I see that I've only written two posts on my blog for the whole of June so I guess you've all been wondering what's become of me. Or maybe not. Anyway I'm still here in Edinburgh and looking forward to my trip to London next week to take in some talks at the Marxism Festival, meet up with my nephew Iain hopefully and see some old friends.
I'm usually reading two or three books at any one time, not together I hasten to add, maybe we could call them my daytime book and my evening/bedtime book and my other book. Sometimes my books can swap places, so my daytime book is picked up when I'm thinking it's my evening book or vice versa. This can cause serious confusion.
This must have been what happened yesterday when I'm trying to work out who this new character was who suddenly appeared in The Hours by Michael Cunningham was. I couldn't remember any mention of the character before, until I realised that I wasn't reading The Hours at all but had picked up my evening book instead. Problem solved.
I'm thoroughly enjoying The Hours, don't know why I've not read it before. Maybe something to do with Virginia Woolf, as the book was inspired by her book Mrs Dalloway. I think I will have to go back and read Mrs Dalloway now, though I suspect it was the effort of trying to read To The Lighthouse that left me with an aversion to Woolf. But must try again now that I'm older and hopefully wiser.
Will have to watch the movie of The Hours too; I think Streep won an Oscar for her performance in it or if nor was at least nominated. Missed it somehow. And speaking of awards, Cunningham won the Pulitzer Prize for the book, at a time when he was regarded by some as a gay writer. On winning the Pulitzer he said : I couldn't help noticing that I finally write a book in which no one sucks cock, and I win the Pulitzer Prize. I think maybe with tongue heavily in his cheek as it were.
I'm writing this on an iPad in the Virgin cafe. I'm thinking about buying myself an iPad, so am checking it out to see how it feels typing more than usual on the touch pad and so far so good. I reckon it should do me for my travels. So a trip to the Apple shop in Glasgow is on the cards, there not being one in Edinburgh town. Will have to decide whether to buy a Kindle as well. and yes I know the iPad has a Kindle app but I have my reasons.
Tonight I had dinner with my friend Emer and I'm home now so will finish off this post. We ate in the Abbotsford Bar, which is one of Edinburgh's finest. Worth a visit for the superb island bar, though we ate in the restaurant upstairs as the bar was so busy. Always a good sign, methinks.
On my way home I pass by the Oxfam charity shop and would you believe it they have a window display of Virginia Woolf books. Including Mrs Dalloway, so shall be paying them a visit tomorrow morning.
For those of you who don't know his reportoire "Mixed Up Confusion" is a Dylan song, from early years and on Biograph album/cd.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
President Humala visits my kids
Today I've been thinking about the working kids of Villa Maria, in Lima, not that they are often far from my mind. I keep in touch with their lives through Flor, whom I phone regularly. Good practice for my Spanish as she speaks not a word of English.
I would love to be with them today, in Lima, as they are being visited by President Humala, the recently elected president of Peru, who apparently wants to see for himself the work being done with these kids in Villa Maria. Flor is very excited needless to say, so who knows what might come of it. More funds one can but hope or more support of one sort or another.
I'm hoping Flor will be able to take some photos which I can post on here. So good luck Flor and all those brilliant kids.
Last night I went to see Jaws in the Filmhouse. The film has been digitally remastered and is better than ever. If you have only ever seen it on TV you should take this chance to see it on the big screen. It's superb, Spielberg at his best. Scary, funny and moving. Made me jump out of my seat and scream at one scene. Go see, it's a treat.
Today it's been raining heavily in Edinburgh, so been listening to James Joyce's Ulysses on BBC radio. They are broadcasting a dramatised version of it spread over today, which is Bloomsday. So happy Bloomsday to one and all, and don't worry if you missed it today, there is a podcast available for downloading at your leisure.
I hope you all saw young Welbeck's goal last night. Goal of the tournament methinks, and Walcott did pretty well too, which is nice, as he seems like a good kid.
I would love to be with them today, in Lima, as they are being visited by President Humala, the recently elected president of Peru, who apparently wants to see for himself the work being done with these kids in Villa Maria. Flor is very excited needless to say, so who knows what might come of it. More funds one can but hope or more support of one sort or another.
I'm hoping Flor will be able to take some photos which I can post on here. So good luck Flor and all those brilliant kids.
Last night I went to see Jaws in the Filmhouse. The film has been digitally remastered and is better than ever. If you have only ever seen it on TV you should take this chance to see it on the big screen. It's superb, Spielberg at his best. Scary, funny and moving. Made me jump out of my seat and scream at one scene. Go see, it's a treat.
Today it's been raining heavily in Edinburgh, so been listening to James Joyce's Ulysses on BBC radio. They are broadcasting a dramatised version of it spread over today, which is Bloomsday. So happy Bloomsday to one and all, and don't worry if you missed it today, there is a podcast available for downloading at your leisure.
I hope you all saw young Welbeck's goal last night. Goal of the tournament methinks, and Walcott did pretty well too, which is nice, as he seems like a good kid.
Gatsby
People keep reading my blog so I guess it's time I wrote another post for you all, in case you desert me. Reason for paucity of posts recently: my absence on a short five day break in Stornoway, more of which another time.
I've been re-reading The Great Gatsby this past week. I thought it was only right that I should re-read an American, having done a Russian last year. Some books just have to be read more than once, and Gatsby is definitely one of those. It's a masterpiece of the twentieth century. Every paragraph, is a gem. One of those books that has to be read slowly to savour every genius sentence.
