Tchaikovsky committed suicide by taking arsenic in order to avoid allegations of a homosexual affair (1893)
BEZOARS
Bezoars are collections of solidified matter that form within the stomach or small intestines. Commonly found in animals (especially grass-eating ruminants), bezoars have been traditionally prized for their "magical" powers. For example, Lapis bezoar orientale, obtained from the stomachs of antelopes and Persian wild goats, was considered to be particularly effective against poison. (The word bezoar derives from Persian badzahr: bad meaning "against," and zahr meaning "poison.") In rare cases, usually associated with psychiatric disorders, bezoars occur in human beings. If bezoars grow to form an obstruction, they may require surgical removal. Three classical types of human bezoar are recognized:
Trichobezoar: a collection of hair Phytobezoar: a collection of fruits and vegetable matter Trichophytobezoar: a collection of hair and fruit and vegetable matter
Good prose is like a window pane. George Orwell (1903-50)
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, in Washington State, collapsed, only four months after its completion (1940)
TUSSER'S PERFECT CHEESE
In his elaborate text Five Hundred Good Points of Husbandry (1573), Thomas Tusser presents ten characteristics the perfect cheese must have:
Not like Gehazi, i.e., dead white, like a leper Not like Lot's wife, all salt Not like Argus, full of eyes Not like Tom Piper, "hoven and puffed" Not like Crispin, leathery Not like Lazarus, poor Not like Esau, hairy Not like Mary Magdalene, full of why or maudlin Not like the Gentiles, full of maggots Not like a Bishop, made of burnt milk
When you're at war, you think about a better life; when you're at peace you think about a more comfortable one. Thornton Wilder (1897-1975)
Spent much of the morning and afternoon at the dojo helping out with a promotion, and then went to my parents' place for relaxation and dinner. Last night, I had a wine-tasting night with friends, at which food was eaten, wine was drunk, and the Shore Leave roast of me was screened.
I also did some revisions work on Heart of the Dragon, and I'm currently catching up on various bits of TV.
Right now I'm watching Stargate Universe on the DVR with a cat in my lap. *smile*
