All I want for Christmas is.... a Daily Llama

Amongst all the cutesy toy llamas I've seen on the Internet (why do they appeal so powerfully to crocheters??), I thought this little wooden sculpture was the classiest. And apparently it has a concealed compartment, so that you can store your Mary Jane inside it. Nice.

Happy holidays, everyone!

Hitler vs. The Daily Llama

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon Youtube user TheSilverUniverse, who has created a number of amusing short videos by splicing together bits of Downfall (what a genre that has become!!), including an improbable Raiders of the Lost Ark-style series called Hitler's Llama Priest. Here's Episode 1.

Seasonal Daily Llamas

Well, we haven't had one in a while. And this did seem particularly appropriate to the recent weather in Beijing.

Llamas on Mars

Hmm, that could be a band name...

A dry-stone wall Daily Llama

Why does this remind me so much of trying to apply for a Chinese visa...?

A seasonal Daily Llama

This is, I think, somewhere in China's chilly north-east. It might be Harbin...

An anniversary Daily Llama

The Daily Llama feature was one of my later inventions on the blog, not making its debut until 2008, when, in the wake of the Tibetan riots that spring, any mention of the Dalai Lama was likely to provoke unwanted 'special attention' from the Kafka Boys; a friend suggested I could use this visual pun as a facetious provocation to  our control-freak government here and its daft Net censorship regime.

This example of the species looks particularly pleased with himself, doesn't he? And with good reason. I would be if I lived there.

Say it in llama

• t
• h
• e

• d
• a
• l
• a
• i

• l
• a
• m
• a

• i
• s

• r
• e
• a
• l
• l
• y

• a

• v
• e
• r
• y

• n
• i
• c
• e

• c
• h
• a
• p
• .

A number of friends - knowing my llama-fetish (and, indeed, my Lama-fetish) - have sent me notes about this Llama Font site recently. Hours of fun. Days of procrastination.

Inscrutable llamas

This website on the care of llamas provides the following guide to interpreting a llama's mood. It seems to be mostly in the ears, no?

The real-life example below demonstrates that reading llamas' expressions is not as straightforward as the diagram would have you believe. I think I'd categorise the animals below as - smug, imperious, and about to hawk up a loogie.

I try to aim for an alert/curious but at the same time relaxed state myself. I'm not sure what I should be doing with my ears.

Oirish llamas!!

Well, who would have thought it? I only tried Googling "St Patrick's Day llamas" in a moment of idle jest, scarcely imagining that I'd turn up this....

... and this....

... and this...

However, the most intriguing discovery from this half-hour wasted on the Net this morning (access from China is SLOW at the moment) was that there are at least 10 people called Patrick Llamas in Southern California. Not surprising, really, just intriguing.

[PS   I just posted a little musical treat for Paddy's Day over on The Barstool.]

A Christmas Daily Llama

Season's Greetings 
to all my readers (such few as remain)!!  

Here's hoping 2011 has some better things in store for all of us.

Joe Camel was a llama

Don't underestimate the Daily Llama

Just because they're small and cute doesn't mean they can't take you down. Oh no. You don't want to mess with a llama.

This unlikely sporting scene put me in mind of the inspiring religious tableau below, which I first featured on here a couple of years ago.

Time for another Daily Llama

A summery one for you....

Beginning of the month Daily Llama(s)

What are you looking at?

Time for another Daily Llama

The poor chap surely can't see where he's going? (Metaphor alert! Oh boy, do I know that feeling....)

A particularly "Aw, cute!" Daily Llama

[Thanks to Moonrat and her Mischief for this one, via this picture blog.]

A Daily Llama with my haircut

I am reaching a crisis point with my hair.... Am I ready, like Patrick Stewart, to baldly go...?

A Daily Llama for the New Year

Are you inspired by the great vistas of possibility spread out before you?

Or do you just think, "It's a long way down!"?

A Christmas Daily Llama

The Daily Llama in a Santa Hat! Well, as near as I could find. [I understand his health isn't great at the moment. I wish him a swift recuperation, and many more years of life.]

And who is that rather gorgeous lady beside him? A Christmas quiz for you!