Reading etc.

As I seem to spend a lot of time in the car and my books on tape are all finished, I was listening to the World Service again the other day (I know, it’s like a terrible affliction). There was a programme on blogging. I particularly liked this comment:

“The artist Andy Warhol believed that everyone would be famous for fifteen minutes, but now – say the wits – with a weblog everyone can be famous to at least fifteen people.”

Quite.

And I finished “The Dante Club”. And it is brutally disappointing. In my heart of hearts, I know it is going to be made a huge Hollywood blockbuster, just to spite me. Like bloody “Cold Mountain”.

And finally, from this week’s London Review of Books:

“Summer, 1974. Everybody was kung fu fighting.  Not me, I was revising the sociology of Paulo Freire.  Who’s laughing now, sixth-formers of Sherbourne Fields School, Coundon?  Mortgage-free M and perennial Friends Reunited outcast.  Box no. 06/06”

Just polished off the following 3, b’day pres from sister in law the publishing exec:

“Jude the Obscure” by Thomas Hardy – could this be more depressing?

“Jamaica Inn” by Daphne Du Maurier – enthusiastic review elsewhere

“The Mill on the Floss” by George Eliot – have a bit of difficulty with George Eliot, I did “Silas Marner” for the Leaving and frankly, learning that maudlin, depressing tome in detail when I was 17 put me right off George Eliot.  However, I met a guy at a party who convinced me that I had misjudged her and had to read “Middlemarch” which, he said was fantastic. I did and I didn’t like it much: So, I approached “The Mill on the Floss” with some trepidation. It is beautifully written (or, abridged, given that I heard it on tape) and I did actually enjoy it, but it was a bit depressing. Should I try further George Eliot? I just don’t know.

Anyway, after the “Mill on the Floss” finished, I tuned into the World Service and there was an interview with Tracey Emin which was mildly interesting as the Glam Potter knew her at college. She, Tracey Emin, was on a programme called “Masterpiece”. If I were the GP, I think I would die of envy, but she is a better person than me, so doubtless will bear it with equanimity. Is most unfair though because, if you ask me, GP is infinitely more talented.

And finally, read a mildly amusing book called “Mortification: Writers’ stories of their public shame“. The motto appears to be, if you are a writer, avoid book readings. I gather from this book, that everyone else avoids them anyway and must confess, I have never been to one myself.

And, finally, on things cultural, due to my contacts in the diplomatic underworld, I have managed to get various Irish Presidency goodies, including 2 CDs containing, allegedly, the best of up and coming Irish music.  Frankly, not as restful as you might expect…but not bad either. If anyone is interested, I might be bothered to list some of the 32 offerings that it is felt represent the best of new Irish music, since, as far as I can see, they don’t rate a mention on the Pres website.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I have a crisis.  I didn’t read the rules on sweeties. I thought that you got a new supply every week. Was wondering why I hadn’t got any new ones and read the rules.  I have nothing at all interesting or sweetie worthy to post, so am sweetie bereft.  Can you get sweeties on credit?

Yours in anxious anticipation,

BW

(Jojo, wouldn’t it be a good idea to give everyone a couple every week, go on, please…)

Thierry made me do it.

Instructions:
1.Grab the nearest book.

2. Open the book to page 23.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.

=========

Il y a l’amour bien sûr.  Et puis il y a la vie son ennemie.

“Ardèle” Jean Anouilh

No, I’Â’m not really reading a French playwright.  It’Â’s just that the “Oxford Dictionary of Quotations” was the nearest book to hand.

A bitter disappointment, I can tell you.  By Michael Frayn.  Nominated for all kinds of things. About art history and Belgium, both of which rank high among my areas of interest. But no, not entertaining.  Narrator is dull and unconvincing and extremely annoying. Having much better fun with “Jude the Obscure” on tape.  Odd, but true.

And the LRB has arrived again. This week’s small ad winner is for the boys:

“You may be a sharp dresser, you may be a fantastic dancer, you may be a lively conversationalist. Or you may be a vo-coded stalking eighties moron. Whichever way, I’ll take you. Woman, 37, seeks…well, just seeks. Box no. 07/03”.

Finally, went to the Khnopff exhibition.  Frankly, not for me. I don’t even like Klimt much and he’s a lot better (a symbolist too, apparently). Khnopff’s big inspiration was his sister Marguerite. Marguerite had a big chin. All of Khnopff’s paintings feature women with big chins. A little creepy, if you ask me. “Desperate Dan in a dress” is the view of the Glam Potter.