Leece's Ramblings: May 2016

All on for tonight. Elaine Walker I don't think a long drive on a cold night and a late night out will help your recovery so stay in the warm and be virtual as needed.

Thursday, 26 May 2016

Emu dad and can you see the two chicks?

Emu dad and can you see the two chicks?
https://panoptes-uploads.zooniverse.org/production/subject_location/f8c7038c-3893-4702-a4ef-2afccc2fcf1c.jpeg

Macropods aren't bothered at all by the camera traps at Western Shield...

Macropods aren't bothered at all by the camera traps at Western Shield https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/birgus2/western-shield-camera-watch/classify
https://panoptes-uploads.zooniverse.org/production/subject_location/5f047954-6574-4f5a-a517-8c6e235097ab.jpeg

I'm excited to see that Western Shield has a zooniverse project classifying the night life of the Western Australian...

I'm excited to see that Western Shield has a zooniverse project classifying the night life of the Western Australian Jarrah Forest.

That's practically my backyard! Have a look!

https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/birgus2/western-shield-camera-watch/classify
https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/birgus2/western-shield-camera-watch/classify

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Might be of interest - on in Perth tomorrow night.

Might be of interest - on in Perth tomorrow night. RSVP here - http://wilderness.nationbuilder.com/may_welcome_event_20160525

" Stretching from the wheatbelt to the Nullarbor Plain, this is the largest intact temperate woodland left on earth. In fact, it is about the same size as England.

But it's not just size that makes it so special, it has incredible species richness. The GWW has around 3000 species of flowering plants, a fifth of all known flora in Australia. It also supports an array of mammals, reptiles, frogs and birds. Aboriginal occupation is currently dated back 22,000 years and it is also a place of cultural significance. "
http://www.weekendnotes.com/great-western-woodlands-talk/?sb=1&i=1&j=3&k=1&wemid=59004&wuid=792174&ap=AEJIWNpRX4

Friday, 20 May 2016

Vrrrrrrroooooooooom!

Vrrrrrrroooooooooom!
http://www.yucata.de/en/GameInfo/Automobiles

All on for tonight. BYO food.

Thursday, 19 May 2016

This is www.yucata.de 's latest addition.

This is www.yucata.de 's latest addition. Automobiles is a racing game, and it's a lot of fun! I'm usually fairly lukewarm on racegames, but I like the feel of this. The little animation yucata does is pretty cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jjy268HTZY&feature=share

Tuesday, 17 May 2016

If you have a preference, would you like me to bring a game or two?

If you have a preference, would you like me to bring a game or two?
Love you!

#AN225 #AntonovPerth

#AN225 #AntonovPerth
http://leecetheartist.dreamwidth.org/354551.html#cutid1

Also considered other Antonov 225 photos taken today and the day before yesterday for the Sport of plane spotting,...

Also considered other Antonov 225 photos taken today and the day before yesterday for the Sport of plane spotting, but in the end went with the night shot I posted today. This aircraft is the largest plane in the world, and it landed here in Perth a couple of days ago. Perth went Antonov crazy.

WPP2016 - Week 16 - Sports

WPP2016 - Week 16 - Sports

+Ken Fowkes, Alen Ianni , Tim Kennedy , Robyn King , Rob Masters , Bernhard Rembold , Byron S , Francesco Scaglioni , Alicia Smith , Grandma Snyder , Navin Upendran and Mary Wardell

#WPP2016
#WPP2016-Wk-16-Sports

Just before 6am this morning, enthusiastic plane lovers grouped in the freezing morning for a glimpse of the Antonov 225 before it took off. Not a great photo - handheld, autofocus, ISO right up. But I've got the plane, the crowd and the Tower, and hopefully in some way the sense of jubilant watchfulness. And the cold. Well, it wasn't really that cold, but still, couldn't feel our feet after a while.

#antonovperth

#antonovperth
https://goo.gl/photos/9ZWMATiiCi9vu72g7

Brrrrrr it was cold. #antonovperth

Brrrrrr it was cold. #antonovperth
https://goo.gl/photos/4YCdp22dvZGth5zD6

Sunday, 15 May 2016

#antonovperth

Friday, 13 May 2016

Mostly for Australians, spread the word to your boardgame designing friends and people who collect old games.

