Clancy Tucker's Blog, page 257

3 June 2015 - ANIMATED GIF

ANIMATED GIFG'day folks,From time to time I have used many animated gifs on my posts. You can see one above. I love them. So, what are they?
An animated GIF is an image encoded in graphics interchange format (GIF),which contains a number of images or frames in a single file and is described by its own graphic control extension. The frames are presented in a specific order in order to convey animation. An animated GIF can loop endlessly or stop after a few sequences.
The GIF design allows users to define new blocks. In the 1990s, Netscape designed the Netscape Application Block, which indicates that the file is an animation and not a static image. This was first supported in Netscape 2.0 and spread to other browsers. It is still in wide use today. Mm ... A bit technical for me. Anyway, here are some examples. Enjoy ...























































Clancy's comment: Now you know why I use them. They add life to a blog. Brilliant, eh?


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2 June 2015 - WELCOME TO AFRICA

WELCOME TO AFRICA
G'day folks,
Welcome to one of the most popular subjects on this blog - Africa.


























Clancy's comment: Amazing continent and amazing pictures by brilliant photographers.


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Think about this!

1 June 2015 - MORE WISDOM

MORE WISDOM
G'day folks,
Yep, it's that time again. Cruise through this post and see what tickles your fancy.



































































Clancy's comment: Well? Anything tickle your fancy?


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31 May 2015 - GREAT EINSTEIN QUOTES

GREAT EINSTEIN QUOTES
G'day folks,
We have all heard of Albert Einstein, but have you read many of his quotes? Look no further ... Courtesy of Spirit Science and Metaphysics



1. “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.”

2. “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.”

3. “I, at any rate, am convinced that He (God) does not throw dice.”

4. “The important thing is not to stop questioning; curiosity has its own reason for existing.”

5. “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”

6. “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”

7. “Falling in love is not at all the most stupid thing that people do— but gravitation cannot be held responsible for it.”

8. “The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science.”

9. “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

10. “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value”

  11. “The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.” 
12. “The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.”

13. “Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.”

14. “Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.”

15. “Nature shows us only the tail of the lion. But I do not doubt that the lion belongs to it even though he cannot at once reveal himself because of his enormous size.”

16. “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

17. “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

18. “My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.”

19. “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”

20. “I never think of the future. It comes soon enough.”

21. “Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics, I can assure you that mine are all greater” 
22. “In order to form an immaculate member of a flock of sheep one must, above all, be a sheep.”

23. “The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible.”



24. “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”

25. “Truth is what stands the test of experience.”

26. “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”

27. “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

28. “Human knowledge and skills alone cannot lead humanity to a happy and dignified life. Humanity has every reason to place the proclaimers of high moral standards and values above the discoverers of objective truth.”

29. “Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.”

30. “Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down by the mind before you reach eighteen.”


Clancy's comment: Mm ... Not just a scientist, eh?
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30 May 2015 - 'THE MIGHTY QUEENSLAND BLUE' - Gunnedah Hero

THE MIGHTY QUEENSLAND BLUE- Gunnedah Hero - G'day folks,
Welcome to the fourth and final bush poem that is included in my award-winning novel, Gunnedah Hero'. This poem tells the tale of one of Australia's toughest dogs - the Queensland Heeler. There are blue ones and red ones, but both are amazing with cattle. They are brilliant work dogs. I've had several of them, and their ability and loyalty is incredible. In the poem below, you will read two names: Banjo and The Bulletin. Banjo was a nickname for one of Australia's finest poets and authors - Andrew Barton Paterson. Want to know how he got the nickname Banjo? Well, you will find out by reading Gunnedah Hero ... Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. 
The Bulletin was  a major Australian newspaper last century, edited by another great poet, activist  and writer, J F Archibald. This newspaper was known as 'The Bush Bible', and it travelled far and wide. Why, because many articles were poems and short stories written by shearers, farmers and ordinary working-class people. The newspaper contained a mass of information and entertainment, hence each edition was passed on 'down the track' from one itinerant worker to another.








