The Kat Basket

The Kat Basket http://kittybriton.multiply.com/ <div style="background: transparent url(http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/b0825c58bf92be94f0e8be7dae284635f29f8a5.jpg) repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; "> Nice to see you. Now, is there anything particular you would like? If you're looking for something more tangible, I recommend the photos section, or for music (with a story behind it) perhaps you will find something of interest in the blog pages? Born into a musical family, I was determined not to be musical, so learned the recorder. When I started reading the <a style="font-weight: bold; " target="_blank" title="Brother Cadfael" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Cadfael">Brother Cadfael</a> mysteries that led me into the field of <a style="font-weight: bold; " target="_blank" title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_music">early music</a> which in turn led me to building <a style="font-weight: bold; " target="_blank" title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recorder">recorders</a>, a <a style="font-weight: bold; " target="_blank" title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clavichord">clavichord</a> and a <a style="font-weight: bold; " target="_blank" title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lute">lute</a>. Notwithstanding that I am qualified as a <a style="font-weight: bold; " target="_blank" title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_arts">graphic artist</a>, my new woodworking skills led me into woodcarving so these days I am as likely to be working in wood as in watercolors, or making music. If you're looking for some free sheet music, I hope you will take a look at my <a style="font-weight: bold; " target="_blank" title="" href="http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-DEZvkn4mdKvQ_rCscDGUCKEdcpuoHTHS;_ylt=Ar4xbVKtm0rLh2NVM7qyN5q0AOJ3">blog</a> where I present tunes that seem to be requested again and again, in <a style="font-weight: bold; " target="_blank" title="" href="http://www.walshaw.plus.com/abc/">abc notation</a> together with a link to the amazingly useful online <a style="font-weight: bold; " target="_blank" title="" href="http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html">Tune-O-Tron</a> converter which will produce sheet music, or a MIDI playback from abc notation, on demand. <table style="text-align: center; "><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><a style="text-decoration: none; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(211, 87, 1); font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; " href="http://www.etsy.com">Etsy</a> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(211, 87, 1); font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; " href="http://www.etsy.com">Buy Handmade</a> <a style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; " href="http://kittybriton.etsy.com">kittybriton</a></td></tr></tbody></table> </div> Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:34:07 -0000 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:39:29 -0000 The Kat Basket http://images.kittybriton.multiply.com/logo http://kittybriton.multiply.com 100 100 How I Stole Someone's Identity: Scientific American Echoed from <a href="http://dantcer.multiply.com/journal/item/394/Anatomy_Of_A_Social_Hack">Dantcer's Studio</a> because I think you should think about what personal information is readily available, that you might not even remember putting out http://kittybriton.multiply.com/links/item/22/How_I_Stole_Someones_Identity_Scientific_American Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:39:29 -0000 Journey's End. (at LAST!) (Wednesday, March 15th, 1600) <img id="jq1w" src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_235drm8hk8m_b"> After spending Tuesday in the village of Hingham, Will Kemp set out on the final stage of his journey to Norwich this morning. With five boisterous young men running alongside, we make it through Barford Bridge, until we are within sight of the city. And within sight, and hearing of the astonishing crowds that have turned out, even on a working day, to welcome Master Kemp. I think Will is wise to take the advice offered by George Sprat to take his gelding and ride to lodgings which have been offered a stone's throw from St.Giles's gate; to try to dance through the crush would be almost impossible, not to mention physically dangerous! In the evening, talking to drinkers in the White Lion tavern I learn that Will has been advised by Master Roger Wiler, Mayor of the city, to delay dancing into the city until Saturday (March 25th) by which time many nobles, and other wealthy patrons will have had time to visit the city to witness the spectacle (and of cou... http://kittybriton.multiply.com/journal/item/57/Journeys_End._at_LAST Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:53:00 -0000 GIMP transparent vignette