bLOGOS/HA HA: morealphabetgrids

David Jones, artist and poet (1895-1974) begins his PREFACE TO THE ANATHEMATA :

'I have made a heap of all that I could find.' (1) So wrote Nennius, or whoever composed the introductory matter to Historia Brittonum. He speaks of an 'inward wound' which was caused by the fear that certain things dear to him 'should be like smoke dissipated'. Further, he says, 'not trusting my own learning, which is none at all, but partly from writings and monuments of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, partly from the annals of the Romans and the chronicles of the sacred fathers, Isidore, Hieronymous, Prosper, Eusebius and from the histories of the Scots and Saxons although our enemies . . . I have lispingly put together this . . . about past transactions, that [this material] might not be trodden under foot'. (2)

(1) The actual words are coacervavi omne quod inveni, and occur in Prologue 2 to the Historia.
(2) Quoted from the translation of Prologue 1. See The Works of Gildas and Nennius, J.A.Giles, London 1841.

23 July 2013

morealphabetgrids

In recent posts, we've been looking at some alphabet grids : the drunken crosswords of the bowlers at Lord's (here) and an early 20th century French meta-puzzle (here).

Then, last night we watched the final episode of Breaking Bad, season 5. Again, more alphabet grids, starting with the inspired - the lead character Walter White is a chemist - opening credits that use the periodic table of chemical elements.

Now you can be your own Breaking Bad meth lab.

Step into the Breaking Bad lab and see your name transformed with element symbols like the iconic logo itself. Then share or download your personalized periodic table name.

If the opening credits are the Alpha guide to Breaking Bad then in last night's series concluder the fate of Hector Salamanca's alphabet board was the Omega...

No spoilers here. Check it out for yourself.