Bowie paper dolls

More Bowie paper dolls here! what a fantastical collection! I love this post for all its enthusiasm!

And just a picture of fantastic Mr Bowie with a fantastic Mr cake Source here

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Witch trials

Witch trials are a particularly fascinating historical topic. We can look back now and think how un-scientific and ridiculous this must have been, this is the great thing about history, undoubtedly there will be things in our time that we find completely normal that future generations will look back on in wonder, asking why we bothered.

Below is a scene depicted in a pamphlet from the witch trials of Trier in Germany. They ran from 1581- 1593, and were one of the biggest witch trials in all of Europe.

Over 300 people died, but many guess that as many as 1000 people perished in these paranoid trials.

(Image source here)

And below is a monument in Vardo, Norway. in 1621, 91 people were killed. This memorial was opened in 2011. 

(Image source here)

What monuments to the pass shall our descendants erect for their ancestors I wonder

I freaking love history

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EDIT: LAPHAM'S QUARTERLY (a wonderful treasure trove!) had this graphic, a brilliant way to make history fun and relevant: So you've been accused of witchcraft?! (click to enlarge)

The lost undertaker, Canberra

(Image source: here )

Going through an internet loop, I came across an article 'Mysterious undertaker riding a coffin appears on Australian lake' and was thunderstruck when I read that the 'Australian lake' in question was Canberra's very own (man-made!) Lake Burley-Griffin.

Was a literary archetype (Villain? Hero? Friendly reminder that death comes to us all?) here in the country's capital the whole time I've lived here? Did he float in from another state? And that most silly question people ask 'why would he do this, what does he want?' apparently when Mashable tried to contact a person they speculated was 'The Lost Undertaker' as he has come to be known, they received this email, apparently not from the figure they thought might be him.

'Unlike Superman, Robin Hood, Zorro, Spiderman, Batman and Wonderwoman, who all revealed their identity to the detriment of their purpose; The Lost Undertaker wishes to hide his true identity. His purpose is to give hope to the oppressed and put the fear of God into the oppressors, villains and rogues that surround us all.'

I for one kind of love this! This obsession people have with 'knowing' who people are dilutes the magic and perhaps the message (The Stig comes to mind). A solitary figure paddling around in the misty morning is an image many won't be able to remove from their mind, particularly when around the lake.

(Image source: here )

(Image source here )

(Image cource here )

(Image source here )

Some of the people in the linked articles talked to him:

“We asked 'coffin man,' 'Where are you going'? His response was, 'To Queanbeyan cemetery as I have a 3 p.m. grave site to prepare,’

The imagery and mystery he has managed to conjure is bang on, especially if he just wants to (perhaps, merely my own speculation) remind us all that in the end, death comes to us all.

(Image source here )

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CODA: And maps and plans

A very beautiful animated short well worth your time to see

Wonderful! By And maps and plans

Sourcce: Youtube, as above

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Step back in time

SJP

Bianca Jagger

Winona Ryder

John Waters and Iggy Pop

Mariannae Faithfull

Bjork

Raquel Welch and Ringo Starr

All pictures via Pinterest

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Finally accessible lofty academic ideals...

(Source: School of life Youtube channel, link below)

The School of Life Youtube channel, here, is one of my favourite internet pit stops. In my weekly round up of trying to understand world events, and not be crushed by them, the School of life has a great narrative, a philosophical, slightly melancholy, but most importantly- an understandable narrative.

Though still a student (people love boxes and labels and people to put in the boxes with labels!) I find it frustrating and to be perfectly frank- annoying- how lofty academic ideals are held up on a pedestal, accessed by only the smartest most wonderful academics. NO! This is one of the places where the internet demonstrates its charm, in an age of information, ignorance is a choice.

The internet connects us with many dialogues, many ideas, many idealists. It can be an important tool (and at times, a weapon) of trying to further understand the world we are in. Many great works of art, literature, music and social commentary are at our fingertips. 

We can share a laugh with others: (Source: Sassy Socialist Memes, via their Facebook page)

We can access history, PDF's of books, documentaries. Philosophy, history and politics are for everyone, and for those with a greater interest, finally these academic ideas which remained so high on a much-praised shelf of inaccessible academia, are being widely proliferated for anyone to see.

Of course, though one must navigate a few crazy keyboard warriors and find primary sources and verify their facts, as the dark side of the internet is that any ridiculous view, no matter how extreme will be shared by someone else with an internet connection.

I love the work the School of Life Youtube channel showcases, finally 'big ideas' are broken down and shared in an arena where perhaps we can share a sense of perspective.

Images as credited

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Ghost writer monster/ Gooey-Gus

THIS entry nails it! I was perhaps around 6 years old, and the bubblegum monster of Gooey Gus was as hard as it is to believe now looking at him- simply terrifying!

I was even convinced he would show up at school to get me, so laughable! A great albeit haunted memory, and a wonderful blog post, good to see I wasn't the only one scarred by this experience, as I am still quite bitter at not receiving my Hogwarts letter too, too much for one person to stand!

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As linked above for GIF