Mostly for Australians, spread the word to your boardgame designing friends and people who collect old games.

Originally shared by Alicia Smith

The National Library of Australia's game section needs your boardgaming assistance. If you're an Australian Designer or remember some old games, you could help!

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/22664462#22664462
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/22664462#22664462

The National Library of Australia's game section needs your boardgaming assistance.

The National Library of Australia's game section needs your boardgaming assistance. If you're an Australian Designer or remember some old games, you could help!

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/22664462#22664462
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/22664462#22664462

I usually regard fan fiction with loathing, usually repressed with polite silence when people go on about it.

I usually regard fan fiction with loathing, usually repressed with polite silence when people go on about it. On very rare occasions - usually about once every couple of years, a notable exception may come to my attention. There was that one with Captain America's public relations http://idiopath-fic-smile.tumblr.com/post/117149098318/steve-rogers-pr-disaster-gen-4k or the one with Sherlock and Mornington Crescent http://definewisdom.livejournal.com/36181.html . This time it involves Hermione and money. Lots of money. http://the-toast.net/2016/05/11/the-first-line-of-every-fan-fiction-i-have-started-writing-once-i-found-out-emma-watson-was-named-in-the-panama-papers/
http://the-toast.net/2016/05/11/the-first-line-of-every-fan-fiction-i-have-started-writing-once-i-found-out-emma-watson-was-named-in-the-panama-papers/

The hunt for the Fisher King will continue tonight, as far as I know anyway. BYO food.

Thursday, 12 May 2016

A side effect of these Trekz bone conducting headphones I did not expect.

A side effect of these Trekz bone conducting headphones I did not expect. The start of the Shoes Remix of This Too Shall Pass from OK Go sounds like pop rocks are going off in my sinus cavities. I don't have the volume up very high but nevertheless.

Check your email when you can please sweety! :-*

Wednesday, 11 May 2016

I will definitely be going to this one!

Originally shared by Alicia Smith

I will definitely be going to this one!

WPP2016 - Week 15 - Architecture

WPP2016 - Week 15 - Architecture

+Ken Fowkes, Alen Ianni , Tim Kennedy , Robyn King , Rob Masters , Bernhard Rembold , Byron S , Francesco Scaglioni , Alicia Smith , Grandma Snyder , Navin Upendran and Mary Wardell

#WPP2016
#WPP2016-Wk-15-Architecture

Again, like Week 14 straight out of phone camera.

WPP2016 - Week 14 - Silhouettes

WPP2016 - Week 14 - Silhouettes

+Ken Fowkes, Alen Ianni , Tim Kennedy , Robyn King , Rob Masters , Bernhard Rembold , Byron S , Francesco Scaglioni , Alicia Smith , Grandma Snyder , Navin Upendran and Mary Wardell

#WPP2016
#WPP2016-Wk-14-Silhouettes

Didn't turn out quite the way I wanted it. Oh well.

Tuesday, 10 May 2016

The scam is going around again.

The scam is going around again. The Australian Tax Office doesn't call you up demanding funds like this. I've just had a call, and it's time for a reminder.

You're probably well aware that this sort of call is a scam, but there are more vulnerable people out there. If you know people who might be fooled by this, whether they're older or unaware, warn them.

I know some people like to lead these callers on but the advice from Scamwatch is:

"Be on guard, if you receive a phone call from someone saying you have an arrest warrant and asking you to pay a fee, hang up and do not respond. If in doubt, don’t use the contact details provided - look up the government department or organisation yourself in the phone book or online and phone or email them."

Sunday, 8 May 2016

Well, if you click on this and enter, I will get more entries. It would be cool to win!

Well, if you click on this and enter, I will get more entries. It would be cool to win!
https://store.boingboing.net/giveaways/the-10-years-of-netflix-giveaway?gid=3036350

Rob's recipe. Easily adapted for slow cooker or thermomix. Works very well with turkey.

Rob's recipe. Easily adapted for slow cooker or thermomix. Works very well with turkey.

This is a South/Central American dish, dating back to the Incas. It falls into
the category of 'Apocryphal Dishes', that you often hear about, but never
actually see or taste. ^_^

Here's your chance to make it less so.

