We half remember the lyrics. We stumble through the steps, and tire too soon. And then grow still. We hum tunelessly when once we sang. And fade to a hush when the sound is turned low. We read until we lose the book, or our sight dims. And recite until voices become hoarse. Rest is … Continue reading Gestures towards immortality
Stuff I Like
Filled with references to stuff I like in music, film, tv, reading, writing, online etc.
Review: Knightfall
What with my new HEMA past time, I want to love Knightfall, but so far (after two episodes), it's more like curious skepticism. I will keep watching...it's just, well. Let's get medieval on this. On the side of the Angels: Yes to sets and landscapes. Yes to castle keeps and cathedrals. Yes to swords. Yes … Continue reading Review: Knightfall
Thanking you, and you, and you
Yesterday I was complimented and I got upset. It's not that the compliment was false or ill-timed (it wasn't). But I suspect when you hear positive things praised and they don't align exactly to your own (often mistaken) inner beliefs about yourself then your internal critic is put offside. Inner critics loathe being wrong. The … Continue reading Thanking you, and you, and you
Review: Bewildering and bewonderment
I finally watched 2016's Hunt for the Wilderpeople last night. It was written and directed by Taika Waititi, whose screenplay was based on Barry Crump's novel Wild Pork and Watercress. Oh, it's a sweet film. Funny, astute, sad, and serious without schmaltz. Casting was superb with Sam Neill as Hec and Julian Dennison as Ricky Baker … Continue reading Review: Bewildering and bewonderment
Of old books & cultural synthesis
Wednesday night I attended a lecture at the State Library of Victoria by Professor Michelle P Brown, entitled Art of the Islands, Celtic, Pictish, Anglo-Saxon and Viking Visual Culture, c. 450-1050, based on her book of the same name. The evening was sponsored by Monash University Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Professor Brown is also … Continue reading Of old books & cultural synthesis
A palpable hit
Last night I had my very first German Longsword class, with Fechtschule Victoria. It was two hours of tentatively and ever so gently prodding at sparring partners in a primary school gym. Until we got more comfortable handling very real, very steel, practice swords. Slowly it became easier to tap my sparring partners on their … Continue reading A palpable hit
Over the edge of the world
Farewell and vale Ursula Le Guin. Thank you for going down a left-handed path, and showing the likes of me a way. Even if I am late, and lost, and have not yet tapped all the stories stored in the container of my imagination. Thus, I am reading, again, your essay "The Carrier Bag Theory … Continue reading Over the edge of the world
UnReview: Triennial
I've visited the National Gallery of Victoria's Triennial twice now and I can firmly say I've not experienced everything. There is so much to see some art is skipped, but on the other hand, the scale of many works means that much is simply unmissable. So yes, reclining Buddha, check. Giant skulls filling a gallery, … Continue reading UnReview: Triennial
Review: Aboria
A week ago I had never heard of it, but that's how Melbourne and my social media feeds work these days. Huge art installations appear for a month in Federation Square and we flock to them like moths to glowing bulbs, while they loom in the city-scape like dawn hot air balloons over the inner … Continue reading Review: Aboria
Review: Double the hot takes
Here's your two for one review of The Last Jedi and Twice Upon A Time Doctor Who Christmas Special. Because, to quote the classics, why can't we do both? If you think, like me, too much about these things the themes of each converge on memory, life and loss, and decisions in quiet moments that change … Continue reading Review: Double the hot takes
Writing Bec 