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Weekly challenge: Week 21 - Rank stuff
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Post by
gamerunknown
This week's (late) challenge is to find and review a local museum. I already know which one I have in mind. If you don't have a local museum, a local arts and crafts store will do. If you don't have one of those, ouch. Review the website of a museum, perhaps?
Edit: Oh, one hundred words ought to be fine.
Post by
gamerunknown
Well, embarked on the journey to
Stockwood Discovery Centre
around mid-day. A lady I volunteer with warned me that it was an hour long walk (takes about five minutes by car from city centre) so I left with two and a half hours to go. First thing to note is that it was bitterly cold. I've not yet had to bust out the pyjama bottoms under my regular jeans trick (always associated long underwear with incontinence and incest for some reason), but I may have to soon. That said, I'm sure OZ would have seen it as a great day for a barefooted amble. It was lightly drizzling and from the bridge by the train station, I noticed the fog blanketing the distant houses. Further on in the journey I noted that despite the aeroplanes from Luton airport sounding thunderously close, they weren't visible either. On the way there I
did
notice a chap with a scarf and beanie hat on with his shirt sleeves rolled up. Seemed rather counter productive to me.
The road to the museum was quite untroubling. I merely retraced the steps which my mother used to drop my items and myself off countless times, except via pavement. Overtook two old black men, one of whom was dressed rather sharply. Think they were kvetching about the young. Passed by a pub which was well patroned considering the time of day, it seemed to have labourers passionately discussing something in there. Wondered if it were the police commissioner elections, then realised that it'd more likely be the nefarious immigrants (Luton is the birthplace of the EDL, after all). Well, there was one ambiguous element in getting to Stockwood: there's an intersection right outside the premises. I started to cross when the cars in front of me had a red light, quite forgetting that cars also turn into lanes.
The grounds themselves are rather pleasant, despite the lack of a pedestrian footpath to the museum. They encompass a golf course, two rugby pitches and a horse riding centre. The riding centre provides a patrician feel in sharp contrast to the rest of Luton, especially the large manufactures near highways such as Vauxhall or the Evening Standard. I'd wager they derived from landed roots rather than parvenus. There were a few cars present and a man on a bike with his dog, but I was the only visitor arriving to the centre at that time.
I entered, in isolation. There were three staff on the front desk and they all appeared quite animated - I noticed one was on the work phone. They didn't acknowledge me to any noticeable degree, which I preferred (free entry). Pressed on through to the "museum" section, which I suppose is the point. The floors are cobbled, which I thought a nice touch. There was a 60" or so TV with the program "Full Gallop" playing. The presenter used the word "nincompoop", which I found amusing. The bulk of the museum was dedicated to transport: mostly carriages, a few old cars and bikes. There were trinkets from past eras and information on placards here and there. Apparently Stockwood Discovery is a "sustainable building" and they included two cited definitions for sustainable design. That's a relief, I suppose. There were a few elephants (I think designed by children) that looked rather fetching and an interesting array of photographs from various phases of Luton and Bedfordshire's history, including one prominently featuring Churchill.
One of the exhibits that caught my eye was a carnival caravan called a "vardo" (according to the placard), which is a term derived fro Persian. Travelling food salesmen would purchase a vardo as an ostentatious display of wealth. Reminded me of Uldum. When I went with my brother and sister their favourite attractions were seats which simulated riding in each of the carriages I think. There was also an interactive display where one could test the responsiveness of various types of hand brakes. One aspect I didn't like particularly is that they stacked carriages in shelves on top of each other. While I know, logically, they're no more likely to fall over than a building is to tumble on top of me, something just seems precarious about it.
One of the displays was dedicated to a "Mr. Mossman", a deliveryman for a butcher, who used a carriage to deliver his goods. He personally collected quite a few of the carriages himself and a picture showed him with the Queen. His carriages were featured in a Bond film (forget which now), Ben Hur and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
In order to correct a false sense of nostalgia (always useful to guard against that), I reminded myself that conditions of living were much tougher back then and the comforts I take for granted would not have existed for anyone back then, let alone someone of my class. There was a little statistic that was illustrative of this point: in 1930 there were over one hundred thousand people living in Luton and only 170 hospital beds.
