02/02/2010 by admin.

Our regulars will know of the significance in Charles Lamb’s journal of white/albino animals and the role of hearts in illustrating the value of Love, Art and Nature.  Well, surprise surprise there’s a white whale in Polar land China that has been trained to blow heart shaped bubbles.  Interesting…

Here’s a video of the whales blowing bubbles and doing other tricks…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCAUleX5h8A

But there’s a dark side to this. Should such majestic creatures be confined to a tank for human entertainment? You decide!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGkZSiENKIA&feature=related

Posted in Q77 Do you get bored easily?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q71 Is there something missing in your life?, Q17 Can you speak another language?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q.8 Do you crave a better life? | No Comments »

22/12/2009 by admin.

Our regulars will know how the talent contest called X-Factor has featured on our Watch due to the question posed in our opening material - do we have the X-Factor (to preserve and care for the planet, animals and its limited resources)? We’ve kept an eye on the contest for Christmas No. 1. 

Its therefore interesting that following a Facebook internet campaign, the revolutionary rap metal band ‘Rage Against The Machine’ have beaten X Factor winner Joe McElderry to top spot following an internet campaign.  The anti-establishment song is called, ‘Killing in the Name’ which is ironic as that’s exactly what the human race is slowly doing to the natural world.  So - does this mean we don’t have the X-Factor after all?

On December 20th the Facebook campaign was acknowledged by some 950,000 people including the former Beatles star, Sir Paul McCartney. In a TV interview Sir Paul said, “I like the idea of this Rage Against the Machine thing happening. I think that’s kind of interesting… it would prove a point.” The band’s guitarist Tom Morello has since claimed their success was an act of God, saying “when Mother Nature and Sir Paul McCartney agree on something its going to be unstoppable.”  Maybe that’s why Sir Paul chose to sing this at the X-Factor final….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_esOVRCDpM

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q29 Could you live without machines?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

24/11/2009 by admin.

150 years ago Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species was published.  At the time its publication was controversial yet today its seen as the foundation of evolutionary biology.  It presents evidence that the diversity of life on Earth arose through a branching pattern of evolution - termed Natural Selection.

Today also marks the 35th anniversary of the discovery of a 3.2 million years old skeleton of a hominid named ‘Lucy’ (Amharic).  Lucy also has a second name (Dinkenesh) which means ‘You are beautiful’ or ‘You are wonderful’.  The fossilised skeleton was discovered by Tom Gray and Don Johanson from Texas in a small gully near the Awash River in Ethiopia.   That evening everyone in the expedition set up camp by the discovery and celebrated by playing loudly and repeatedly a taped recording of the Beatles song, ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ afterwhich she was named - and we all know the significance of the Beatles in providing inspiration for The Haymakers Survey. 

The Lucy fossil is currently part of a six year US regional tour: Lucy’s Legacy:  History of Treasures from Ethiopia.   The tour is designed to raise awareness of human orgins. It began in September 2007 and included a film titled Lucy’s Cradle: The Birth of Wonder.  Lucy has been in New York City since this June.

Let’s wrap all this up! In our story the fossil like remain’s of a human like figure ‘Lucy’ is found connected to a ‘Web of Life’. Simples! We interpret the anniversaries and Lucy’s US tour as a clear indication that humanity is at risk if we countine to disrespect Mother Nature and put the diversity of life in jeopardy.

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q47 Do you know your history?, Q46 Do you value a good education?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q17 Can you speak another language? | No Comments »

08/11/2009 by admin.

Our regulars will know we’ve been following the fortunes of Lucie Jones on this year’s X-Factor. Sadly, we have to report that Lucie has been voted off the show at the expense of the controversial twins - John and Edward (Jeward).  Despite putting in a wonderful performance Lucie came in the bottom two in the public vote, probably because the public thought she was safe. In the sing-off she performed ‘One Moment in Time’ whilst the twins did ‘Rock DJ’. Although Lucy was far and away the better performer, Simon Cowell, the lead X-Factor mogul chose to put the decision to the public vote. Lucie had received the least votes so had to bid a tearful farewell at the expense of a couple of lads who can’t sing yet have attracted celebrity status through immense media attention.