This recipe is a 'best of breed' version, selected from bits of a number
of variations around the place. It works, and works well. The flavours are
surprisingly well balanced, and the cocoa's bitterness is moderated nicely
by the tang of the tomatoes and the bite of the chilli.

Ingredients:

4 large chicken breasts, cubed.
2 large green capsicums, cut fine.
2 large brown onions, chopped fine.
2 garlic cloves, crushed.
1 hot green chilli.
1 red chilli (serrano, or similar).
1/2 tsp chilli powder (or more for a hotter dish)
2 tbspn tomato paste.
1 large tin chopped tomatoes.
1 1/2 cups chicken stock.
2 tsp ground cumin.
4 tbsp cocoa powder.
1 tbsp sugar.
Oil to cook.

Method:

Saute the onion and garlic, then add the chicken and chillies with 1/2tsp
cumin and brown. Add the green capsicum and fry gently until tender.

Make a paste with the cocoa powder and some of the stock, then add the rest of
the ingredients to make a thick sauce. Mix well.

Spread the cooked chicken and vegetables in a large baking dish, and cover
with the sauce. Bake in a low to moderate oven for 1 hour.

Serve hot with rice or corn bread, and a side salad.

Serves 4-6, with leftovers :-)

Friday, 6 May 2016

Well it's all on for tonight. BYO food. Rob will run his Fisher King in London game if we have the numbers.

It's got curiosity value, certainly.

It's got curiosity value, certainly.

Originally shared by Stephen Gunnell

Snort! Clarke and Dawe commenting on the budget by doing a parody of Antiques Roadshow immediately after the evenings AR episode.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-05/clarke-and-dawe:-an-exciting-moment-for-bryan/7388094
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-05/clarke-and-dawe:-an-exciting-moment-for-bryan/7388094

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

Voting Australians, take a moment.

Voting Australians, take a moment.

Originally shared by John Samuel

Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the new (and greatly improved) senate voting rules.

NB: not a mobile friendly page (because Senate ballots will still be large).
http://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/How_to_vote/practice/practice-senate.htm

Tuesday, 3 May 2016

Remember that performance you saw ages ago but the details are gone?

Remember that performance you saw ages ago but the details are gone? http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/browse/ may well be able to remember for you. And don't forget to register your performances with them!
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/browse

Something I'd consider backing if I'd not sworn off Kickstarter for a year.

Something I'd consider backing if I'd not sworn off Kickstarter for a year. I have a nice collection of the Looney Labs works, but this looks really cool. I'm still lusting after Santorini https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/roxley/santorini-learn-it-in-30-seconds-play-it-for-life but I'm safe from it now, its campaign has ended.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/looneylabs/pyramid-arcade/

Monday, 2 May 2016

Roslyn Smith , you might be particularly interested.

Roslyn Smith , you might be particularly interested. Also I get more entries in the draw, should you enter via the link below.
https://wn.nr/6yD43r

Sunday, 1 May 2016

For your reading pleasure.

For your reading pleasure.

Originally shared by Alicia Smith

The Foreigner a comedy by Larry Shue directed by Rob Warner.

Indubitably remarkable.

There are kind of spoilers below. Mild ones. For those who don't want to be spoiled the short form is: Go see it, it's funny and it does my favourite play justice. Then come back and read my review.

Wed 4 May 2016, 8:00pm
Frid 6 May 2016, 8:00pm
Sat 7 May 2016, 8:00pm

Marloo Theatre 20 Marloo Road, Darlington, Perth

For tickets phone 92551783 or visit https://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=184826

Today I saw the matinee for Darlington Theatre Players production of the Foreigner, my favourite play in all the world. I saw it once, in the 80's it must have been sometime, a professional production at the Regal Theatre in Subiaco. They have the poster for it up on their website.

I'd only seen it once, since then. I've done readings and read the script and even got a copy of the other Shue play. And it'd been a long time since I'd seen the last time. Must be at least 10 years. It either doesn't played or I miss it when it comes.

But by chance, I got wind of this production and dragged 4 other people to see it with me, only one of whom had seen it before and didn't remember it, alas. Because it's one of the funniest plays out there and it's so very sad that Larry Shue died so young because he was shaping up great as a playwright.

