Truth Universally Acknowledged

The title of this blog is an obvious reference to my favourite author, Jane Austen. My other great inspiration is Ella Fitzgerald. I intend this site to be general musings about things which interest me, and hopefully you as well.

Name:
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

I'm a girl in her twenties living in New Zealand - of Irish and Scottish descent. I'm married to a wonderful guy and we live in a tiny house in the suburbs with a menagerie of soft toys and model aircraft. My main occupations at the moment are attempting to become and author and surviving my day job... wish me luck!


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The Truth Universally Acknowledged Resource Centre (UK)

Browse stuff I like at Amazon.co.uk.


The Truth Universally Acknowledged Resource Centre (US)

Browse stuff I like at Amazon.com.

Tuesday, 24 May 2005

An interesting read

Who knows if these are true, but I like to think they are, as it explains a few things...

In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are "limbs", therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, "Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg".

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As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and October)! Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn't wash the wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term "big wig". Today we often use the term "here comes the Big Wig" because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.

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In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, and was used for dining. The "head of the household" always sat in the chair while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge. They called the one sitting in the chair the "chair man". Today in business, we use the expression or title "Chairman" or "Chairman of the Board".

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Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, many women and men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee's wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions. When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman's face she was told, "mind your own bee's wax". Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term "crack a smile". In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt ... therefore, the expression "losing face".

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Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front. A proper and dignified woman, as in "straight laced"... wore a tightly tied lace.

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Common entertainment included playing cards. However, there was a tax levied when purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the "Ace of Spades". To avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards instead. Yet, since most games require 52 cards, these people were thought to be stupid or dumb because they weren't "playing with a full deck".

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Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there were no telephones, TVs or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to "go sip some ale" and listen to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. "You go sip here" and "You go sip there". The two words "go sip" were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we have the term "gossip".

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At local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint and quart-sized containers. A bar maid's job was to keep an eye on the customers and keep the drinks coming. She had to pay close attention and remember who was drinking in "pints" and who was
drinking in "quarts," hence the term "minding your "P's and Q's".

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In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannons fired round iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon. However, how to prevent them from rolling about the deck? The best storage method devised was a square-based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem...how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding or rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a "Monkey" with 16 round indentations. However, if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make "Brass Monkeys". Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannonballs would come right off the monkey. Thus, it was quite literally, "Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey".

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Friday, 20 May 2005

On hair and de ja movies

First, I’d just like to say how nice it is to see Oprah wearing her hair in a thick, curly style. When I wear mine like that because I have no other choice, at least I can think that she had her hair like that and it looked okay. The only thing is she’s black, so it looks normal, whereas I am pale and freckly and stand out. Oh well – it gives me some hope for future hair fashion trends.

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I was reading about Ashton Kutcher’s new movie, “A Lot Like Love” just now. Am I the only one who thinks it sound exactly the same as “When Harry Met Sally?”. There’s no possible way it could be a better movie. Why don’t they just describe it as: “A bad modern re-make of the classic WHMS”? Just be honest.

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Tuesday, 17 May 2005

Mystery piano man

Is this story amazing? A man was found wandering along a beach in Kent, UK, in the pouring rain. He hasn't talked for six weeks - he only draws and plays the piano like a master. Very intriguing.

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Cut off from the world

Sometime on Sunday night, our phone went dead. When we discovered this on Monday morning and I eventually got hold of Telecom at work, they advised there had been a fault with a cable in our area and the men were working on it. I called them again just before leaving work - they promised it would be fixed by 7pm. The phone has only just been reconnected, at 1pm the following day. It's funny how isolated you feel without connection to the outside world! Were we missing important (or just friendly) calls? What emails were we getting? How weird not to be able to use the internet.

Now we're connected again, thank goodness. Telecom will be paying our bill this month, so I suppose that's a consolation. Their guidelines are so ridiculous: "If you have a fault with your phone, call us on this number." How can I call you when my phone is dead? "If you need a phone, contact us." How can I contact you when I don't have a phone? *shakes head in disillusion*

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Tuesday, 10 May 2005

CD Review: It's Time by Michael Buble

I had looked forward to Mr Buble's second album with much anticipation, after having enjoying his first immensely. His debut was a mix of tight swing and beautiful ballads. The second is somewhat different. While the songs have all been treated with a jazz feel, there is experimentation with lots of different styles. And while I think I will like it just as much, you just need to be in a different mood.

First I'd just like to say that it seems obvious that Michael found love between the making of his first and second albums. Apart from the sweet note to his lady on the sleeve notes, there is an undeniable sincerity throughout the album as he sings about love and devotion. How nice to know he has someone in mind while he sings those lovely lyrics.

