Fire Poi

We spent last night at the post-wedding reception and party for one of bugshaw's cousins. It was a very good do, with lots of food, even more drink, and all sorts of entertainment, including a poi dance - with burning poi! I took a few photos with B's camera in night-exposure mode, and I think they came out rather well.

( Sample pic behind cut )

In fact, the pictures looked awfully familiar to me, until I realised that they were very reminiscent of Lissajous Patterns. This is no coincidence, as it doubtless comes out of the natural rhythm and motions in the poi dance, but it's very nice to see such a striking example of arts/science interaction.

Simon

RAF Museum Trip - 4th September

(I initially posted this as a Friends-locked post a few weeks back, but I'm now opening it up a bit more widely.)

In the spirit of childeric and swisstone's tours of early London and Winchester I'm planning to do a semi-guided tour of the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon (free admission) on Sunday 4th September.

What do I mean by 'semi-guided?' Well, the RAF Museum comprises several large halls and it would be very tedious for me to try and talk through everything in them! What I'll aim to do is talk about some key exhibits in each of the major areas and generally be available for questions in between whilst people look around.

Talking of answering questions, my expertise is roughly as follows:

- I can bore for Britain on jet fighters, guided weapons and jet engines.

- I am fairly well up on RAF history and all that Battle of Britain stuff (yes, I can tell a Hurricane from a Spitfire).

- Anyone asking about the Royal Flying Corps or planes with more than one set of wings will be referred to that episode of Blackadder Goes Forth with Rik Mayall as Squadron Commander Flashheart.

The plan for Sep 4th to meet at the RAF Museum cafe at noon and spend three or four hours on the tour / looking around. The Museum is about ten minutes' walk from Colindale tube or there is plenty of free parking.

If you're interested in coming and haven't already told me, please comment below. So far I have swisstone as definite, tobesv, ajshepherd and fjm as probable/possibles, and a few other Definite Expressions of Interest.

Simon