RedCosmonaut
@redcosmonaut.bsky.social
Capricorn with Gemini ascending (so I'm told). Architect, Engineer, Lawyer, University Professor. Brit, living in Moscow. Cryptic crossword afficionado
Owned by cats, and a duck I saved.
Owned by cats, and a duck I saved.
Times today muses about what single painting "captures" Britain. My pick - Corporal Daphne Pearson GC by Laura Knight. Google her. For me - it captures native values of service, vigilance, unassuming character but with a spine of steel, defiance in war and a whole lot more that was her.
August 15, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Times today muses about what single painting "captures" Britain. My pick - Corporal Daphne Pearson GC by Laura Knight. Google her. For me - it captures native values of service, vigilance, unassuming character but with a spine of steel, defiance in war and a whole lot more that was her.
Possibly the inspiration for Mary Poppins's umbrella
July 16, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Possibly the inspiration for Mary Poppins's umbrella
Haven't got the specs yet - that's probably why
July 12, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Haven't got the specs yet - that's probably why
Good choice. Long time since I was at the Ferens (huge fan), but many happy hours spent there. This is mine - the subject is well known, but what kept me coming back time and time again was the various surfaces glistening with light and water. The best I've ever seen.
July 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Good choice. Long time since I was at the Ferens (huge fan), but many happy hours spent there. This is mine - the subject is well known, but what kept me coming back time and time again was the various surfaces glistening with light and water. The best I've ever seen.
Arguably the most famous. Moonlit night over the Dnipr, Kuindzhi, 1880. No photograph does it justice.
July 12, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Arguably the most famous. Moonlit night over the Dnipr, Kuindzhi, 1880. No photograph does it justice.
A screengrab apparantly from yet another Superman outing. I wonder why he needs a staircase at home - wouldn't he just fly upstairs? You never see his washing machine or smalls on the line either. And SuperDog....that's a new one from the comics - wonder if Superman cleans up after him too.
July 5, 2025 at 5:27 AM
A screengrab apparantly from yet another Superman outing. I wonder why he needs a staircase at home - wouldn't he just fly upstairs? You never see his washing machine or smalls on the line either. And SuperDog....that's a new one from the comics - wonder if Superman cleans up after him too.
This citation is worth reading - it's a variation on the theme of the Valley of Death - and once again you will understand why Gurkhas are pure legends. It was the first, but by no means the last, Gurkha VC of WW2
July 1, 2025 at 7:00 AM
This citation is worth reading - it's a variation on the theme of the Valley of Death - and once again you will understand why Gurkhas are pure legends. It was the first, but by no means the last, Gurkha VC of WW2
I remember the days when check in staff opened your passport to see if it contained a current visa for your destination country (if you weren't a national).
Must be trickier now.
Must be trickier now.
June 20, 2025 at 5:49 AM
I remember the days when check in staff opened your passport to see if it contained a current visa for your destination country (if you weren't a national).
Must be trickier now.
Must be trickier now.
Starmer comes off a poor second next to a real Chief
Never thought about it, but how would you pack such a headdress. Do they fold flat, and how do you protect the incredible length and richness without damaging it?
Never thought about it, but how would you pack such a headdress. Do they fold flat, and how do you protect the incredible length and richness without damaging it?
June 17, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Starmer comes off a poor second next to a real Chief
Never thought about it, but how would you pack such a headdress. Do they fold flat, and how do you protect the incredible length and richness without damaging it?
Never thought about it, but how would you pack such a headdress. Do they fold flat, and how do you protect the incredible length and richness without damaging it?
Lincolnshire County Council win this year's Nobel Prize for Economic Stupidity - my personal alternatives (just invented) to the real Nobels
June 3, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Lincolnshire County Council win this year's Nobel Prize for Economic Stupidity - my personal alternatives (just invented) to the real Nobels
In today's news (Times) - 5 perfect and not ugly at all ducklings
June 2, 2025 at 5:19 AM
In today's news (Times) - 5 perfect and not ugly at all ducklings
Never see this before....
