Comments on: Flying ducks http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/ Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:14:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Crooked Timber » » An Interview, By Timothy! http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156522 Crooked Timber » » An Interview, By Timothy! Mon, 22 May 2006 17:35:51 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156522 [...] I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that BB7 could have been devised just for me; no news, no music, no sport, no ads, just a lower-middle-brow selection of comedy and drama from the radio archives. I tape the classic comedies for the kids (ISIRTA, The Goons, and, a bit worryingly, Steptoe and Son, are top of the pops in our house, on which more another time) and listen to the dramas myself. The best part of the station finding its feet the station has been hearing the announcers grow into their material. Initially only Jim Lee seemed to know and love the classic shows(I gather he is considered eccentric for being a Clitheroe Kid enthusiast; I can’t imagine why). My favourite announcer was openly bemused—even a little mocking—when she first started presented the Paul Temple shows, and it has been a lot of fun hearing her come to love them, a love which is sweetly on display in this interview with Peter Coke (pronounced Cook) who played Temple in the 50’s and 60’s. At 92 Coke is stunningly energetic and on the ball—I caught him misnaming Coronation Scot, but he was otherwise enviously youthful, and obviously delighted to have such a young fan. Example of Coke’s amazing shellwork here (John Q might want to take note); a picture of the great man himself here if you scroll down the page a bit (he was born the same year as Ted Grant!). [...] [...] I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that BB7 could have been devised just for me; no news, no music, no sport, no ads, just a lower-middle-brow selection of comedy and drama from the radio archives. I tape the classic comedies for the kids (ISIRTA, The Goons, and, a bit worryingly, Steptoe and Son, are top of the pops in our house, on which more another time) and listen to the dramas myself. The best part of the station finding its feet the station has been hearing the announcers grow into their material. Initially only Jim Lee seemed to know and love the classic shows(I gather he is considered eccentric for being a Clitheroe Kid enthusiast; I can’t imagine why). My favourite announcer was openly bemused—even a little mocking—when she first started presented the Paul Temple shows, and it has been a lot of fun hearing her come to love them, a love which is sweetly on display in this interview with Peter Coke (pronounced Cook) who played Temple in the 50’s and 60’s. At 92 Coke is stunningly energetic and on the ball—I caught him misnaming Coronation Scot, but he was otherwise enviously youthful, and obviously delighted to have such a young fan. Example of Coke’s amazing shellwork here (John Q might want to take note); a picture of the great man himself here if you scroll down the page a bit (he was born the same year as Ted Grant!). [...]

]]> By: nameless http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156326 nameless Sat, 20 May 2006 15:16:00 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156326 We went through the same process in the early 70's we had a framed print of "Poker Playing Dogs" in our house--it's hard not to get to like those beings after living with them for a while. I got over my superior attitude toward black satin paintings (and their owners) the same way. We went through the same process in the early 70’s we had a framed print of “Poker Playing Dogs” in our house—it’s hard not to get to like those beings after living with them for a while. I got over my superior attitude toward black satin paintings (and their owners) the same way.

]]> By: John Quiggin http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156296 John Quiggin Fri, 19 May 2006 22:25:50 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156296 Escher posters were considered seriously cool when I started collecting, so I don't have any. I did have a gnome, but left it behind on one of my many moves. Escher posters were considered seriously cool when I started collecting, so I don’t have any. I did have a gnome, but left it behind on one of my many moves.

]]> By: eudoxis http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156294 eudoxis Fri, 19 May 2006 21:42:30 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156294 There's nothing tasteless about flying duck paintings. The plaques are odd. Not as odd as the black iron american eagles over the entry. There’s nothing tasteless about flying duck paintings.

The plaques are odd. Not as odd as the black iron american eagles over the entry.

]]> By: harry b http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156281 harry b Fri, 19 May 2006 18:08:56 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156281 You'll be telling us you have some of those escher posters up next, John. I like the ducks too. I'd own garden gnomes if my wife would let me. In fact whatever sophistication I appear to have is largely constructed by my wife's vetoes. You’ll be telling us you have some of those escher posters up next, John.

I like the ducks too. I’d own garden gnomes if my wife would let me. In fact whatever sophistication I appear to have is largely constructed by my wife’s vetoes.

]]> By: Jimmy Doyle http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156261 Jimmy Doyle Fri, 19 May 2006 15:11:15 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156261 Thanks Taj. That was a close one. Thanks Taj. That was a close one.

]]> By: taj http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156255 taj Fri, 19 May 2006 14:01:31 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156255 I am inspired to share a pun about not giving a flying duck, but in the interest of good taste I shall keep it to myself. I am inspired to share a pun about not giving a flying duck, but in the interest of good taste I shall keep it to myself.