Someone approached the building (I actually wondered if it'd be closed given the paucity of visitors), so I figured I'd better move on. In the centre is a little display of agricultural implements, with a Grecian head, a hoe, a trowel and whatnot in sunken recesses of a wooden facade. It fits quite well. To reach the next part of the centre one has to pass besides the café, which comes highly recommended. My student loan hasn't arrived yet, so I didn't partake.I've managed to find a dinner which takes minutes to make and comes to under £2: baked beans (50p), bread (less than 10p a slice), vegetarian hot dogs*2 (30p) and 125g of coleslaw (12.5p). I also buy 17p 2L bottles of water and fruit (which is by far the most expensive element of my daily food intake). Porridge oats for breakfast. Biscuits to give to homeless people (keep them in a food bag in a plastic container).
Anyway, rambling. Past the café is a playground, quite abandoned. Fairly steep artificial hill with a slide on it that I find difficult to clamber up (not that I did this time), not sure how children do it. To the right of the playground is a tropical greenhouse, hive and bee information area, which I avoided. Passing through the playground is a medicinal garden, vaguely "woo"ish information given, though arranged in quite a lovesome way. No marijuana plants, though there were exercise stations including a situp bar. Quite enlightened of them to think of health as unitary.
Noticed a worker in a perfectly clear warehouse, or a greenhouse used for storage to the left of me. Made me realise how much labour is reified in something I considered quite simple. Rather touching. One of the gardens was tended to by local schoolchildren and contained rare breeds on loan from specialist gardens, including "Bull's blood beetroot", "Painted Lady runner bean" and "British Queen potato". I was impressed by their conservation. Nothing sprouting at the moment though. Further on was a compost in the shape of a caterpillar, before a square with a small, stagnant fountain. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was intruding, so I skipped exploring further (I remember a miniature maze of some sort further along, as well as a chicken coop and rabbit hatch).
There's a marked difference between the place in summer, with the icecream van and boisterous children about and on a cold school day. It would have been rather more difficult to write with that many observers around though.
As I walked back to the exit I noticed that the café had drawn attention after all, with a couple sitting for late lunch there and a family passing through it to the toilet. Felt rather awkward walking out without buying anything - exiting through the gift store is now ubiquitous. Not exactly onerous considering the lack of an entry fee. Some customers appeared and diffused the tension by purchasing something. I totally understand their rather short opening hours considering the variation in visitors. I'd definitely return to buy seeds or jam if I end up actually getting my student loan.
As I walked out, there were more people present. Joggers parted through the fog, discussing the relative strengths of their students. I remembered to check both sides of the intersection this time, despite being distracted by a truck emblazoned with Freddy Krueger. As I turned to make sure the car to my right was stopped, the driver stalled. Guess I just have one of those faces.
On the way back, I pondered the homogeneity of builders (very few women or ethnic minorities) and the social obligation to do work no-one particularly strives to do. I then passed an old woman who seemed quite jittery, which made me feel guilty. Finally, just before getting back to town in time for a lecture, I noticed that right next to the Vauxhall factory is the soup kitchen the charity I volunteer at is linked to, which almost explained why there was a guy sitting in the alleyway next to it on the way there (he was joined by another man and two women on the return journey).
Think I exceeded 100 words, haha.
Post by
gamerunknown
Fairly simple one this week. Draw or paint something, then scan it in (or take a pic if you don't have a scanner). I plan on going home and working on it with my siblings.
Edit: I went home, thinking I'd draw a squirrel and my little sister actually had a picture of a squirrel in one of those outline books, so she copied that onto a new piece of paper. Then she asked me to draw something and I drew a very silly looking horse and an hourglass with sand flowing out of it. She couldn't tell what it was... Turns out the PC I got for the family a few months ago is already borked, so I couldn't scan a pic and I didn't have enough time to try and connect the camera up.
So you'll have to take my word for it :p
Post by
322702
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
OverZealous
First thing to note is that it was bitterly cold. I've not yet had to bust out the pyjama bottoms under my regular jeans trick (always associated long underwear with incontinence and incest for some reason), but I may have to soon. that said, I'm sure OZ would have seen it as a great day for a barefooted amble .
I've missed this thread, and I totally missed this comment as well. Pure gold
^^
Best I could manage
Post by
134377
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
gamerunknown
Nice one OZ!
I can't paint or draw either, but I gave it a shot :p
Maybe next week I'll consider something musical?