Briefly, The Foreigner is about a very shy Englishmen, who through the machinations of his more outgoing friend, masquerades as a "Foreigner" to avoid conversation during his holiday at a fishing lodge in the deep south of America. This has unexpected consequences.

The production by the Darlington Theatre Players rivals the professional production I saw when the play first hit Australia which started my life long love of this play. In fact I think it may have the edge.

The set is a dream - I don't know how many hours they must have spent on it. Humourous touches like the only maps available being those of Georgia, the state where the play is set. Lots of fish proudly mounted on the wall of the fishing lodge where everything occurs. Very rustic place. Super effects of the storm and other things-I-can't-tell-you-about-because-spoilers lighting and sound effects.

This is a play that needs careful direction which Robert Warner has certainly more than just cut the mustard. It also needs a sensitive feel for the words and emotion - it's very cleverly written and the characters - especially that of Charlie and Froggy have to be amazingly played.

Fortunately they have in this production hit upon two actors who are perfect for the job. Keith Scrivens, who plays Froggy is wonderfully energetic and you can't help but like him. Watch his expressions, he's wonderful.

But of course it's Joe Isaia as Charlie Baker who has the limelight and he's ~marvellous~. It's not often that you can get someone who can play a serious and sensitive character and couple it with physical comedy, and in this version they don't do the Beautsky Dottsky Marla perfomance with hand gestures, oh no, Joe Isaia as Charlie races from one side of the stage to the other as first Marla "Hopni Skipni tre dewoods" and then the slovenly Broshnei! Broshnei! (spelling approximate) creature on their fateful meeting during Charlie's story. It is one of the highlights of my theatre going experience. He is a great Charlie and it's him I'll think of as Charlie from now on.

Blake Prosser, who plays Ellard Simms, a young lad with an unspecified learning disability, maybe Asperger's, autism or something - not necessarily stupid, just different. And that's important, because this could have just turned him into a plot device, not a human being. And in this production he makes us see Ellard as a human being, and is a great partner in the breakfast physical comedy shenanigans. Like the Mirror Scene with Groucho? You'll like this.

Kylie Isaia plays Catherine Simms, Ellard's sister a bored and uncertain ex-debutante engaged to the local minister. She does a great job as a young woman trying to mask her uncertainties by a bored sarcasm and her delivery of Catherine's rather pointed remarks on occasion hits the nail on the head.

Richard Hadler as Owen Musser is really quite scary. I'm sure he's really a nice guy but the air of barely contained violence and the wilful ignorance of someone who is sure they're right is sobering. He was great in the role. The audience jumped when his character lost it and you could see it building in his expression, tone and entire body language. If they handed out menace Oscars Hadler would be a shoo-in.

Rodney van Groningen played David Lee, the minister engaged to the sarcastic Catherine. His is a complex role and it was brilliantly done, so much so that the audience were reacting to his very presence as he came on in the second act. His delivery was masterful.

Last but not least the wonderful Jacqui Warner played Betty Meeks, the widowed proprietor of the fishing lodge where the play's set. She could easily have overdone it, but played this Southern widow with restraint and great good humour. Again, what could have been a caricature came across as a very human person with more than their fair share of tragedy, gradually being warmed. It was lovely to see.

Timing, feeling, props, set, lights, sound and delivery. This is a fine production.

I love this play, and I love this production of it. I'm hoping to see it again before it closes.

Thank you Darlington Theatre Players, I will definitely be coming to see your production of Weird Sisters.

10/10 Splendid and finding that all your costume jewelry has turned into real jewels on the Sid and Nancy Scale.

The Foreigner a comedy by Larry Shue directed by Rob Warner.

The Foreigner a comedy by Larry Shue directed by Rob Warner.

Indubitably remarkable.

There are kind of spoilers below. Mild ones. For those who don't want to be spoiled the short form is: Go see it, it's funny and it does my favourite play justice. Then come back and read my review.

Wed 4 May 2016, 8:00pm
Frid 6 May 2016, 8:00pm
Sat 7 May 2016, 8:00pm

Marloo Theatre 20 Marloo Road, Darlington, Perth

For tickets phone 92551783 or visit https://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=184826

Today I saw the matinee for Darlington Theatre Players production of the Foreigner, my favourite play in all the world. I saw it once, in the 80's it must have been sometime, a professional production at the Regal Theatre in Subiaco. They have the poster for it up on their website.

I'd only seen it once, since then. I've done readings and read the script and even got a copy of the other Shue play. And it'd been a long time since I'd seen the last time. Must be at least 10 years. It either doesn't played or I miss it when it comes.

But by chance, I got wind of this production and dragged 4 other people to see it with me, only one of whom had seen it before and didn't remember it, alas. Because it's one of the funniest plays out there and it's so very sad that Larry Shue died so young because he was shaping up great as a playwright.

Briefly, The Foreigner is about a very shy Englishmen, who through the machinations of his more outgoing friend, masquerades as a "Foreigner" to avoid conversation during his holiday at a fishing lodge in the deep south of America. This has unexpected consequences.

The production by the Darlington Theatre Players rivals the professional production I saw when the play first hit Australia which started my life long love of this play. In fact I think it may have the edge.

The set is a dream - I don't know how many hours they must have spent on it. Humourous touches like the only maps available being those of Georgia, the state where the play is set. Lots of fish proudly mounted on the wall of the fishing lodge where everything occurs. Very rustic place. Super effects of the storm and other things-I-can't-tell-you-about-because-spoilers lighting and sound effects.

This is a play that needs careful direction which Robert Warner has certainly more than just cut the mustard. It also needs a sensitive feel for the words and emotion - it's very cleverly written and the characters - especially that of Charlie and Froggy have to be amazingly played.

Fortunately they have in this production hit upon two actors who are perfect for the job. Keith Scrivens, who plays Froggy is wonderfully energetic and you can't help but like him. Watch his expressions, he's wonderful.

But of course it's Joe Isaia as Charlie Baker who has the limelight and he's ~marvellous~. It's not often that you can get someone who can play a serious and sensitive character and couple it with physical comedy, and in this version they don't do the Beautsky Dottsky Marla perfomance with hand gestures, oh no, Joe Isaia as Charlie races from one side of the stage to the other as first Marla "Hopni Skipni tre dewoods" and then the slovenly Broshnei! Broshnei! (spelling approximate) creature on their fateful meeting during Charlie's story. It is one of the highlights of my theatre going experience. He is a great Charlie and it's him I'll think of as Charlie from now on.

Blake Prosser, who plays Ellard Simms, a young lad with an unspecified learning disability, maybe Asperger's, autism or something - not necessarily stupid, just different. And that's important, because this could have just turned him into a plot device, not a human being. And in this production he makes us see Ellard as a human being, and is a great partner in the breakfast physical comedy shenanigans. Like the Mirror Scene with Groucho? You'll like this.

Kylie Isaia plays Catherine Simms, Ellard's sister a bored and uncertain ex-debutante engaged to the local minister. She does a great job as a young woman trying to mask her uncertainties by a bored sarcasm and her delivery of Catherine's rather pointed remarks on occasion hits the nail on the head.

Richard Hadler as Owen Musser is really quite scary. I'm sure he's really a nice guy but the air of barely contained violence and the wilful ignorance of someone who is sure they're right is sobering. He was great in the role. The audience jumped when his character lost it and you could see it building in his expression, tone and entire body language. If they handed out menace Oscars Hadler would be a shoo-in.

Rodney van Groningen played David Lee, the minister engaged to the sarcastic Catherine. His is a complex role and it was brilliantly done, so much so that the audience were reacting to his very presence as he came on in the second act. His delivery was masterful.

Last but not least the wonderful Jacqui Warner played Betty Meeks, the widowed proprietor of the fishing lodge where the play's set. She could easily have overdone it, but played this Southern widow with restraint and great good humour. Again, what could have been a caricature came across as a very human person with more than their fair share of tragedy, gradually being warmed. It was lovely to see.

Timing, feeling, props, set, lights, sound and delivery. This is a fine production.

I love this play, and I love this production of it. I'm hoping to see it again before it closes.

Thank you Darlington Theatre Players, I will definitely be coming to see your production of Weird Sisters.

10/10 Splendid and finding that all your costume jewelry has turned into real jewels on the Sid and Nancy Scale.