THE MIGHTY QUEENSLAND BLUE


I’ve been a drover for a bit; I’m known quite far and wide,
seen lots of steers, some sheep and dogs; I take ‘em in me stride.
But all them days have finished now; they’re surely done and past,
hot years of sun and endless miles and days that never last.
Now I’m glancing back in time ‘cause I have lots of time to look,
at all the years spent drovin’; and so many years it took.
Indeed I’ve seen some funny things but also seen some sad,
met heaps of cheery shearin’ coves, and very few were bad.


Old memories come a floodin’ back as I sit here alone,
I’ve never found meself a wife, but who am I to moan?
This life has bin so good to me, by God I’ve seen so much,
the droughts, and floods and fires were the saddest, roughest touch.
Me favourite was the cattle – as they offered such a dare,
the sheep were fine yet lazy but they never quite compare.
Musterin’ the bush steers was a job that I adored,
but movin’ sheep was boring and was something I abhorred.


A million yarns and tales to tell, a mind that’s fadin’ fast,
my fondest memories are the ones that always seem to last.
They were the ones of cattle dogs – I surely had a few,
some were kelpies, some were blues, and some were mongrels, too.
Of course, I had me favourites - as we drovers always do,
the best of all was mean and thick – a clever Queensland Blue.
I got him as a lively pup from near the ‘Murray Down’,
a top dog, yes indeed he was, he never made me frown.


Straight away I called him ‘Biff’ because he loved a brawl
and even as a fluffy pup he took on one and all.
Right from the very start I knew I had a special mate,
that pup and me we got on fine, but other dogs he’d hate.
Already I’d had two dogs but my Biff took up the lead,
me collie and me kelpie had no choice left but to heed.
Lookin’ back it was a laugh to see that young dog fight,
to take on bigger, tougher dogs was really his delight.


 There was a time I do recall somewhere near Dandaloo,
when a smart young cove, a shearer, who also had a blue
bet me all his shearin’ pay his dog could outdo mine.
I pondered it, I looked at Biff, he winked and barked, ‘It’s fine!’
So after shearin’ time that day we found an empty pen,
and stood against a wiry fence with all the other men
and when the Ringer counted three I unleashed my top blue,
and quickly those two met as one, boy oh boy, they flew.


The whole damn crew sat starin’ as the dust rose in the air,
 both our dogs were snarling, they were such an angry pair.
By God they took it serious, it was indeed a fight,
the winner he would stand alone, the loser would take flight.
Some shearers wagered money and yet some were not so keen,
as both them angry heelers set to fight a duel so mean.
I backed me dog with all I had which ‘twas a decent sum,
I knew me Biff could beat his dog and leave the shearer glum.


 The other dog was bigger but not quite as smart as mine,
my Biff he gave a whoppin’ bite that made the canine whine.
Then in he went straight for the throat; it was an awful scene,
the big blue dog, he took a dive; no longer was he mean.
His owner looked quite horrified; his dog was dead indeed,
as sadly in the dust he kneeled while Biff paid him no heed.
That shearer bloke from Dandaloo had learned a lesson too,
like others did that awesome day when Biff beat his big blue.


The crowd thought my dog was real mean; so angry and so tough,
but then they saw a side of Biff that surely wasn’t gruff.
There was a kindly part of him that was as soft as snow,
a touch of friendly kindness that touched that crew, ya know.
That shearer sadly sat alone a-thinkin’ of his plight,
when Biff got up and strolled to him later on that night.
Me dog just sat beside him and he gave a mournful glance,
then raised a paw and rested it upon the shearer’s pants.


The whole damn crew stopped chattin’ and just stared at him in awe,
wonderin’ if he was the dog – the one that day they saw.
A dog that fought a battle against a bigger, meaner foe,
and sure enough he was the same, as Biff expressed his woe.
The shearer sadly looked my way then back at Biff, me blue,
he offered him the strangest look then gave a pat or two.
Everybody was amazed, ‘cause it was the oddest day,
but geez, I’d seen it all before; his softer side I’d say.