Post by
Ksero
About 15 hours into
THIS
, not done yet though. any suggestions for the blank part? And I would definitely participate if you made next weeks challenge musical.
Post by
gamerunknown
Dangit, I forgot what I had in mind for music.
How about: create something vaguely musical (totally original) and upload it to youtube or soundcloud.
I recently sent a few lines of verse to an artist friend of mine and he said he'd create a score for it, so maybe he could record it too. Will check back with him.
Post by
HiVolt
Here are a few works by a good friend of mine, as I have no ambition whatsoever to record my music:
Orange Skies
Staring Out Onto a Field
Blue Lights
Daisy
I Remember Summer
Also, here's an animation done by another good friend of mine, that the aforementioned friend made the music for:
The Pattern of Life
And here's a local band in which a couple of my friends play:
Red House
And one of another local band, in which all of the members are my friends:
Un-Named(Original) and Crossroads(Cover)
In case you're wondering, the bassist and drummer from the first band are the same as the second band. I'd upload more, but this is already over a half an hour's worth of listening.
Post by
Ksero
Wait Until Midnight
(If you would pick one of the two make it this one)
Chocolate Horizon
There is more on my newgrounds channel although I have posted the best of it here.
I think I'll compose something this week for this thread.
Post by
Dragalthor
Ok so it's not totally original I'm afraid but here's a video of me and a few friends etc.
trying to look like a professional band
. I am the tall tuba player (pre beard days) nearest the camera, just behind the nearest side drummer to camera as we march on.
Post by
gamerunknown
Sweet Ksero, just noticed the pic (is it based on South African art?) and thanks for the music chums, will definitely check it out.
Did you fill in the part? I'd say either mirror what's on the left hand side or perhaps something rectangular/green. I like green and purple. Not sure if it'd fit with the colour scheme though :p.
Post by
Ksero
It wasn't actually based on anything lol, I had my box of colored pencils out and was listening to dubstep, that was the result (but I see where you would get that idea from). Thanks for the suggestion, i have an Idea for the blank part now, ill post it here when I'm done.
Post by
134377
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
gamerunknown
Awesome, giving them a listen now pikeyboy! Mind if I share on facebook if I like the songs? My dad loves traditional Irish music.
Post by
gamerunknown
Week 6: Learn 10 words in an endangered language. Post 'em here (in phonetic form, possibly) and their meaning. Try and look back over them every now and then just in case you bump into a native speaker while exploring Australian outback or Bornean forest.
Edit: see
here
.
Post by
134377
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
gamerunknown
Earth – wes
Sand – kyepeaks
Sea – c̷ams
Stone - kyesaw
Rainbow – akyepena
Thunder – aryor
Fog – axyer
Ice – yeterya
Dog - kyoro
Parrot - parpar
Stolen from
here
.
I took a look at each word once and the next day only remembered parrot (parrot wasn't even on my list, but I replaced star with parrot since it's easier to remember) and sand. Earth and sea should have been easy! I'll write them down in the little notebook I keep with me and check them every now and then.
Post by
gamerunknown
Week 7: bake something for your neighbours.
Ok, I tried at this one. I really did. I've had it in mind since I started the thread, but have put it off for two very bad reasons. Firstly, I suck at cooking. Secondly (and more importantly), I hate socialising with people. I hate bumping into my flatmates and I hate speaking to people I don't know. However, it is, after all, a "challenge". Besides, last week of term - baking stuff for neighbours, with the aid of my family (my 12 year old sister is a better cook than I am... my 5 year old sister is too, in fact) I get on with isn't really difficult.
So, bought most of the ingredients for chocolate cookies: totally forgot to buy a scale and a mixing spoon. Used a metal spoon to mix cookie batter and judged the measurements by eye. Also, I used a cupcake tray rather than an actual baking tray. The first batch I made had far too little chocolate in them, so rectified that in my second batch (also added Twix and Oreos, wanted to be experimental). First batch also tasted rather plain, figured I put in too much baking powder and too little sugar. Added more sugar, too. First batch were also slightly burnt, so left the second batch in for a shorter period. Tried to take out the second batch two minutes earlier, but they were too gooey. Left them in for another five minutes. Still gooey. Left them in for yet another five minutes. Still gooey. I couldn't win.
Eventually I decided I couldn't foist either batch on my neighbours and left them for my flatmates. Mea culpa. I really did try.
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