gloriabellyrub

‘It’s a Hoot’ – A Treatise on British Owls

As we approach the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Pavia and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V’s decisive victory, it seems appropriate to explore the different owls native to the British Isles. Barn Owl (Tyto Alba) – For many years, it was believed that the bird was named after the man who discovered it, LeonardoContinue reading “‘It’s a Hoot’ – A Treatise on British Owls”

‘Hanging Tough’ – A Treatise on the Importance of Drapery in the Plays of Anton Chekhov

It cannot merely be a coincidence that Chekhov’s first play, the unpublished during his lifetime ‘Platinov’ that the drapes are a simple off-white cotton affair. “Chekhov was not yet ready to fully embrace the potentiality of substantial drapes in a dramatic production,“*1 stated Professor Catherine Klinger, a Lecturer in Russian Literature at Harvard, when sheContinue reading “‘Hanging Tough’ – A Treatise on the Importance of Drapery in the Plays of Anton Chekhov”

‘Cats and Dogs’ – A Treatise on the History of Precipitation

Rain was invented in Polynesia in about 6000B.C. It first appears in cave paintings on Samoa dating from that period. “It’s difficult to be certain,“ says archaeometeorologist, Professor Nonkenstein of Vermont University, “but it appears to be quite a heavy squall.“ Most experts agree, although TV’s Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen claims the brushstrokes indicate a lightContinue reading “‘Cats and Dogs’ – A Treatise on the History of Precipitation”

‘Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?’ – A Treatise on the Origin of Jokes

The best way to kill a joke is by explaining how it works. Another way is by exploring and investigating its origins. In this treatise I intend to murder several of the English language’s most stalwart rib-ticklers. “My wife has gone to the West Indies.” “Jamaica?” “No, she went of her own accord.” This jokeContinue reading “‘Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?’ – A Treatise on the Origin of Jokes”

‘Dedication Would Seem Mandatory’ – A Treatise on Modern World Records

As the new edition of the Guinness Book of World Records from the GWR comes out this week, I decided to explore some of the more modern records that have been created or broken in this past calendar year and what they reveal about the evolution of human society. The number of people called JudyContinue reading “‘Dedication Would Seem Mandatory’ – A Treatise on Modern World Records”

‘President Ed’ – A Treatise on the Failed Presidential Campaign of Mister Ed

In 1968 a horse came fourth in the Republican Party Primaries. Not since, William Howard Taft had eaten Meridian the 1911 Kentucky Derby winner after an argument with its owner, Richard F. Carman, over who should pay for the clams, had a horse had such a prominent role in US politics. This incident so enragedContinue reading “‘President Ed’ – A Treatise on the Failed Presidential Campaign of Mister Ed”

‘No It’s True’ – A Treatise on the History of Warlocks

Warlocks – the term originates from the Old Northumbrian for ‘our hair’ as early warlocks were famed for their outrageously large beehive hairdos. In a footnote to his ‘Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum’, the Venerable Bede wrote ‘There are locals who forsake the Lord and instead besmear their loins in goose grease and applieth the sameContinue reading “‘No It’s True’ – A Treatise on the History of Warlocks”

‘Wither Walt?’ – A Treatise on America’s Other Animation Studio

With the early depictions of Mickey Mouse falling out of copyright protection in January, it reminded me of that other great animation studio: Barfing. In this treatise, I explore its birth, rise, and eventual fall from grace and why we remember the Mouseketeers but not Barfonauts. Dick Barfing founded the animation studio in 1927 atContinue reading “‘Wither Walt?’ – A Treatise on America’s Other Animation Studio”

‘Shall I Compare Thee to the Roundness of a Cox’s Orange Pippin’ – A Treatise on Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18

Let’s take it a line at a time. “Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s day?” – Shakespeare was of course famously indecisive – “To be or not to be?”, “This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill; cannot be good:”, “Darling you’ve got to let me know, should I stay or should I go?’. This ditheryContinue reading “‘Shall I Compare Thee to the Roundness of a Cox’s Orange Pippin’ – A Treatise on Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18”

‘Sweet-toothed Songstresses’ – A Treatise on the Cultural Significance of the Sugababes

Whilst Britney Spears wished to be hit, Aguilera insisted on being rubbed before she cooperated in any way, the Sugababes simply requested that people pressed a button. This unassuming approach to life appealed to a great deal of the British public at the turn of the millennia when we were all just thankful the bugContinue reading “‘Sweet-toothed Songstresses’ – A Treatise on the Cultural Significance of the Sugababes”