This tutorial will walk you through the creation of a transparent vignette, and introduce the use of the path http://kittybriton.multiply.com/photos/album/21/GIMP_transparent_vignette Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:56:20 -0000 Presenting Arms (Friday, March 13th, 1600) <a id="hfby" href="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_232fv24mqgz_b" target="_blank"><img id="r:0t" style="margin: 1em 0pt 0pt 1em;float: right;" src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_232fv24mqgz_b" width="208" height="333"></a>In order not to be conspicuous, I can't carry a personal wristwatch in this century. But I can get away with a <a title="a timeline of timekeeping" href="http://www.abc.net.au/wa/stories/s1143831.htm" id="arzq">pendant watch</a> on a necklace. Whoever was occupying the room next to mine at the Bell Inn for the last couple of days was suffering with a very bad chest infection; coughing and wheezing all night and most of the day when I was there. And the inn staff were often bringing hot soup and strong-smelling home remedies to the room. While I haven't been able to get much sleep, I've managed. But I feel worse for the poor soul in the next room. According to my pendant watch at about four thirty this morning one of the inn staff woke me banging on his door, and it turned out that he had finally succumbed to his illness. After that, I couldn't really sleep - too much coming and going; a priest administering a final blessing, the constable of the town making certain that no mischief had been done, and two m... http://kittybriton.multiply.com/journal/item/56/Presenting_Arms Fri, 8 Aug 2008 10:53:00 -0000 Transparency with GIMP A step by step guide to creating a transparent image using http://kittybriton.multiply.com/photos/album/20/Transparency_with_GIMP Wed, 6 Aug 2008 01:35:01 -0000 Run rabbit, run rabbit! run! run! run! (Friday, March 10th, 1600) <a id="x:h0" href="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_230ff2g7x9q_b" target="_blank"><img id="e2es" style="margin: 1em 0pt 0pt 1em;width: 396px;height: 400px;float: right;" src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_230ff2g7x9q_b"></a>During our stay in St.Edmundsbury I have had opportunity to ask around, and found that <a title="learn more at the official Moyses Hall site" target="_blank" href="http://www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/sebc/visit/moyses-hall.cfm" id="ah5f">Moyse's Hall</a> is currently the home of the King family, local merchants. From Mistress Woodgate, one of the family servants, I learn that the house was, as I thought, originally the home of a Jewish financier who dedicated the hall on the first floor for use as a synagogue, although later part of the building was used as a tavern before being bought by the King family. Since Will Kemp planned to stay a few more days in Bury St. Edmunds, I had time to follow up my ambition to trace the town walls. Of course there are places where it was difficult or impossible to follow the path of the walls, but in many places the <a title="the typical shiny black stone used in East Anglian buildings" target="_blank" href="http://www.nhbg.fsnet.co.uk/flinthart.htm" id="gycv">knapped flint</a> walls are still standing at least partially. And the houses don't reach all the way to the wall; in many places there are small meadows with sheep or blanketed horses huddling against the snow and munching f... http://kittybriton.multiply.com/journal/item/55/Run_rabbit_run_rabbit_run_run_run Fri, 1 Aug 2008 07:10:00 -0000 Don't let your best pictures get stolen... Unless you intend to license your pictures uploaded to internet sites for sharing using a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/">Creative Commons</a> license, you may want to consider protecting them by adding a watermark; a relatively unobtrusive line of text which identifies the picture as your intellectual property, and which requires some time and effort for even a skilled photo editor to remove if placed strategically. This guide is written specifically for users of the GNU <a href="http://www.gimp.org/">GIMP</a>, but the same principles should be applicable for most common photo editing http://kittybriton.multiply.com/photos/album/19/Dont_let_your_best_pictures_get_stolen... Fri, 1 Aug 2008 03:12:54 -0000 For the comfort of the living Johannes Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem http://kittybriton.multiply.com/music/item/119/For_the_comfort_of_the_living Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:13:44 -0000 Saint Edmundsbury (Saturday, March 4th, 1600)It's my birthday! I've already celebrated my birthday this year in my native time, so am tempted to have a second birthday back here. However, Will Kemp keeps up a cracking pace; even Tom Slye has admitted that sometimes he has trouble keeping up, and he's been a taberer these past fifteen years, five of them with Will.Since Will has been staying with the Colts family, I have touched base with Master Slye, and am ready for once, when Will sets out before dawn, in the frosty March air. Master Colts' fool is accompanying Will in his dance as a good-sized crowd, some of whom must have been up as early as five a.m. trot along after.