or rather, this Entry shows us how to build a house using 'by-products from the combustion of coal'.British Orchids: Bogs, Fens and Marshes - Next in an excellent set of Entries, today we look at orchids that grow on our marshlands.
® Tower Bridge, London, UK - One of London's most iconic landmarks, it is regarded by some to be the capital's 'most glamorous' bridge.
QOTD: the universe sucks!!!!!
( QOTD: The universe sucks!!!!!! )
10 December 2008
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: Part One - First part of a totally absorbing four-part series of Entries on the great Indian leader.The BACH Theme - A short and slightly 'unmusical' theme that Johann Sebastian Bach eventually developed in his later years.
® Yellowstone National Park - An overlooked but major part of Yellowstone's history involves its very first inhabitants.
QOTD: I remember a conversation once where we decided that for some reason double barrelled English place names sounded funnier than single ones, for example: Chipping Norton sounds funnier than Abingdon, Potter's Bar sounds funnier than Barnet.
11 December 2008
Ancient Mayan Cultures - The cultures of Central America are recognised as one of the great early centres of human civilisation.South Australia - Did you know that after New Zealand, South Australia was the second place in the world to grant universal suffrage?
® Cuban Roast Pork: 'Lechon Asado' - It can be cooked with garlic, marinated in 'mojo' or used as an ingredient in a Cuban sandwich.
QOTD: In the 90s it was e-this and e-that, and now it is i-everything. I wonder which letter we shall be using in the next decade when i- is just so noughties...
12 December 2008
Victoria, Australia - Its capital is Melbourne, arguably the best city in Australia, although anyone from Sydney will tell you otherwise!British Orchids: Helleborines - These are divided into two genera, Epipactis and Cephalanthera, the latter being the focus of this Entry.
® The Full Moons: What's in a Name? - The full moons all have different names, but where did these names come from? What do they mean?
QOTD: you know the harmonic singing of crosby, stills, nash and young, right? … you know the beach boys? … you know the bee gees? … well, these are just three of the groups klingon singing sound nothing like
15 December 2008
Yellow: the Sunshine Colour - A cornucopia of golden nuggets of information all concerning the third colour of our visible spectrum.Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Part Two) - Second part in a great four-parter sees Gandhi's return and fight for Indian independence.
® Cross Country Running - Contrary to what a lot of people might think, cross country is not just a sport concerned with mindless running.
QOTD: How cold is too cold for cats?
16 December 2008
Palenque, The Mayan City - This ruin of one of the most prosperous of all Mayan cities became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.Bikini Alert - Intriguing and informative Entry explaining the code that is specifically used to classify terrorist threats.
® The Giant Carrion Flower - Also known as Stapelia Gigantea, it's the largest flowered succulent plant species in the world.
QOTD: Poor Debbie McGee. … Never thought I'd be saying that.
17 December 2008
British Orchids: The Insect Mimics - These beguiling, remarkable orchids take on the aspect of bees, flies and spiders.Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: Part Three - Continuing with this excellent series of Entries which sees Gandhi visit London.
® The Romans in Britain: Agriculture - For the Romans, agriculture was essential, providing food and the chance to trade.
QOTD: My mother used to insist that I call the milkman 'Daddy'...
18 December 2008
Unity: the Number One - It's the first number we register in counting, yet we reserve the description 'number' for items in plural.The Atheist Bus Campaign - A response to a perceived increase in the number of adverts for Christianity appearing on London buses.
® Ear Wax - Produced in the outer ear, this cerumen-heavy substance plays a vital part in cleaning and protecting the ear.
QOTD: "Star Wars", for example, is not science fiction, it is "space opera".
19 December 2008
The History of Marks and Spencer - 'Marks and Sparks' actually started out as a little market stall in Leeds over 100 years ago.Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: Part Four - Concluding Entry on the Indian leader's turbulent and ultimately tragic final years.
® Champagne and Sparkling Wine - There's nothing quite like popping open a bottle of bubbly for celebrating the moment!
QOTD: To be honest, all I remember about Blake's Seven is that in the far future the humble bra will become obselete as an item of female clothing...
22 December 2008
Tikal, The Mayan City - This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ruin of arguably the greatest Mayan city of all time.Hawksbill Turtles - These magnificent creatures are the only species in their genus and are listed as critically endangered.
® How to Make Vinyl Bowls - CDs and MP3s may have replaced them but it doesn't mean you should throw your 45s away.
QOTD: "I'm glad I'm not a spider - I'd be terrified of myself!"
23 December 2008
Decorative Nutcrackers: a Christmas Tradition - Often shaped like a person, these nutcrackers do the job our human hands simply cannot.The Drawer - Every household has one of these, an indispensable drawer jam-packed full of ultimately rather dispensable stuff.
® Real Bread-making - Bread made from whole and natural ingredients is a staple food providing integral protein, carbohydrates and fibre.
QOTD: A MERRY XMAS, AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR, TO ALL THAT AS KEPT THE THREAD ALIVE, FOR ANOTHER YEAR,2009 ON THE WAY
24 December 2008
Queensland, Australia - The vastness of this state is indicated by the first sign on the way out of Brisbane Airport: Cairns 1699km.The Lady's-slipper Orchid - Probably the most eye-catching of all the British orchids, its flower stem is born from a rosette of large leaves.
® Astral Projection - A non-scientific theory that attempts to explain the perceived effects of meditation and 'out of body experiences'.
QOTD: Merry Christmas to one and all on H2G2, … except of course if you do not recognise or celebrate Christmas
29 December 2008
The Cable Cars of San Francisco - Part of the city's heritage, this is the only place in the world where cable cars are still running.New South Wales, Australia - The state has the dubious honour of being where most of the European settlers were dumped.
® How to Practise Music - If you're thinking of taking up a musical instrument, here are some useful pointers to help you along the way.
QOTD: I am fed up with having to remove tide marks from clean cutlery that hasn't been allowed to dry properly
30 December 2008
British Orchids: Dactylorhiza - Their habitat ranges from roadside verges to dense marshland, from gardens to golf courses.The Crab Nebula - A fantastic object in the night sky, described by astronomers as 'the mess that is left when a star explodes.'
® The Commedia dell'Arte - This is believed to have begun in Italy, though itinerant bands of players would have travelled all of Europe.
QOTD: New Orleans, piano man, turkey twizzlers, Countdown.
31 December 2008
Uxmal, The Mayan City - Located in Mexico, this ancient and spectacular ruin has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.Class and Citizenship in the Roman Republic - It is a popular myth that rulers were Patrician and common people were Plebeian.
® This Page Intentionally Left Blank - Found in instruction manuals, it's one of the oddest sentences in the English language.
QOTD: You can't have too many socks.
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