Today in History

Valentina was born.

Happy Birthday Valya!

Robots should be armless

Robots should be armless

``Phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range?''


TOP boffin Noel Sharkey has warned that giving robots guns could pose
a threat to humanity.

According to AFP, the University of Sheffield professor told
Britain's Royal United Services Institute that autonomous, gun-toting
robots developed for warfare could easily fall into the hands of
terrorists and may one day unleash a robot arms race.

Sharkey said that intelligent machines were increasingly being
deployed on battlefields around the world. The first three armed combat robots fitted with large-caliber machine guns were deployed to
Iraq last summer.

Sharkey had no problems with the status quo because a human finger
has always been required to push the button or pull the trigger.

However he said it was vital that did not change.

He is worried that one of these robots could be nicked and used by
terrorists to replace suicide bombers.

However he is also concerned that artificial intelligence could be
used to decide to terminate a human.

Sharkey said it was important to have an outright ban on autonomous weapons systems.
______________________

A review of the Sarah Conor chronicles will follow. However if they all look like Grace Park, or Number Six.

Then I would need some convincing.

Elskan would agree with me.

Welcome home, Valya

Happy Birthday Kas!

I must protest. I am a fan, of the series lost. I have been following on dvd. A big meanie and a magloi. Tells me they have seen the first 4 episodes.

Round up Mike Bastard

I saw this picture last night. It was part of a circular e-mail. Many of you may have seen it already. I have not stopped laughing since I saw it.

I watched ``Trials and Tribble-ations''

Its that time of year again. I had to fill in my student loan forms. Yesterday was Man's day in the former Soviet Union. I recieved best wishes from my friends in points East. I hope my Valya is enjoying her holiday

Stick to Sprite Elskan

My Mother had her birthday, on the 20th Feb
Today, the 21st Feb, is my brothers Birthday

Many happy returns to them both

Whose Shoes?

Are these yours shoes? They have been causing a rucus. I have Wednesday and Thursday off. Which is also my Brothers and my Mothers birthday Good luck, and a safe trip to my Valya. She is off to Prague, and then the spa towns of the Czech republic.

There will be blood

There will be blood

Upton Sinclair, was an American writer. A socalist. (Sinclair actually ends up in the TL-91 series as the first Socalist President of the USA) His novel Oil is adapted for the big screen

It has two great performnaces. The prospector,(Daniel Day Lewis) and the Preacher, (Paul Danio) The prospector adopts a son. After striking oil.

Paul Danio plays two roles. The two brothers Eli and Saul

Cirian Hinds, (HBO's Rome) turns up as Daniel Day Lewis secretary

They give the boy, H W, whiskey in his milk. This was not uncommon, in the time. In part it was a means of keeping the children quiet. Also unpasteurised milk, is dangerous.

It could be seen as King Lear, with Oil money. I found the plot a little simplistic I suspect thats Sinclairs, influence.

The strength of this film, is that is truly a window to the past. Plainviews office, is by the railway. An oil derrick, made with lumber. People to poor to grow their bread. The Sundays, were goat farmers, whoose land was too brackish to raise corn.

The violence of the past is there. There is a scene in an opidum den, and there is a murder. The murder is quickly brushed aside. The firearm, is handed back to the perpertrator. Who will pay a penance, but the law, will remain ignorant.

``Some folk just need killing, I guess''

Its one of the few accucrate depictions of a small American Church. Eli wants funds from the oil fields, to endow the small chapel he has built/

The scene was Eli sunday, casts the ghost of athritis out of his parishoner.Is has Plainview says, a ``Hell of a Godamn show'' There is very little swearing in this film.

``Hell of a God dam show''

I am spending sunday lazily. As some of you have seen I have been somewhat tired this week. I have had a good week, more or less. I saw Juno. I have written down, my thoughts about that film. I will post it.





Anway, I was looking for a way, to make the time pass at work. I have been having problems with my camera phone. When my eye was caught by the title of a book.

We have a whole series of book's at work. Which address Womens issues. From the point of view, of the Victorian Gentry. There a fascinating insight into another world. For example, my friend the Blogger Miss Misery, has a sister. Should I accompany them to the Blacksmith, or to the Horse fair. I must asked which is the older sister, as she would occupy the place of honour closest to me.

I hope my friend in Austria feels better, and kisses to my friend in Akranes

It would be juvenile to make jokes about cunning lingusts

I have a busy day at work. I must run

Valentines day 2008

Happy Valentines day

I wish you all a happy Valentines day. I'd like to thank my friend in Akranes, for the lovely cards,

As well as my Valya, Kas, and Moscow Cat, for their cards

Y'all take care :)

Roy Scheider

10 November 1932, 10 February 2008,

(Police chief Martin Brody, Dr Heywood Floyd, Captain Nathan Bridger)

Rest in peace.

Congratulations to my friend Kate, who has started to work as a Notary.
I wish her well at the ball, tonight. I hope she has a lot of fun

I recieved a parcel, from my great Valya, from St Petersberg,
Delicious choclate and a postcard, of the Aurora. The ship that bombarded, the Tsars palace and started the Revolution

I danced for joy

A very happy birthday, to one of my friends, in Akranes.