<img id="jve2" style="margin: 1em 0pt 0pt 1em;width: 183px;height: 225px;float: right;" src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_228dvnf4knh_b">It seems quite a detour to me, but Will Kemp has chosen to make his way through the village of Clare making a visit to the widow Everet.Since I am not invited to visit I take the time to talk to some of the village folk who know Mistress... http://kittybriton.multiply.com/journal/item/54/_Saint_Edmundsbury Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0000 Fear No Evil The wonderful song "God is bigger than the Boogie Man", from Veggie http://kittybriton.multiply.com/music/item/115/Fear_No_Evil Sun, 20 Jul 2008 17:41:56 -0000 The Mad Organist <img src="http://peteashton.com/images/phantom_silent_organ.jpg"> <blockquote>Sing a song of nightmare of monsters in your dreams! Four and twenty ravens in chorus with your screams. The doors refuse to open, there are spiders in your hair, but nothing less could hold you down and give you such a scare!</blockquote> I don't know whether this is what Poulenc had in mind when composing his Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor, but this is certainly how it has always sounded to http://kittybriton.multiply.com/music/item/107/The_Mad_Organist Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:53:52 -0000 Merrily to Melford (Wednesday, March 1st, 1600) I continue to be taken by surprise by Will Kemp's eagerness to get going. Being somewhat of a late riser (around 7pm) on these chilly mornings, the other tavern guests are usually finishing their breakfast or making horses ready by the time I get to the table. This morning master Kemp set out nearly an hour before, borrowing a horse to ride the three miles he danced previously and continue, so I will have some way to make up. I finally catch up with Will in Sudbury, the first of the Suffolk market towns which we will pass through but I have no idea where he is. Usually it's a pretty fair bet that if I head for the nearest excited crowd, Will is either in the middle, or somebody can tell me where to look but today a wagon has lost a wheel and there is no shortage of bystanders with advice on how to raise the wagon, repair the axle and take care of the horses! <a id="pcnl" href="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_223gb76gwrf_b" target="_blank"><img id="luh9" style="margin: 1em 0pt 0pt 1em;width: 292px;height: 200px;float: right;" src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_223gb76gwrf_b"></a>I am alerted by a ringing "Heigh Ho! Master Kemp!" as Will sets out to lea... http://kittybriton.multiply.com/journal/item/53/Merrily_to_Melford Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:50:00 -0000 Leapfrogging twixt Chelmsford and Braintree Having arrived late in Chelmsford, I caught up the day's events over breakfast with Will Kemp the next morning (Saturday). To summarise: Sir Thomas Mildmay met him at the gates of his estate, where he graciously received a pair of <a title="The history of the English Order of the Garter explains a little of the significance of the gift" target="_blank" href="http://www.montaguemillennium.com/familyresearch/garter.htm" id="y87r">garters</a> from Master Kemp. <img id="b.z5" style="width: 212px;height: 239px;" src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_221cjrmrcdg_b"> When Will finally made it through the crush to the Saracen's Head he was too weary to dance further, so tossed a few gags from the window for the crowds gathered below. After breakfast, Will set out, but only made three miles of the road toward Braintree before turning back. I think he had overestimated his stamina and needed more time to recover. During the stopover in Chelmsford a young lady of fourteen obtained permission from her parents to dance a Morris (or three). The innkeeper was good enough to clear a large dining room, and the pair danced for almost an hour, with bells jingling, and handkerchiefs waving merrily. (Monday, February 28th, 1600) When I got up this morning I found that Master Kemp had already ac... http://kittybriton.multiply.com/journal/item/52/Leapfrogging_twixt_Chelmsford_and_Braintree Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:53:00 -0000 Dragon poster Sort of a motivational poster. Only not. Don't mess with the http://kittybriton.multiply.com/links/item/21/Dragon_poster Sat, 5 Jul 2008 13:51:56 -0000 Horseplay (Friday, February 25th, 1600) I would be the first to admit that I'm not a terribly good horse rider, and about a mile after leaving Ingatestone, I finally realized that my horse was favoring her right hind leg. Dismounting, I found that she had thrown a shoe, and while it wouldn't