TimeOut

Here is the second installment in my regularly irregular series of Australian Aboriginal art and artifacts. [ Fire sticks can be found by clicking here .] This artifact is a spear thrower or woomera. The word woomera originated amongst Aboriginal groups...  

Your woomera seems like a nicely crafted decorative piece but have you thrown one? -MW

Hi Ming, Yes I have used one, and even after some lessons it is not as easy as it looks. The best I could do was manage not to put a spear in my foot! This woomera is nearly 1 meter long and you need strong wrists to achieve the flipping action. I will po...  

Very interesting artifacts Btw currently up in nt/wa. Saw an interesting movie called "contact" -not with Jodie foster. About the first contact with aboriginals in aw after the launch of the woomera rocket in 1964 called blue streak Also saw really good p... 

Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Truly amazing that there was still first contact happening in the 1960's, and true to form the 'white men' didn't look after them too well. Also demonstrated what a big area central Australia is. http://www.youtube.... 

I always enjoy seeing your unusual collections, Andrew! I thought fondly of you recently when I went to Portland and drank excellent Stumptown coffee! :-) *hugs* Daos

Did you enjoy the coffee? Along with Intelligentsia, Stumptown is very important in the US coffee scene. Really pushing the idea of coffee as an artisanal product like wine, and promoting the importance of growers. I would love to visit its home in Portla... 

...like you, Jed, and others. Portland is full of "coffee heads." Honestly, it seemed like everywhere you turned a sign read, "Espresso and _____" (e.g. "espresso and car wash," "espresso and vintage books"). :-) There is no coffee shortage in Portland! C...