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Digital cameras give us another way of enjoying art
"Everyone does it. Even I do it, and in theory I disapprove of anything that gets in the way of a pure contemplative experience of art. When I see other people doing it and I'm not, it makes me angry and contemptuous - can't they just look? But every so often I too reach for my digital camera or, if I haven't got it, my phone's built-in camera, and photograph or even film a work of art."

There are many mysteries in Wrest Park -" not least what precisely went on in the bedrooms concealed in the dome of the Georgian garden pavilion, a miniature party house with secret staircases hidden in the panelling - but the one that baffles the gardener is how such a spectacular place became almost forgotten."

MoreCowbell.dj is "a little Flash app that takes in any MP3, analyses it, and adds rhythmic cowbell and Christopher Walken samples, thus vastly improving it."


"It's not that they're not compelling, but sometimes those 'must read' books remain unread. There, I've said it.
This is a risky admission for someone in my line of work to make. But I have this as an excuse: I have to read a hell of a lot. And I also like reading a hell of a lot. But there are only so many hours in the day. Other writers and critics understand this."


What's in a Hot Beef Sundae? Apparently "Golden mashed potatoes covered with a generous portion of our roasted and seasoned-to-perfection top round beef. Then aged cheddar cheese, more golden mashed potatoes smothered with our special beef gravy, more aged cheddar cheese, a slice of buttered toast, and a cherry tomato on top."

McCain/ Obama Wordles Someone took "McCain's acceptance speech from last night's Republican convention and compared it to Barack Obama's acceptance speech from the Democratic convention and made wordles of each. John McCain's wordle is on top, Barack Obama's is on bottom."