 I’d many dogs before this one, but none had been so true
as Biff that tough old heeler; the almighty Queensland Blue.
We worked together as a team, ten years of joyful bliss,
but now he is the only one I really, dearly miss.
By God, he had a gentle heart, a spirit soft but tough,
so many times he rescued me when things got really rough.
One day he saved me from a snake; so close was I to strife,
this was the last I saw of him; the day he lost his life.


Then some months later came a note; it was from far outback,
was such a movin’ letter from a shearer down the track.
His words were quite prophetic and they surely made me grin,
thinking of the very day when my blue had a win.
‘Twas from the very shearer who had lost his dog that day,
a man who I could not forget; we all recall that fray,
and in his note he offered praise so seldom shearers do,
in bold black print he called old Biff: ‘The Mighty Queensland Blue’


And pinned onto his letter was an extra printed page,
a story of a long gone fight which surely bore some age.
‘Twas written by our Banjo and was writ’ with wondrous style,
a page from out ‘The Bulletin’ had come a lengthy mile.
I sat and read his every word; a wondrous job he’d done,
he’d penned a whole damn story ‘bout the day old Biff had won.
And little did I know our Banjo sat and watched that day,
when my Biff flogged the bigger blue; it was a sight, I say.







Clancy's comment: There ya go. Enjoy it? Great imagination , eh? Now, you might like to click on 'Gunnedah Hero Reviews' above and see what folks think about this novel. You might also like to head to my book shop to the top right of this page and buy a paperback or e-Book. When you do, you will see where these poems fit into the story. As the little cutie says above, 'Don't be shy'. Oh, if you do buy a paperback version, I will be more than happy to write some charming message inside it. 
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Another great Aussie dog

29 May 2015 - TIMELESS TRUTHS

TIMELESS TRUTHS
G'day folks,
Time for some great comments that could be close to the truth.

In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame,  two is a law firm and three or more is a government. 
John Adams
 
If you don't read  the newspaper you are  uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are  misinformed.  
Mark Twain
 
I  contend that for  a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying  to lift himself up by the  handle. 
Winston Churchill
 
A government which  robs  Peter to pay Paul can always  depend on the support of  Paul.
George Bernard Shaw
 
Foreign aid might  be defined as a  transfer of money from poor people in rich countries to rich  people in poor countries.
Douglas Casey,  Classmate of Bill Clinton at Georgetown  University
 
Giving  money and  power to  government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage  boys.
P.J. O'Rourke,  Civil Libertarian
 
Government is the  great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody  else.
Frederic Bastiat,  French economist(1801-1850)
 
I  don't make jokes. I just watch the  government and report the  facts. 
Will  Rogers
 
In general, the art of government  consists of taking as much money as  possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.  
Voltaire   (1764)
 
Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you!
Pericles (430  B.C.)
 
No man's life,   liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in  session.
Mark Twain   (1866)
 
Talk is cheap...except when government does  it.
Anonymous
 
The government is like a  baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other.
Ronald  Reagan
 
The  only  difference  between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the  taxidermist leaves  the  skin.
Mark Twain
 
What this country needs are more unemployed  politicians.
Edward Langley,  Artist (1928-1995)
 
A  government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you  have.  
Thomas Jefferson
 
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.
Aesop
If you think  health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's  free!
P.J.  O'Rourke



Clancy's comment: Mm ... Any thoughts?

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28 May 2015 - PERFECT TIMING

PERFECT TIMING
G'day folks,
Check out these classic shots taken by keen photographers. As I've said before, timing is essential.










































































Clancy's comment: Yep, just like life. It's all about timing.


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27 May 2015 - DELICATE LEAF CUTTINGS

DELICATE LEAF CUTTINGS
G'day folks,
Welcome to some great artwork. Omid Asadi currently lives in Manchester, United Kingdom. He created this work with carving and cutting techniques on actual fallen leaves using a craft knife and a needle. Omid always try to create pieces with a message, not just beautiful art. Some of these messages or ideas come from his world view, poems, stories, global problems and philosophy. He is also inspired by other artists’ and designers’ works. Omid uses a craft knife or scalpel and needle. It is not like a paper cutting because each part needs a certain pressure to cut. If he makes a mistake, he destroys maybe hundreds of hours of work.




























