Monthly Archives: April 2010

A cheerful end to a cheerful week

April 25, 2010 – 10:15 pm

I know I’m late to the party but I love this song from She and Him, and the video is excellent…

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Sketches from the edge

April 24, 2010 – 11:57 am

After the Quake
by Haruki Murakami
translated from Japanese by Jay Rubin

Murakami’s style is well suited to the short story, being sparse and slightly distant. These stories are character studies, making the most of his ability to briefly sketch a vividly real human being…

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Time to make those far-off lands distant again

April 20, 2010 – 9:07 pm

When the news first broke about the Icelandic volcano eruption causing a flight ban across much of northern Europe, I must admit that I was a little pleased about it. Great! I thought. People will turn to the alternatives (trains! boats! holidays close to home! eating locally produced food!) and discover that they’re not so bad. Of course, as the situation has continued and the news has been filled with little else, my naivety has been proven. It is of course miserable for most people affected and may continue to be miserable for some time to come…

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The most ancient words can have the strongest effect

April 17, 2010 – 6:09 pm

Stung with Love: Poems and Fragments
by Sappho
translated by Aaron Poochigian

Sappho lived from 630 until 570 BCE on the island of Lesbos and has been renowned throughout the intervening centuries as one of the greatest poets who ever lived. Sadly, little of her material has survived and what we do have is largely in fragments…

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Drunken artists and geeks altogether now

April 16, 2010 – 7:38 am

I am a little hungover this morning because last night was the preview of Flicklgraphique, an exhibition of photographs from the Bristol Flickr group, in which both myself and the talkie one were lucky enough to have a photo on show. It was a great night and the exhibition looks brilliant. I urge everyone who can to go before it ends next Wednesday…

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I can see why people study this

April 10, 2010 – 3:42 pm

As I Lay Dying
by William Faulkner

Addie Bundren is dying. Or is she dead already? Nothing is ever quite clear in this brilliant but challenging American classic. It probably helps if you are familiar with the vernacular of 1920s Mississippi. I really am not…

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My week in pictures

April 5, 2010 – 6:57 pm

High in the treetops Freeminers engraving Water power Happy birthday Dad The three of us

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Family matters

April 2, 2010 – 11:25 am

This week I have been preoccupied with family. My sister is visiting from the US for the first time in over three years so we are spending lots of time catching up, wondering whether to visit some sights or just carry on chatting. Talking is winning, partly thanks to the abysmal weather…

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