be a big problem on these dirt roads, in the long term it could lead to painful damage to her hoof, and the livery stable would certainly demand compensation from me when I change horses. That was how I came to detour to <a title="a small village in Essex, England" target="_blank" href="http://www.ukvillages.co.uk/village/Margaretting-Essex" id="ta_0">Margaretting</a>, the nearest village with a smithy. When I got there, three old men were sitting on logs in the shade of the barn end of the smithy while a "simple" lad busied himself chasing birds from the field beside the smithy. I asked the old fellows if the smith was also a <a title="learn more at the home of the Worshipful Company of Farriers of the City and Guilds of London" target="_blank" href="http://www.wcf.org.uk/farriery_and_the_horse" id="wh:o">farrier</a>, and they laughed at me: <a id="h3hi" href="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_215cjjz42d3_b" target="_blank"><img id="k.fu" style="margin: 1em 0pt 0pt 1em;float: right;" src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_215cjjz42d3_b" width="380" height="369"></a>"No farrier, he. But a smith's no use in a village like this without he knows shoeing." When the smith steps out of the workshop he calls to the lad chasing the birds and I... http://kittybriton.multiply.com/journal/item/51/Horseplay Fri, 4 Jul 2008 05:43:00 -0000 He dances his troubles away (Thursday, February 24th, 1600) When I spoke with Master Kemp at the inn in Burntwood he told me, though if it were me, I would certainly have made more of a complaint of it, that he had strained his hip as he left Romford. But he decided it would not be worth the trouble of consulting a surgeon. Having pulled my own shoulder slightly (I should have accepted help with my saddlebags) I feel the same way: the most likely treatment would be either leeching or bleeding and a rub with something that smells like horse liniment and probably contains most of the same ingredients. <a id="wa5i" href="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_2074wdst6gj_b" target="_blank"><img id="b3:0" style="margin: 1em 0pt 0pt 1em;width: 300px;height: 287px;float: right;" src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_2074wdst6gj_b"></a>I do feel, though, that if anyone has cause to complain, it is poor Will. The market crowds combined with sightseers both from London, and North Essex were so thick when he reached Burntwood (these days the name has slipped to Brentwood) that he had difficulty making his way to an inn. I managed to find a 21st century picture of the Bell where we stopped in Ingerstone (Ingatestone), which is a comfortabl... http://kittybriton.multiply.com/journal/item/50/He_dances_his_troubles_away Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:19:00 -0000 universal laws - eSnips, share anything The older you get, the more you realize that some things are the same no matter where you are or what you http://kittybriton.multiply.com/links/item/20/universal_laws_-_eSnips_share_anything Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:07:09 -0000 SCOTTISH MODERN MATHEMATICS PAPER 2008 This is the Math paper you won't see in the exam room. But it makes a lot more sense than the real deal. It helps if you know a wee bit aboot Scotland, http://kittybriton.multiply.com/links/item/19/SCOTTISH_MODERN_MATHEMATICS_PAPER_2008 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:11:28 -0000 The Door into Winter: The Unacceptable Cost of Conformity http://kittybriton.multiply.com/links/item/18/The_Door_into_Winter_The_Unacceptable_Cost_of_Conformity Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:21:54 -0000 Resting in Romford (Monday, February 21st, 1600) "Over here! I've settled with the innkeeper so we're good for a couple of days, which should be long enough. Now, let me introduce you to Master Tom Slye; this is the fellow who is playing the <a title="the common one-man band of the renaissance era" target="_blank" href="http://www.music.iastate.edu/antiqua/pipetabr.htm" id="j4hu">pipe and tabor</a> for Master Kemp on his journey." <img id="qq2q" style="margin: 1em 1em 0pt 0pt; float: left; " src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_202hpwswrqs_b" width="208" height="155">It's nice to be back in the warmth of an inn. Before you got here, Tom was telling me how within a quarter-mile of the town, a gentleman on horseback offered Will to ride the little distance remaining while Tom had to make his own way on foot, in the frosty moonlight. At least Master Kemp was kind enough to stand him a hot pie when he arrived at the Red Lion (later renamed the <a title="reviews of the modern Golden Lion" target="_blank" href="http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/13/13057/Golden_Lion/Romford" id="ofbl">Golden Lion</a> ). Nobody seems to know where Master Kemp is right now. My guess is he's probably flaked out on a lumpy bed somewhere in the inn, and I think he deserves his