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14 October 2004
Definitive results of the final Kerry/Bush debate
Yeah, yeah. We've all seen the polling results; the consensus seems to be that Kerry took this one, albeit narrowly.
But if you want the real dope, you have to talk to a real macher. Here is the authoritative judgement of the candidates' debate performance. (Though one has to question the methodology of a poll that gives the Red Sox 60%; can Chris Brooke be a Conspiracy Member?)
Posted by Mrs Tilton at 11:33 AM | Permalink
Comments
Sorry, Mrs. T., this is an arachnoid infiltrator. I don't give a flying fig for Bush/Kelly because it is perfectly obvious that Bush will win, and probably handsomely.
What I would like to know in your next spider post, if you would be so kind, is the name and nature of a little (-1/2"), chocolate brown spider in my garden (in Dorset) which appeared to have *scales* on its back with a white cross?
I have never seen a scaley spider before and can only thank your God that it was very titchy!
Posted by: David Duff at 18 Oct 2004 18:55:04
As for Bush/Kerry, well, we shall see.
But as for your spider - dunno, could be anything. Spiders don't have scales, of course, but most are rather hairy, and on some spiders the hairs can look like scales (sometimes metallic scales).
The 'white cross' sounds like our old friend Araneus diadematus. Though usually honey-coloured they can be chocolatey brown, even verging on black. The pattern of hairs could, I suppose, be thought sort opf scale-like. The males are smaller than females (not just in absolute size; their bellies are proportionately smaller as well) and, though it's just my subjective impression, I have often thought they tend to be a bit darker than females. Take a close look at the thing. If it appears to be wearing tiny boxing gloves on its palps (these are the 'mini-legs' just afore the first pair of 'real' legs), it's a boy.
Wouldn't have a piccy, would you?
BTW, where are you in Dorset? For some odd reason many of the leading lights of the British Arachnological Society live in and around Bournemouth. Maybe you could bring your wee lovely in a little jar to the next local spiderologists' beano and they could ID it for you.
I used to spend a bit of time out near Bridport. I recall a lovely bit of shoreline at Chideock, but I've heard there's an atrocious caravan colony there now.
Posted by: Mrs Tilton at 18 Oct 2004 20:49:18
My wife, a much more reliable witness than me, remarked on the 'scales' that covered its back, but the white cross was very clear and went almost from one end to the other, and from side to side. I know you mentioned such a cross on the spider I asked about last time, but they have rather fat little bodies, whereas this one seemd more, well, squat. Oh dear, I'm not doing very well at the description. I shall look again tomorrow and like PC Plod, try and come up with further and better particulars. Photos are out, completely beyond my technical prowess - I mean, I can take them but sending them over the net.....
I live near Sherborne, so too far away from your spider-luvin' fraternity. Anyway, like the vicar's daughter (in another context) I might like the look of it, but "you don't expect me to handle the beastly thing, do you?"
Going from Weymouth to Bridport along the coast road, just before Bridport, you pass through a village called Barton Bradstock with a little road down to the beach and a superb beach cafe. Should you ever return, I recommend a brisk walk along the coast path and back (avoiding the man-eating spiders), and a lunch of fresh crab sandwiches and a bottle of chilled Chilean in the cafe. It's always the simple things isn't it....?
Posted by: David Duff at 18 Oct 2004 21:31:11