Lucie’s eviction and the manner of it comes as no surprise to us.  “Does humanity have the X-Factor?” is a poser within our novel.  Lucie’s plight - Mother Nature in our tale - is perilious yet people assume she’ll be fine and complacency will be our downfall. Even Lucie’s final song ‘One Moment in Time’ was significant given the run up to COP15.  Will we seize that moment in time? Are we going to set Mother Nature free?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4b0uQJc6y0

A further coincidence is that Lucy Jones is also a seismologist at the US Geological Survey currently working on a multi-hazards demonstration project developing a new programme to integrate hazards science with economics and emergency response to incease community resiliency to natural disaster.  She also serves on the California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council - ominous?

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today?, Q11 Do you believe in justice?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life?, Q.5 Do you believe in fate? | No Comments »

07/11/2009 by admin.

We’re delighted to report that the British heavyweight boxer David Haye has enjoyed an incredible ‘against the odds’ truimph over the 7ft plus Russian giant, Nikolai Valuev.  The Londoner was 11 inches shorter and 7 stone lighter than his opponent. The bout went the full 12 rounds with David winning on points. He becomes the first British heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003.  The victorious boxer described his victory as a ‘dream come true’.

We see this as a message of hope in the run up to the climate change conference in Copenhagen. Why? As mentioned in an earlier posting, the boxer is nicknamed The Hayemaker!  Well our story records how the black boxer Bill Richmond, the unofficial world champion from the 18th century, participated in the Blakesware Set and was dubbed ‘The Haymaker’ by the Duke of Wellington.  Bill had a symbolic role in the direction of the Blakesware Set - take a look at the rear of our journal extract. http://www.thehaymakerssurvey.com/Journal.php  proclaiming ‘Now is the time for action, set Mother Nature free’. 

World leaders at COP 15 take note - this is Haymaker magic! As William Wordsworth says in the video, “Don’t throw away this chance” - search for the specific video  http://www.youtube.com/cop15 

Posted in Q80a Do you keep a diary?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

26/10/2009 by admin.

This year’s 12 X-Factor finalists include the very talented Lucie Jones.  At the weekend during a live performance on the show of the song ‘My Funny Valentine’ a rose coloured petal landed on her head.  During the judges comments, Simon Cowell told her she had the petal in her hair so she could remove it. 

Its another example of world events linked to the name Lucy that relate to our story.  Its a remarkable coincidence given Charles Lamb begins his journal with an account of how he would lay down a path of flowers for his beloved Lucy! (page 225).  What’s more, later in the journal Charles reveals how he receives a Valentine’s message - presumably from Lucy. (page 382).  Here’s the performance with the petal in her hair (see 3.33) on the video…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsAMrAXaEAk

Another curious link is Charles’ dream (page 444) about ‘Footprints in the sand’ and how Lucy walks barefeet along the sandbanks of the Nimley Bourne (page 408) to show that ‘humanity is out of step with nature - that we walk with heavy laboured steps.  Our curiosity is simple since ‘Footprints in the sand’ was Lucie Jones’ debut song on the X Factor.  Also, in week 2 of the show Lucie sang ‘How will I know’ which is about finding out if she is loved!  So the big question for us is do we love Mother Nature enough?

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q.8 Do you crave a better life?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

13/10/2009 by admin.

Boxing fans are licking their lips at the prospect of WBA Heavyweight Champion David Haye stepping into the ring on 7 November to take on the Russian giant Nikolai Valuev. The encounter is being dubbed David vs Goliath as the British boxer’s opponent is a towering 7ft 2in tall.

What’s this got to do with the environment and climate change? Well our readers will know all about the role played by Bill Richmond the uncrowned boxing champion who helps train Charles Lamb to develop a fighting spirit to help promote the cause.  The boxer also features in the Blakesware Set, contributing questions to the Survey.  So, its with much interest that we monitor the rise of David Haye and his next bout - David vs Goliath. We see this as symbolic of the struggle between the environmental campaigners and the opponents.  Come on the Haymakers!

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

11/10/2009 by admin.

