Meaning Making Machines [468]
Greetings from a train heading south...
I’m Christian Payne, autotelic, photographer and writer. In this weekly dispatch I seek out novelty, explore the relations between things, how we share, what we share and consume, plus where we might be going. Thanks for joining in.
#TheAction
You find me fragile and open to suggestion. Not too many hours ago, just before sunrise, I was group hugging three guys I’d only just met. The Thinking Digital after party had dispersed long before and I was about to wobble back to my hotel. Newcastle is always fun but sometimes more fun than I can handle.
Good events are catalysts, the tip of the iceberg. They are the beginnings of something (or somethings) far bigger than you can anticipate. Thinking Digital and the ideas and connections made there, are a gift I contemplate long after the doors close.
My role this year was to deliver a workshop on Amateur Radio. It was well received, even by those in attendance who had no idea what they were getting into.
#ThePictures
Some phone snaps of the Aurora.
I’m enjoying the photography of Richard Stuart.
This photo I found on an old hard drive this week was taken in Kurdistan, Iraq 2005. I was documenting the Peshmerga.
It was serious work but smiling to a camera is an automatic response. I seem to remember being somewhere near the Iranian border.
Brilliant little animation.
#TheWords
‘My rendezvous with the raw milk black market.’
Long Read: ‘By the end of October, it was clear that no one was going to help the villagers of Khirbet Zanuta’.
#TheSound
I watched this guy James Berry play covers in the Dubliner last night.
He was bloody good. So is the pub where the photo at the top was taken.
This week I have mostly been listening to Plastic Fantastic by Ted Fok. “..every story is a virus, every virus is a story…”
I was waiting to be old enough to be in a blues band but this makes me want to immediately start a psychedelic folk band.
Short Cuts by Josie Long is still one of my fave podcasts. I extended what was meant to be a quick dog walk this week so I could listen this episode called Body Movements and this one called Heart’s Desire. Some great moments in this lovely audio.
#TheConsumed
Did you know, that if you don’t eat it often, you only need to buy celery once. Here is how to get infinite celery from one purchase.
I had some Vienetta at the weekend. Remember that?
I’m not sure I’ve had it since the 80’s but remember it well. It was a treat we would only really see at my Grandmother’s house. I distinctly remember sitting at a table of six, salivation over my tiny slice, thinking one day I’ll have a whole Vienetta to myself.
And this week I could have. There were a few in the freezer for a party. One of them survived. Hidden behind a blue icepack. I thought this is it. Almost 40 years since I made myself that promise, this is the day I eat a whole Vienetta to myself.
But I have my own kids now. And sacrifices have to be made. So I stopped myself at two big slices. Which turned out to be about half. A big pudding for lunchtime. We finished it off for tea. A small slice each which never feels like enough.
Next time I do a big bike ride I’m going to pack a spork and factor in a Vienetta stop en-route. Although at 1560 calories i’ll need to peddle 62 miles over 5hours to burn it off.
#TheThings
I have not used medium format film since the 90’s. The camera was a birthday present from ArtPod and it came with a roll of 120 which was 19 years out of date.
I waited for my friend Gordon to pop round before I loaded it (With his guidance.) It was simple enough but it’s nice to have someone ensure it’s done correctly. Even if being an old film it might not produce the crispest of images. The camera has a slightly sticky shutter button but I think a little use should loosen it.
#TheThanks
Thank you to all the paying subscribers that support my time here and keep this dispatch free for everyone. Please consider upgrading to become a paid supporter. Either way… Thank you for reading, sharing and liking.
#TheWeb
Vatican tightens rules on supernatural phenomena.
Twitter is finally dead.
Are you over due a Facebook Detox?
Thanks Ross, just spotted your message on the Documentally community map
Computer scientists invent an efficient new way to count.
Got loads of money and enjoy Whisky? If so Just-whisky.co.uk might be right up your street.
Some of my other places include Letterboxd, Flickr, Strava, LinkedIn, YouTube, Mastodon, a ham radio newsletter or search ‘Documentally’ on Wire, Birdsite, Bluesky or Daft Social.
Archie the first search engine has been rescued.
Have you seen Donation Genie? Use it next time you’re in the supermarket.
#TheEnd
Manky, the flightless pigeon that was living in my garden has disappeared. There is no sight of a struggle so I’m hoping that during its daily wing test it finally took flight and flew somewhere interesting. Next week I might go to the Podcast Show in London but this weekend i’ll be catching up on sleep.
“Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration's shove or society's kiss on your forehead. Pay attention. It's all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.” ~ Susan Sontag
Stay eager.
See you out there.
Over…
