Dark side of the blog

Obviously I am a novice at this blogging world but plagiarism of one blog to another seems creepy and insidious. I found out about this issue reading Blast Radius (from Aussie Blogs). One American woman seems to have been targeted twice. I think I should stick to publishing bad photos and inconsequential mutterings to avoid these weirdos. What do they think it will do for them? Do people use their blogs as some kind of life/career enhancement tool?

What's in my info file?

It might be revealing to review what's in my misc info file on this laptop. I thought that Explorer would have some option for listing the files as text but it seems not, so first you must set up a context menu item using a .bat file as per this helpful page.

So the list, with explanations:

jewellery: someone who shall remain nameless owed me a birthday present from last October so I was collecting pictures of the styles I like. We bought a piece in the Perigord (pic later).

A Guide to Wearing a Saree: I think I collected this because I was reminded that my mother and grandmother have some spectacular silk saris, never made up, from my grandfather's business trips to Kerala state in India. In Bhutan I bought a traditional woman's outfit which is slightly easier to put on

Entertaining At Home: self-improvement 1950's-style

Growing Figs: We acquired a fruiting fig which had self-planted under my PIL's wahing line in Canberra. We moved it to Sydney in a big pot where it tried to fruit for two years. Having not seen it for a year I don't know its current state.

How to inspect a property: I still want to "own" my own home

Move Checklist and Calender: We moved from Sydney to France in 2003. Luckily we didn't take much because we have to pack again to come home in three months. We have acquired sme fairly big items, including bikes, electrical goods

Worm_farm.pdf: I had a worm farm in two polystyrene boxes to eat my compost items. It wasn't ideal as the walls were too high. The cockroaches and slugs loved it.

BackpackGearTest, Bushwalking food, dehydrated curry, QldWalks, Kiandra to Kozi walking in Dec: various items regarding aspects of bushwalking

david: stuff about an old boyfriend

mexican train: rules for a domino game introduced to us recently but with a rather confusing rule sheet

Australian camera shops online: I was contemplating a film SLR but next time I buy it will probably be digital. Our little digital compact has taken over from my film compact almost completely.

2004NSWSquashCalender: not sure why I kept this except it took a while to download

plant_stand199905_81.pdf: I was contemplating some carpentry to make this but haven't got around to it.

corsica: information on where to visit on Corsica

quotes.txt: For example
People who are only good with hammers see everything as a nail.
-Abraham Maslow, Psychologist

vi commands.txt: from when I was computing on Unix

If you don't have cable and your library card has expired

I've been blog rolled! If you don't have cable and your library card has expired Not sure why.

I also noticed that there isn't much gleaning going on here. It's mainly a travelogue but I'm definitely not feeling too intellectual at the moment. We also seem to be remote from discussions of current events. Watching CNN doesn't seem to stimulate debate. I'm escaping into the Olympics for the time being. Still, I am keeping an eye on whether we'll have to vote in the Australian Federal election before we come home. It seems Howard has shied away from this test now that Latham is stronger (but only politically because he just went into hospital). The prediction is now October before the US election.

Lists

Lists seem to abound in weblog circles, including this free association game

1. Server:: computer
   
2. Charlotte:: dessert
   
3. Jackson:: Michael
   
4. Resentment:: housework
   
5. Controlling:: freak
   
6. Intense:: blue
   
7. November:: home
   
8. Donkey:: ass
   
9. Weave:: web
   
10. Satisfies:: food
    

Beetle

A prickly looking customer we met on a walk through woods. We were across the Dordogne River from Chateau Beynac looking for a cache.

Castlenaud

The very popular Castlenaud: a restored Dordogne Chateau containing the Museum of War of the Middle Ages, hence the reconstructed war machine sticking up over the ramparts on the left of picture.

Canoeing the Ardeche with the crowds

Dolmen

Two more dolmen near Limogne-en-Quercy

French prehistory

Here is a large dolmen near Limogne-en-Quercy south of the Lot River, which runs roughly parallel to the Dordogne. This is one of three we visited near the town.

August summer holiday

We have just returned from two weeks exploring more of France. We opted to drive a short distance rather than fly anywhere or attempt anything further afield with Pat's two weeks off work. This time we went north via Barcelonette through the Southern Alps then across through the Rhone valley to the Massif Central and beyond to the Perigord and the Dordogne Valley.

Here is a typical Dordogne valley scene with farms and chateau in the distance.
We camped which was exciting with the number of thunderstorms that kept appearing. Luckily they cooled things down to below 30 degrees. Camping freed our money for good eating. The Perigord is renown for good hearty food including foie gras and the rest of the goose or duck, truffles, potatoes and garlic soup. More highlights soon...