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Bill Turkel has written a thought provoking post at Digital History Hacks calling for a re-conception of how we ‘do’ history. He summarizes his understanding of the conventional process involving measured, concrete steps, that unfortunately presuppose that time essentially stands still as we practise our craft. Here I learn about Parmenides. Turkel proposes a radical new model that accounts, not only for the aspect of continual change, but to my mind also suggests that the future of our practise is in greater real-time collective research products. I would normally point directly at a notable post, but this one warranted particular acknowledgement in hope that you will check it out. Great points to ponder.

I just discovered at the HNN that George Macdonald Fraser, author of the acclaimed Flashman series of historical fiction novel, passed away yesterday. His ribald contributions to a true appreciation of the nuances of Victorian military and social history will be missed. I have always looked forward to the next installment of the Flashman papers. The obits remind that he was author, journalist and screenwriter. When Octopussy with Roger Moore as James Bond came out I remember thinking that it had a rather different feel than other bonds. The Indian scenes were exotic and there even seemed to be a different pace. Shortly thereafter I found out that Fraser had done the screen play and I should have sensed the familiar had at work.
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Atzinger Gästhaus - 12 December 2007 - 14:00
I happened across some notes I jotted down while enjoying some wonderful pork stew at this little restaurant.
Munich is rather wet this year. It is a bit of a dampener - literally. The thing about this place though is the wonderful bustle. There’s people out and about. Certainly at the times of day that I am. It’s not crazy crowded - that would bother me a tad - it’s what I would describe as comfortably kinetic and a very diverse crowd. I am in the university area of Schwabbing today and there is a very discernible undergrad aged presence, but not overwhelmingly so. There always seems to be a younger component about, but it tends to be younger than university age in the core. There seems to be less English spoken since I was last here. Not a bad thing, merely an observation. Am finding that I am struggling with German - this also more of a struggle than a decade ago. Strangely have been mistaken for French on a number of occassions - strange. Guess it’s why my research people thought I speak Chinese with a Korean accent ;-)
The architecture in the area is a strange dichotomy of kitschy-southern German Alpine - some more ornate with stucco or francy brick pediments and towers - opposing ultra-modern glass and steel brutality. The steel always dark with a bronzy patina. The food is all so rich. How do these people stay thin???