]]> By: City Life http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156253 City Life Fri, 19 May 2006 13:45:41 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156253 Would you consider selling the koala? I have the perfect spot for it. Would you consider selling the koala?
I have the perfect spot for it.

]]> By: Richard Bellamy http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156252 Richard Bellamy Fri, 19 May 2006 13:40:30 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156252 Is not this issue fully and decisively covered by the <a href="http://crookedtimber.org/2005/07/11/the-ironic-gnome-rule/" rel="nofollow">Ironic Gnome Rule</a>? Is not this issue fully and decisively covered by the Ironic Gnome Rule?

]]> By: SomeCallMeTim http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156248 SomeCallMeTim Fri, 19 May 2006 13:24:02 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156248 <i>So is it OK to like flying ducks? </i> I think it depends on whether you're listening to The Smiths as you enjoy them. So is it OK to like flying ducks?

I think it depends on whether you’re listening to The Smiths as you enjoy them.

]]> By: Kieran Healy http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156246 Kieran Healy Fri, 19 May 2006 13:05:05 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156246 If it were good enough for Hilda Ogden (and also Wallace) it's good enough for me. If it were good enough for Hilda Ogden (and also Wallace) it’s good enough for me.

]]> By: Rich http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156237 Rich Fri, 19 May 2006 11:03:40 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156237 Jeez, Belle. I thought I was going to be the one to place an obscure Soap Opera reference here. You took Ducks. I'll just say "...Shepherd's Pie, or eggs benedict, or whatever..." Rich Jeez, Belle.

I thought I was going to be the one to place an obscure Soap Opera reference here.

You took Ducks. I’ll just say “…Shepherd’s Pie, or eggs benedict, or whatever…”

Rich

]]> By: Belle Waring http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156230 Belle Waring Fri, 19 May 2006 10:21:59 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156230 I've now realized we are apparently talking about plaques of flying ducks rather than original oil paintings of flying ducks. hmmm. could still be good, but more in the way the cool "nukes keep america running" shirt I got for John at a thrift store. he never wears it. bastard. I’ve now realized we are apparently talking about plaques of flying ducks rather than original oil paintings of flying ducks. hmmm. could still be good, but more in the way the cool “nukes keep america running” shirt I got for John at a thrift store. he never wears it. bastard.

]]> By: Sharon http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156229 Sharon Fri, 19 May 2006 10:19:23 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156229 Aren't we all into ironic-retro-trash chic these days anyway? 50s, 70s, 80s (why? why? wasn't that decade bad enough the first time round?), take your pick. If the middle-class tastemakers laughed at it 20 years ago, chances are it'll be the latest must-have either now or very soon. Aren’t we all into ironic-retro-trash chic these days anyway? 50s, 70s, 80s (why? why? wasn’t that decade bad enough the first time round?), take your pick. If the middle-class tastemakers laughed at it 20 years ago, chances are it’ll be the latest must-have either now or very soon.

]]> By: Belle Waring http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/comment-page-1/#comment-156227 Belle Waring Fri, 19 May 2006 10:09:16 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/05/19/flying-ducks/#comment-156227 the kinks addressed this issue in their song "ducks on the wall". "my baby's got the most deplorable taste/but her biggest mistake/is hanging over the fireplace/she's got ducks, ducks on the wall." etc. perhaps the best?:"I love you baby but I can't ball/when I see those ducks on the wall." ironically in the states, ducks on the wall have a high/low valence, possibly skewed high. there may be some trailer-dwellers with ducks in flight up there next to the kincaid paintings, but in my experience you are most likely to encounter such a painting in the home of the high WASP. massive collection of duck miniatures/actual decoys also nice. brass lamps made of real ships lamps? yup. commissioned oil portraits of your english setters are also good*. *for some value of good. don't blame me, he's only my grandad. I would be happy to have a good ducks on the wall painting over my fireplace. if i had a fireplace. and a good painting of ducks. the kinks addressed this issue in their song “ducks on the wall”. “my baby’s got the most deplorable taste/but her biggest mistake/is hanging over the fireplace/she’s got ducks, ducks on the wall.” etc. perhaps the best?:”I love you baby but I can’t ball/when I see those ducks on the wall.”

ironically in the states, ducks on the wall have a high/low valence, possibly skewed high. there may be some trailer-dwellers with ducks in flight up there next to the kincaid paintings, but in my experience you are most likely to encounter such a painting in the home of the high WASP. massive collection of duck miniatures/actual decoys also nice. brass lamps made of real ships lamps? yup. commissioned oil portraits of your english setters are also good*.

*for some value of good. don’t blame me, he’s only my grandad.

I would be happy to have a good ducks on the wall painting over my fireplace. if i had a fireplace. and a good painting of ducks.

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