The Plot Thickens

Here are a couple of film clips to give you an idea of what I will be analyzing. Basically, I will be having overnight connect-the-dots sessions to measure stride length, limb segment lengths, and joint angles, with several frame-by-frame bouts. Three times in each direction for each gait to determine the means of all those measurements. Wish me luck!

My Nefarious Experiment

They call me ... DOCTOR Bliss! And I really don't know why, since I'm almost as far as you can get from a doctorate. Anyway, for the final year of my BSc honours degree (Equine Sports Performance at the University of Brighton), I'm doing a project that involves putting fluorescent stickers all over baby horses and filming them. See exhibits 1 and 2 below!

Here I am with one of the foals immediately after filming.

Here is my employer with another foal, on the way to the sand school. Um ... my apologies for the strategically placed manure pile, it was the first foal's fault!

In this project, I will be analysing several aspects of the gaits of foals aged 5-7 months, and comparing them to their sires. I will have the support and assistance of my instructors and tutors at Plumpton College, and my employer at Hobgoblins Stud, in addition to several local horse owners who have kindly agreed to allow me to film their youngstock. I have completed 1/6 of the filming thus far (but who's counting?) and hope to have the rest completed by the end of December. Wish me luck!

'Staches on Parade!

I can't believe that I missed this today! Also, I can't believe that this man did not win ... though he was trounced by one of his own countrymen who appeared to have been growing sideburns from his chin. Like some weird facial comb-over. Still ... an octopus chin ... I mean, come on!

Our UK Tax Dollars Hard at Work ... Like Dogs?

I love dogs, but this is a wee bit ridiculous. If I want a wheelie bin for garden waste (picked up on an "alternate weekly" schedule), I will pay thirty-something pounds annually and wait a minimum of four to six weeks for delivery. Not to mention the fact that there are no plans as yet to increase the cost of our drastically reduced refuse pick-up service. Scary zombie, dogs, however ... well ... throw some money at them, quickly, or they might bite us and turn us all into scary zombie-werewolf things. Hey, better safe than sorry, right?

See This Movie. Now.

If you love whimsy, fantasy, and a bit of the ol' ultra-violence, go see Pan's Labyrinth. It is beautiful and brutal. Meh, if you know me, you know my taste in movies. If you like Amanda-movies, you'll love it.

Don't Drag Me Into Your Little World, Granny!

Today's Enemy No. 1 is the Little Old Lady. Or, more precisely, the little old lady with the goofy, undisciplined dog. You and your local Hell's Grannies branch meet every morning, blocking the paths of able-bodied young adults. What makes you think I appreciate you telling my dog "You tell him!" when your dog approaches her and she starts to look aggressive. Why would you put someone else in the situation of further restraining an already leashed dog? Argh! Discipline your own dog, don't make my dog do it for you!!! Especially as this crazy country already made me throw away the only collar that works to correct her...

P.S.~ Little Old Lady with the hamster-for-a-dog, you can leash yours too. It offends my eyes.

Hoops and Yoyo

Behold the genius that is "Hoops & Yoyo" and be amazed. How can you resist the cuteness? I know you like the wiggle!