I heard he had a great time! Someone worked very hard, to make it a very special day

I saw Cloverfield, the other day. I like the film, a lot. If I write a review, I will end up spoiling a lot about the film.

This picture was inspired by the film. Its Timosha, and his mistress thwarting the evil plans of Monsters

I send hugs, and sweets to Granniog.

Goodbye Sydney ! Alias final episode

As some of you may know. This time last year I bought an exercise bike. It was part of my effort to quit smoking. I doubt there are few things more boring then exercise. So to keep my mind sane, while I exercise. I have started to watch DVD's last month, I worked through, the third season of Lost, as well as the the 5th season of Alias.

I had bought it a while back. I had never been able to find the time to watch the series. I had first become aware of the series a few  years ago. Alias was on Sky a double bill with Dark Angel. 

I didn't follow it at first. One day I taped an episode. ``The Box'' which featured Quentin T as a guest star. From then on I was hooked.


Goodbye Sydney

( In the background there you can see Bradley Cooper) 

Jennifer Garner is beautiful. Oh and she is from West Virginia- This is referenced in her character's code name Mountaineer
I am in Love with Sydney. She is so smart. I wish I could speak languages like her. 

``Little Ears'' was the nickname, Regina gave to Jennifer Garner.  Regina `` allowed '' me to watch Alias, as the lead character is half Russian. Sydney's mother was a KGB agent.

The story begins, with Sydney working for SD6. She is working for she believes is an off the books, branch of the CIA. However its not. SD6, is a rogue organization. These things actually happened in the Cold war.

Sydney also wanted to be a teacher. This reflects the shows origins. It was envisioned by the creator of Felicity- JJ Abrams  ( Now know for so much more) as the summer Felicity, works as a spy.

 I guess its a reaction to Buffy. Sydney spent her early days dodging bullets, and writing papers. (She was a graduate student )

As a piece of history. I began to write an essay on gender roles in Alias, sometime in 2006. I lost interest. I picked up here again

Who's your Daddy! Sydney?''

An exploration of the theme of Patrimony in the TV series of Alias.

It is said that the basis of all literature. Is the relationship between the central character and their father. The TV series Alias. The story of a female spy, and her struggles to do her job, study and have a life.

The title of the TV show reflects this the title of the show Alias, means another name. Other then name we are given by our family. Normally our Father's name in Western culture.

Our Heroines name is even ambiguous. Sydney is normally considered a male name.  Sydney  believes her mother is dead- She is her father's ``son'' Like the children of the Sabine women- She cannot speak her mothers name

After Sydney's disappearance. In series 2, and her recovery in series 3. There have been some changes in the background. Marshal is married, and his wife is expecting a son. Sydney's ex SD6 partner Dixon is now head of Sydney group at the CIA. He has taken leadership of ``the family.'' He is the only member of the

Its also interesting to note that Dixon is a widow. Again a father, robbed of his wife.

In a related vein. In one episode, Dixon contemplates suicide, After the death of his wife. What changes his mind is hearing the voice of a child crying, which reminds him of his children. Of his duty.

We see the ideal of fatherhood, its redemptive qualities  as a theme throughout the series.

To take a few examples from a current episode.

Sydney's father invites her out to a meal, at the end of the episode.

Note the role of the father, the male as the provider. The one who brings home the bacon. Contrast this with Sloane's attempt to have a date with the CIA doctor. To provide her with`` food.'' This fails.

 Sloane makes a comment on Sydney's parentage 

Sydney and Vaughn's wife, change their hair on a mission. Sydney's is cut in shorter bob. Short hair= respectable, but Lauren has her hair coloured. Note scarlet- A scarlet woman  They both change

Marshal as a new Father, proudly displays his sons picture.
Marshal makes reference to Marshal and his son working together. Father being followed by son into the trade. A lot of surnames come from this. Tailor, smith etc.

Lauren innates sex, with Sark after their mission. To implant a virus. Sark flirting with Lauren refers to her as a dominatrix. Lauren takes the masculine role during sex, rather the female passive one.

Jack is engaged in a search for truth in the episode.  Compare this with the women, who are engaged in deception.

Is it significant that Lauren says she's going to DC, whilst sneaking off to do the covenants work. DC The US Capital. The Home, the heart of the USA.

We see Sydney challenge Lauren, on her accusations of philandering with her Husband. Syndey rebuts her. Now this is not really strictly necessary. If Sydney hasn't been sleeping with Vaugh, and she hasn't. There is no need to respond to Lauren. So why does she? Is it to protect her reputation?

Vaughn fathers watch. Vaughn is missing a father. He father was killed by Irina. Vaughn Sydney knows the story. Sydney is the keeper of Vaughan's family memory. This is normally the mothers role.

Vaughn comment that he  is getting old, time to start a family? Why has Lauren not provided him with an heir?

But all good things, must come to an end. Sydney the pretty girl, who used to warm my Monday nights. I used to watch the show, with hot soup. It was shown very late here. I never met anyone else in the UK, who watched the show. I don't care. Its nice to have something that is  just yours sometimes. Sometimes it is good to have your secrets. 

No matter how terrible the Monday. Sydney brightened the Tuesday. 

Thank you, for saving me