rest: according to Tom, most of the Londoners who followed him as far as Mile End expected him to give up his jig before he ever reached Mile End, or at least stop there for ca... http://kittybriton.multiply.com/journal/item/49/Resting_in_Romford Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:16:00 -0000 The United States Air Force makes sure Christmas is safe The United States Air Force regards all traffic through United States airspace as a very serious business, and annually monitors the journey of Santa from takeoff at the North Pole until he touches down again safely. If you have young children, bookmark this site for http://kittybriton.multiply.com/links/item/17/The_United_States_Air_Force_makes_sure_Christmas_is_safe Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:16:42 -0000 A Nine Days Wonder! Even with a warm travelling cloak, on days like this I miss comforts like central heating. And the <a title="a high-backed bench" target="_blank" href="http://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/880/mia/d/heartland+oak+monks+bench+settle/pid/3285038" id="w9mg">settle</a> near the fireplace is already occupied so we will have to make do with one of the less conspicuous tables in the corner. "Potboy? Two halves of mulled cider, if you please, for me and my companion here. And I fancy we shall have an ounce of Virginia tobacco if you have any." I chose this seat for us, so that we can eavesdrop on the conversation between Master Kemp (the fellow with the ruddy complexion) and Master Pinchbeck (pale face, straggly hair. Nice suede jacket though.) Did you hear that? I love it when we can be in at the beginning of something like this! He just wagered with Kemp that he wouldn't jig from London to Norwich! OK, by way of introduction, Will Kemp enjoys quite a reputation as a clown, and has done several seasons with the various theaters of London which is probably how Pinchbeck knows him. Before he went solo he was in the service of the Earl of Leicester ... http://kittybriton.multiply.com/journal/item/48/A_Nine_Days_Wonder Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:59:00 -0000 The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. | Expiating Guilt, Promulgating Joy and Serving the Community NOT your typical nuns! Since 1979 they have devoted themselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual http://kittybriton.multiply.com/links/item/16/The_Sisters_of_Perpetual_Indulgence_Inc._Expiating_Guilt_Promulgating_Joy_and_Serving_the_Community Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:47:30 -0000 Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini -by Sergei Rachmaninov If you grew up in the 70's in England, you might recognize some of the movements in this music as the theme for the ITV programme, "The Book http://kittybriton.multiply.com/music/item/99/Rhapsody_on_a_theme_of_Paganini_-by_Sergei_Rachmaninov Fri, 6 Jun 2008 15:56:04 -0000 From flours to flowers; tulipmania On a warm summer's evening in 1634 the deal has been concluded and title deeds have been exchanged. In a deal that took me by surprise, a rustic miller sold the mill that he can no longer run for five rare tulip bulbs! (Unfortunately, by my time the famous Semper Augustus is extinct, and these are actually <a title="discover the delights of the tulip!" target="_blank" href="http://www.oldhousegardens.com/bulb.asp?Cat=TU&page=1" id="ps0c">Adonis</a>, a flower with a similar pattern to S.Augustus and to an untrained eye, indistinguishable). <a id="gs-l0" target="_blank" href="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_197dr4v4xgf_b"><img id="vbzv" style="margin: 1em 1em 0pt 0pt; width: 361px; height: 450px; float: left; " src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dgc3t2g_197dr4v4xgf_b"></a>The disabled miller proposes that we should celebrate by visiting the tavern and getting Fleemered (his word, not mine!). Far be it from me to object: while the rare bulbs with which the mill was bought were expensive in my own time, they were not worth nearly as much as they are in seventeenth century Holland. The Dolfijn tavern offers tobacco as well as drinks, and as soon as Sebastiaan has made himself comfortable, both he and Susanna order tobacco as well as a round of drinks. I can't help being a little concerned about Sebastiaan's long-term welfare: while the ... http://kittybriton.multiply.com/journal/item/47/From_flours_to_flowers_tulipmania Tue, 3 Jun 2008 15:55:38 -0000 Sphemusations Music by James Butt, f.i.a.l., I created this site to continue the work of publishing my late father's music. While he relied on sales of sacred solos to Christian Science churches, he also wrote music for brass band, flute and guitar duo, and an opera, "The Laughter of the Gods". He was a composition pupil of both Benjamin Britten and Matyas Seiber, something very evident in the quality of his http://kittybriton.multiply.com/links/item/15/Sphemusations Sat, 31 May 2008 23:22:00 -0000