Last night on the BBC’s AutumnWatch the presenters, Kate Humble, Chris Packham and Simon King discussed the millions of Painted Lady butterflies that invaded Britain in the Spring.  Painted Ladies are a regular summer visitor to Britain and conservationalists believe the number of Painted Lady butterflies this year was the largest seen here since the 1960s.   

Kate, Chris and Simon were curious as to what happened to them all - they seemed to have just disappeared - they’ve asked for viewers to give their views or offer clues and help solve the mystery.  Chris suggested the butterflies might be flying back to Africa at higher altitude, but he liked the fact that we don’t know for it shows we have lots to learn about Nature.

One solution might be that the butterflies arrived in such numbers to guide us to take note of another painted lady - Lucy Ebbs in the Haymakers painting by George Stubbs.  Our story reveals that she is Mother Nature personified. The butterflies mysterious departure maybe another hint that we risk letting everything precious in our natural world fade away! Malachi seems to alert us too - on page 35 he says, “the flame of a butterfly before it settles”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7W44Ljn5FA

Whatever, the arrival of the Painted Ladies are a spectacular phenomenon. Here’s a link of interest…

http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/

Posted in Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q.3 Do you have a good imagination? | No Comments »

08/10/2009 by admin.

On page 409 of our novel Charles Lamb reveals in his journal how Lucy Ebbs - Mother Nature personified - gives him an insight into the magic of the Secret Inheritance at the heart of all creation. Charles reports, “Gaia I have seen the inheritance for myself. The phenomena of the magic circle astounded me. Should the chance arise I shall share the truth with you” Lucy’s response was, “Now you know how miraculous life is… on this living planet that circles the sun, accompanied by the moon and the stars.” Charles’ account was penned on 1 May 1823.

Curious then that in Moscow people have been left mystified by a huge circular halo hovering above them. Although scientists claim this was no more than a simple cloud formation. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT2jwkCirP0&feature=related

It may well be just a simple cloud formation., but if there’s another explanation. Why Russia? Well aside from the affinity with May Day, the country features in the message on page 289 of our novel when Charles Lamb tells Lucy of Turner’s painting ‘Snow Storm: Hannibal and His Army Crossing the Alps’. He says, “The might of nature is the real subject of the painting. The message is that Napoleon should have turned back whilst he still had the chance, but he drove on and used up all his resources. It was the cruel Russian winter that turned the tide.” It implies that the cloud halo is a sign sent in kindness that we need to change our ways.

But perhaps it goes deeper than that! How about this extract from page 301 when beside the fallen tree that exhibits the web of life Lucy Ebbs tells Charles Lamb, “Humanity is the only species capable of influencing its destiny… I need you to bear witness to my deeds.”  The text then reads, My lips parted. “Charles, sh!” She put a finger to her pursed mouth. Bemused, I watched her use the long straight stick she’d found to draw a clear circle around her, dragging it in the uneven wet soil. She invited me into the circle. I hesitated. “I circle our world* with this rod, against the sore stitch, against the sore bite, against the grim dread, against the great horror that is hateful to us all, and all evil that enters this land.” 

*Caleb Hitch later recorded in his footnotes that Lucy was reciting a charm from the Lacnunga spell book - Anglo-Saxon and from the 10th century.

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q39 Do you believe in magic?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

28/09/2009 by admin.

During a performance of A Steady Rain on Broadway, Hollywood tough-guy actors Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig were called into action to respond to a member of the audience who had left his mobile phone on.  At first the X-men and 007 stars kept in character but as the ringing continued they lost patience and told the person to respond, “Do you want to get that?” The audience erupts in cheers but the ringing persists so Jackman pleads, “C’mon just turn it off.”

Our Sarah liked this very much. It reminded her of Charles Lamb’s report in his journal (The Ball of Blue in a Sea of Black -pages 429-436) of how they used Sarah’s mobile to issue a warning to humanity to try to prevent a globally warmed Earth.  She believes its a test because of the X-factor question in our opening material. Do we have what it takes to respond to the call? Don’t close your eyes - this is your life!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPl4040-Dgo

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q59 Do you like surprises?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q51 Have you ever taken part in a protest?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »