Going to Pot

Back from college this evening so thought I'd post a few comments about how my ceramics work is progressing.

These past few months I've been developing some coil pots, which is not method I've really used for many years. Production has much slower than say throwing on the wheel. With coiling you can only added so many layers of coiled clay at a time before you have to consolidate and allow the clay to dry a little, otherwise it might collapse. Also at present I can only work at college, so I get just over two hours a week to work. What it is to have your own facilities and come and go as you please!

So why use coiling, some might ask? Well it's a valid and traditional production method, a good skill to master. You don't need fancy equipment- in fact some of the best coil pots I have seen were produced using the husk from a corn cob! For me it is allowing me time to think more about the forms I wish to develop. In so doing I am moving away from regular, functional forms towards purely ornamental work.

The image above is my current work-in-progress which I have just sent for Bisque firing. I also have loaded in the Glaze kiln another piece, which should be back next Tuesday all being well. Maybe I'll post a pic of it if I'm happy with the outcome.



30 Oct 07 W says: oh how cool i love it is that one from coils hun?

Isn't it Getting Dark Early?

I love Autumn (or the Fall if you're Trans- atlantically challenged) and now the clocks have changed, we're officially there. All those colours on the trees and leaves on the ground to kick through. Wrapping up warm and taking long walks, maybe with a dog if you have one, to a pub with a fire, good food and hopefully good company. I dream of hearty meals ending with Apple Pie and Custard, Hot Sticky Toffee Pudding or perhaps Spotted Dick.

Looking back at some of my old blogs, I realise it is at this time of year I have previously taken myself off to West Dean College to pot for a week. I had promised myself if I got back into full-time employment, I would go again. Last Autumn didn't count as technically I was temping via an agency but what was my excuse this year? I don't know. It's not as if I'm not still addicted to ceramics so maybe I need give this some thought what happened...

<< http://www.westdean.org.uk/ >>

Remember Remember the 27th of October...

Doesn't have quite the same ring to it does it? LOL

Anyway took Little Lad to the local fireworks display last night (they always hold it a week early, gets a good crowd). He's watched them from a window before but at nearly four this was his first time actually going to an organised display. Had the usual half hour or so delay; good job it was a mild night. Despite spending the whole program with his hands over his ears, he had a wide smile on his face the whole time and finished by saying "Daddy can we stay and watch some more?"

Elsewhere yesterday, Reading FC- the Royals- beat Newcastle 2:1 at home. Puts them back to 12th in the Premiership and on exactly the same number of points as this time last year. Well done.

Completely missed the clocks changing, missed out on a lay in.

Back To Work

Returned to work this morning after a couple of days sick leave having picked up a 48- hour virus. There seems to be a lot about at present.

Believe me, vomiting and diarrhoea at the same time was not pleasant at all Sunday night. Due to then having a very tender stomach, when I was finally able to get to sleep Monday morning it was only on my already weakened back. Spent the rest of the time unable to stand, sit or lay due to the pain in my lower back. Woe is me!

Dad was up in the early hours of this morning, having picked up the bug more than likely from me. I just hope that thanks to all the drugs she is taking, mum avoids this one. She really could do without it. Should know by Friday I guess.




24 Oct 07 Muffinhead says: awww hugs to u all dont dare smitt me while im huggin ya tho mista

24 Oct 07 Dawney says: Did tell you ot was a sickness virus. Could be a lot worse as I still have mine. Wasnt as quick as yours and has lasted 4 days already.. Boo Hoo

Dumbledore is Gay

So J K Rowling has said that Albus Dumbledore is gay. She's the author, he is her creation so I guess she has every right to say whatever she wants about him.

I've even read she's had to put the folks behind the next film straight, as they seemed set to write him a little piece of backstory that would have given him a female former love. Well that sure wasn't in the books so I'm with her on that but equally I don't recall reading anything to really suggest the Head of Hogwarts School was Gay, Straight or Bi. I've always preferred to make up my own mind.

It's great J K has the confidence to make a statement like this but in the same way we are clear on Harry's sexual preference why couldn't she have made Dumbledore's position clear in the books? Or were Rowling and the publishers worried it would have hurt sales I wonder?

Was it necessary for J K to announce this now? What next- that Haggid has a liking for Blast Ended S.... no don't even go there. LOL




21 Oct 07 David says: My response: "so what"? So what if he's gay or he likes peanut butter on fried pickles, what difference does it make?

I Must Have a Great Mind.... LOL

Got this today from my friend of mine so I thought I would share. Makes you wonder what schooling really does do for you, doesn't it....?

Only great minds can read this
This is weird, but interesting!

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too

Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot...

Let's hear it for the England Rugby team. Well done boys and good luck for the World Cup final on Saturday.

Recommends

This week I will mostly be listening to Deborah Harry.

Mixed News

Yesterday the consultant said he was reasonably happy with mum's progress.

They want to restart chemo treatment as soon as possible but she is not yet strong enough by a long shot. Despite the results the other week from the Path' Lab, he also believes mum still has the C Diff bug and is unlikely to shift it for a couple more months. According to him you can't shift it just like that, especially if your immune system is so low in the first place.

So they want to do some more tests and then another consultation in about 3 weeks.

BTW there's no reason for the picture, other than I grew up on Thunderbirds and loved it as a child. The recent movie was pants though

Oncologist

Mum has an appointment with the hospital Oncologist (the head honcho cancer consultant to you and me) tomorrow and again on 12 Oct.

Fingers crossed.