The first song, "Feeling Good" is probably associated to most with diva Nina Simone. I think Michael does a good job. It sets an interesting tone for the album. Overall his vocals are much freer and experimental on this album. The orchestrations are, to my mind, impeccable. He has a great band.

There are some songs which I don't feel he has added much to (while being pleasant enough), as they have been done so much in the past by great artists. These are: "A Foggy Day", "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "Mack the Knife".

The songs which I enjoy the most are the sweet ballads, especially "You Don't Know Me", "Try a Little Tenderness" and "You and I". He just has such a sensitive voice, which communicates love and longing perfectly. You can tell he wrote the ballad "Home" as the words just sound as if they are poured from his heart. It may be a simple song but it communicates the sentiment well.

Track 4, "Quando, Quando, Quando" is a duet with Nelly Furtado. I was a little worried when I heared about the pairing, as I can't say I care for Ms Furtado's other music. I was, however, pleasantly surprised. Her voice, kinda soft and lazy but with points of staccato, seems to suit the rhythm and arrangement of the song. They do sound quite nice together.

"Can't Buy Me Love" is of course a cover of the Beatles original. I do like the tempo, but I think the arrangement is a bit much. Michael is drowned out at times and it loses its crispness. An interesting treatment though.

"The More I see You" starts off in grand style - this is the Michael Buble we know and love. It then strips back before building up again. Mike even has a go at scatting towards the end and is pretty good. Thumbs up.

"Save the Last Dance For Me" seems like it's trying to be the "Sway" of this album, but I'm not sure it makes the cut. I would listen to this version rather than the original, but it's not one of my favourite songs on this album.

"How Sweet It Is" is classic rock and roll (with jazz accents) and makes a nice change. A punchy arrangement with Michael's voice weaving over it like silk, getting more gritty as the song progresses. I like it.

"Song For You" takes the album in a Blues direction. Michael sings it with great passion and the muted trumpet is a treat. It will be interesting to see what else he does in this style in the future. "My Funny Valentine" was given a similar treatment on his DVD.

"Dream a Little Dream" could have fit into the "doesn't add much" category, but his whistling is so classic it deserves its own praise. Nicely done.

Overall, would I recommend buying the album? Yes. It delivers many different things, and takes you through a variety of moods. Don't go looking for a clone of the first album, but for an exploration into an evolving talent.



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Monday, 9 May 2005

Keys of the Heart

A silly little quiz. Apparently these are the keys to my heart... which are more or less accurate. The quiz asks you to consider different characteristics inherit in animal groups in different situations.


The Keys to Your Heart



You are attracted to obedience and warmth.

In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved.

You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.

Your risk of cheating is low. Even if you're tempted, you'd try hard not to do it.

You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.

In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.

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Tuesday, 3 May 2005

Holy mackerel! Fish attacks angler

Isn't that headline hilarious? Here's the article from the Herald.

BRISBANE - A Queensland fisherman suffered the ultimate revenge when a mackerel jumped into his boat and floored him -- and then got away.

In what he called a bad case of "fishy's revenge", Glen Hopper suffered bruised ribs, cuts to his face and arms and a dented ego when the 1.5m fish jumped out of the water and hit him on Sunday morning.

"It felt like I'd just run into a brick wall, because I was going 20 knots one way and it was speeding the opposite direction," the 43-year-old Sunshine Coast man said today.

"I remember it coming out the water and the next thing I knew I'm in the back of the boat winded, trying to get my breath."

Mr Hopper, who said he had set out to catch a haul of mackerel on Mooloolah River, was in his 4m tinnie when the "freakish" mishap occurred.

He said the mackerel, which he guessed weighed about 30kg, shot out of the water and into his boat, hitting him in the chin and chest.

It knocked the recreational fisher out of his seat and sent him tumbling backwards before spearing back into the water.

"I remember thinking 'What am I doing back here and how come I can't breathe?'," Mr Hopper said.

Mr Hopper, a scientist, said he had taken the day off work to recuperate from his injuries, which included grazes to his chin and arms caused by the fish's sharp fins.

He initially feared he had suffered a collapsed lung but doctors believed he was badly bruised.

A sheepish Mr Hopper said he never explained to his boss exactly why he needed the day off.

But he admitted he was something of a joke among his mates after retelling his unusual version of "the one that got away".

"It's fishy's revenge I suppose. It's been a bit of a laugh with my friends," Mr Hopper said.

"I've seen them come out of the water before but not at me."

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Imagine if he'd rung up his boss and told the truth...

"Hi. I, uh, can't come into work today. Yeah, I was... hit by a fish."

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Monday, 2 May 2005

Good on ya, Rove!

I was pleased to discover that Rove McManus scooped top honours at the Australian "Logie" TV awards. He's such a nice, funny bloke and we look forward to him entertaining us at the end of the week.

Can anyone enlighten me to as to why the awards are called "Logie"?

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