June 1, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Never see this before....
v.2 might have Roman mosaic eyes...
May 29, 2025 at 1:52 PM
v.2 might have Roman mosaic eyes...
"So long and thanks for all the fish"?
May 27, 2025 at 10:29 AM
"So long and thanks for all the fish"?
I have always been incredibly moved by Gallantry, especially by women.
Last year, I was moved to nominate Ms Lucas (todays TImes front page) to the Cabinet Secretary - a nomination so rare that there isn't even a form for it.
In my mind, Ms Lucas is fully the equal of these ladies
Last year, I was moved to nominate Ms Lucas (todays TImes front page) to the Cabinet Secretary - a nomination so rare that there isn't even a form for it.
In my mind, Ms Lucas is fully the equal of these ladies
May 21, 2025 at 7:59 AM
I have always been incredibly moved by Gallantry, especially by women.
Last year, I was moved to nominate Ms Lucas (todays TImes front page) to the Cabinet Secretary - a nomination so rare that there isn't even a form for it.
In my mind, Ms Lucas is fully the equal of these ladies
Last year, I was moved to nominate Ms Lucas (todays TImes front page) to the Cabinet Secretary - a nomination so rare that there isn't even a form for it.
In my mind, Ms Lucas is fully the equal of these ladies
Well known to most architects and engineers. The most beautiful one I know is the Shanghai Tower Tuned Mass Damper. This wikipedia picture makes it look like something out of a sci-fi movie
May 20, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Well known to most architects and engineers. The most beautiful one I know is the Shanghai Tower Tuned Mass Damper. This wikipedia picture makes it look like something out of a sci-fi movie
The TImes yesterday mentioned this was stronger meat than Conclave. Had a rare opportunity to actually watch a whole film at once. Very moving, gave me damp eyes at the end. Left much food for thought, and quite a few Google rabbit holes to go down. Highly recommended.
May 18, 2025 at 10:32 AM
The TImes yesterday mentioned this was stronger meat than Conclave. Had a rare opportunity to actually watch a whole film at once. Very moving, gave me damp eyes at the end. Left much food for thought, and quite a few Google rabbit holes to go down. Highly recommended.
Sarah Ferguson is claiming the late Queen speaks to the through her corgis. “I have her dogs, I have her corgis. Every morning they come in and go ‘woof woof’ - I’m sure it’s her talking to me....reminding me she’s still around.”
That's not the late Queen speaking. Its two dogs.
#BarkingMad
That's not the late Queen speaking. Its two dogs.
#BarkingMad
May 16, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Sarah Ferguson is claiming the late Queen speaks to the through her corgis. “I have her dogs, I have her corgis. Every morning they come in and go ‘woof woof’ - I’m sure it’s her talking to me....reminding me she’s still around.”
That's not the late Queen speaking. Its two dogs.
#BarkingMad
That's not the late Queen speaking. Its two dogs.
#BarkingMad
Have to update my lecture about Magna Carta. Well played Harvard, fabulous news! Bargain basement acquisition price of a copy for $27 in 1945 - turns out to be original. The 7th original!
May 15, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Have to update my lecture about Magna Carta. Well played Harvard, fabulous news! Bargain basement acquisition price of a copy for $27 in 1945 - turns out to be original. The 7th original!
The Times leaders are more harsh today...
May 3, 2025 at 12:45 PM
The Times leaders are more harsh today...
May Day holidays...and it's snowing outside
May 2, 2025 at 4:14 AM
May Day holidays...and it's snowing outside
A book I had as a child, Francis being my favourite - which may go some of the way to explaining why this non-Catholic feels particularly sad today.
RIP Pope Francis
RIP Pope Francis
April 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
A book I had as a child, Francis being my favourite - which may go some of the way to explaining why this non-Catholic feels particularly sad today.
RIP Pope Francis
RIP Pope Francis