Richard asks the following.
1.What is the ideal length of a piece of string?
2.Which is better - architecture or archaeology?
3.Have you ever been really truly scared (and I don't mean at a film, or some such thing, I mean in Real Life)?
4.Can you identify the species of a tree by sight?
5.What is the best use of blackberries - pie or jam?
I have just realised that I answered number 3 when answering Lori's question.
The ideal length of a piece of string is the right length. It's not something I've ever really worried about. I don't think that I even have any string in the house. Lots of wool - I used to knit a lot. Lots of garden twine. Even a spare length of washing line cord. But string - no. I mean, come on, when was the last time you used string.
The architecture/archaeology question is a fascinating one. As, indeed is the use of the word 'better'. What is more important for society? Body or soul? And which is which. Archaeology is important, because it tells us where we come from in a very existential way, and also teaches us for practical everyday life. It helps us understand how we used to live and how we live now. I believe that to understand is important.
Architecture is absolutely about the practicalities of life nowadays. We could live satisfactorily in functional boxes - although even they need an element of design. But real architecture is fascinating. It's the most accessible, public form of art. I love the new innovative designs I see springing up in London (and elsewhere, but I don't go to elsewhere very often).
What's even more exciting is the creative functionality. There is more understanding about accessibility in buildings, more drive to develop buildings with a smaller environmental footprint, and more understanding of how buildings should be an integral part of the community - check out the sites of the RIBA award winners - Public; Commercial; Education and Domestic. I think my enthusiastic linking shows which I find more interesting.
Ask me that five years ago, and I would have said that archaeology is really interesting and architecture is boring. Partly working for Southwark, a Borough enthusiastic about building-led regeneration, and partly blogging/using a digicam, I have woken up to the endlessly fascinating buildings around me.
Graybo, look away! I am, however, completely useless at recognising trees. and flowers for that matter. I find it embarrassing when posting photos to my phlog and having to say "Er, it's a 
." I actually bought a book for £4.99 which calls itself an Encyclopaedia of Garden Plants and Flowers. 245 pages list flowers and trees alphabetically. For example, pp 158-9 has about one hundred words on each of Liriodendron (tulip tree) and seven others through to Lobelia. There are fourteen full - and rich - colour photos, ranging from the size of my thumb to the size of my albeit small hand.
Blackberries? Er, what are they? Seriously, I'm fairly indifferent to blackberry jam, but I do really like Blackberry pie. Actually, I was very partial to apple-and-blackberry pie as made with "Pie Filling" from a supermarket back in the Eighties. I almost never make pies these days. Perhaps I should make some jam in the autumn...