Clancy's comment  Wow. Amazing work, eh?
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26 May 2015 - WISE ADVICE

WISE ADVICE
G'day folks,
Time to present some more wise comments. These are forever popular with those who follow this blog. Spread the word, but don't take yourself too seriously. Here goes ...




















































Clancy's comment: Well, there ya go, folks. You've had your inspiring thoughts for the day. Now, get out and put them into action.


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25 May 2015 - LEO TOLSTOY

LEO TOLSTOY
G'day folks,
Welcome to some background on a very famous writer; known for writing some tomes.

“The hero of my tale, whom I love with all the power of my soul, whom I have tried to portray in all his beauty, who has been, is, and will be beautiful, is Truth.”

– Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy was one of the world’s pre-eminent writers becoming famous through his epic novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina.

Towards the end of his life, Leo Tolstoy became increasingly interested in a version of pacifist Christianity with support for a strand of anarchist Communism. His exposition of pacifism and non-violence had a profound influence on others – most notably Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

 Born in 1828, Leo Tolstoy came from an aristocratic Russian family with links to some of the most powerful Russian families. He was the fourth cousin of Alexander Pushkin.



In his early life, he struggled with his studies and drifted through life ending up with large gambling debts. Fed up with his aimless meaningless life he volunteered to serve in the Russian army but his experiences as a soldier led him to become a pacifist in later life. He wrote his battlefield observations in Sevastopol Sketches and this raised his profile as a leading Russian writer, gaining the attention even of the current Tsar. Later looking back on these years (in his Confessions 1882), he bitterly regretted his misspent years

“I cannot recall those years without horror, loathing, and heart-rending pain. I killed people in war, challenged men to duels with the purpose of killing them, and lost at cards; I squandered the fruits of the peasants’ toil and then had them executed; I was a fornicator and a cheat. Lying, stealing, promiscuity of every kind, drunkenness, violence, murder — there was not a crime I did not commit… Thus I lived for ten years. ”

– Leo Tolstoy

Tolstoy had a deep interest in seeking a greater understanding and justification of life. He travelled widely through Europe but became increasingly disenchanted with the materialism of the European Bourgeoisie. He could be argumentative with those he disagreed with such as Turgenev (widely considered the greatest Russian writer of his generation). He also developed an increasing sympathy with peasants, the poor, and those downtrodden from society. He went out of his way to help and serve them.

 In 1862 he married Sofia Andreyevna Behrs, 16 years his younger. This marriage provided a degree of stability out of which Tolstoy wrote his great epics War and Peace and the novel Anna Karenina.

War and Peace is breathtaking in its scope, realism and sense of history. Some characters were real historical people, others were invented. It tells a narrative of the Napoleonic wars against the backdrop of two families. Tolstoy never saw it as a novel but an epic. It suggest the necessity of making the best of life, whatever your situation.

“Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly. It is the one thing we are interested in here.”

– Leo Tolstoy from War and Peace



After writing War and Peace and Anna Karenina, Tolstoy underwent a change of religious and philosophical attitude. Influenced by Buddhism and Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount he developed a pacifist / anarchist philosophy; he became supportive of civil disobedience to improve the welfare of the oppressed. He noted his attitudes in ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is within you’ and ‘Confessions’.

“The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity by contributing to the establishment of the kingdom of God, which can only be done by the recognition and profession of the truth by every man.”

Leo Tolstoy from: The Kingdom of Heaven is within You

His philosophy began to attract disciples and idealistic Tolstoy communes. He became ex-communicated from the Orthodox church but his legacy as a writer and unique thinker were enhanced throughout the world. He gained a status as being the world’s leading writer.

In the evening of his life he developed a close relationship with a young Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi was very impressed with Tolstoy’s belief in non-violent resistance, vegetarianism and brand of ‘anarchist Christianity’.



Clancy's comment: Go, Leo! Another deep thinker.
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