It's a long long time since I first read it, so I'm finding things that I probably wouldn't have noticed first time round, such as the fact that Gatsby first met Daisy in Louisville, where in real life Fitzgerald met Zelda, which thirty years ago or however long it was, would have meant nothing to me, but now seems like a place I know, as my nephew Keith is now living and working there. And who incidentally got married to the lovely Trish yesterday, in Kentucky. Congratulations to you both. First wedding mentioned on my blog.
Gatsby was taken to Duluth by Cody to buy him some clothes suitable for life on his yacht. Dylan fans will know Duluth as the great man's birthplace, so quite an important place in his story. Maybe some day I will visit, or again maybe not. Time running out, in so many ways.
There's a new movie being produced just now with DiCaprio playing Gatsby. I can't imagine that he will quite match up to the Robert Redford version, but should be interesting nevertheless. He just does not have Redford stunning good looks and neither is he such a great actor, but time is on his side. If you haven't read the book you should do so before seeing the movie. No movie can ever do justice to Fitzgerald's prose.
I will finish with a quote from the old man. Have you ever tried to describe a first kiss with a loved one? Here's Gatsby (Fitzgerald) describing the first time he kissed Daisy:
He knew that when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God. So he waited, listening for a moment longer to the tuning-fork that had been struck upon a star. Then he kissed her. At his lips' touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete.
Just heart stopping, although Nick, who is telling us this story, describes it as appalling sentimentality, which seems a bit harsh. But don't you just love that bit about waiting and listening to the tuning-fork struck upon a star, before he kisses her? Read the book nice and slow and enjoy.
I've been re-reading The Great Gatsby this past week. I thought it was only right that I should re-read an American, having done a Russian last year. Some books just have to be read more than once, and Gatsby is definitely one of those. It's a masterpiece of the twentieth century. Every paragraph, is a gem. One of those books that has to be read slowly to savour every genius sentence.
It's a long long time since I first read it, so I'm finding things that I probably wouldn't have noticed first time round, such as the fact that Gatsby first met Daisy in Louisville, where in real life Fitzgerald met Zelda, which thirty years ago or however long it was, would have meant nothing to me, but now seems like a place I know, as my nephew Keith is now living and working there. And who incidentally got married to the lovely Trish yesterday, in Kentucky. Congratulations to you both. First wedding mentioned on my blog.
Gatsby was taken to Duluth by Cody to buy him some clothes suitable for life on his yacht. Dylan fans will know Duluth as the great man's birthplace, so quite an important place in his story. Maybe some day I will visit, or again maybe not. Time running out, in so many ways.
There's a new movie being produced just now with DiCaprio playing Gatsby. I can't imagine that he will quite match up to the Robert Redford version, but should be interesting nevertheless. He just does not have Redford stunning good looks and neither is he such a great actor, but time is on his side. If you haven't read the book you should do so before seeing the movie. No movie can ever do justice to Fitzgerald's prose.
I will finish with a quote from the old man. Have you ever tried to describe a first kiss with a loved one? Here's Gatsby (Fitzgerald) describing the first time he kissed Daisy:
He knew that when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God. So he waited, listening for a moment longer to the tuning-fork that had been struck upon a star. Then he kissed her. At his lips' touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete.
Just heart stopping, although Nick, who is telling us this story, describes it as appalling sentimentality, which seems a bit harsh. But don't you just love that bit about waiting and listening to the tuning-fork struck upon a star, before he kisses her? Read the book nice and slow and enjoy.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Norman Mailer's Daughter
The Chilean writer Roberto Bolano returned to Chile after an absence of 25 years, he had to leave after being arrested in Pinochet's coup, and he was at a party where, he says he was talking to another writer, of the minor variety, who, much to his astonishment told him that she was in psychoanalysis and her analyst was no other than the daughter of Norman Mailer. Why she should have been in Santiago at that time he had no idea, but he was even more astonished to learn that two of the others at the party were also undergoing analysis with her. |
" If we were in Mexico, it would make more sense: there's a tradition of outrageousness there that encompasses a sub-genre of bizarre visitors." says Bolano.
I rather like that sentence, and can just imagine Mexico being like that. If you've read The Savage Detectives you will know what he is on about. Think I must visit there some day soon.
But the idea of Mailer's daughter being there and doing therapy or whatever for these people is unreal. At the same time as Bolano was visiting Chile Pinochet himself was under arrest in London. But that's another story.
Tomorrow I'm escaping the jubilee festivities here in Edinburgh, with a wee trip north to the land of my birth: Isle of Lewis for those of you who don't know. So looking forward to that, and who knows I might even write a post from there. Or even post a nostalgic pic or two.
" If we were in Mexico, it would make more sense: there's a tradition of outrageousness there that encompasses a sub-genre of bizarre visitors." says Bolano.
I rather like that sentence, and can just imagine Mexico being like that. If you've read The Savage Detectives you will know what he is on about. Think I must visit there some day soon.
But the idea of Mailer's daughter being there and doing therapy or whatever for these people is unreal. At the same time as Bolano was visiting Chile Pinochet himself was under arrest in London. But that's another story.
Tomorrow I'm escaping the jubilee festivities here in Edinburgh, with a wee trip north to the land of my birth: Isle of Lewis for those of you who don't know. So looking forward to that, and who knows I might even write a post from there. Or even post a nostalgic pic or two.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Another joke
I was writing a story for this week's class, but ran out of time, so had to brutally kill off one of the two main characters in order to be able to hand in a completed piece to the good professor, later that night. Which was a bit of a shame as I was getting quite fond of her. But the sun was shining in Edinburgh as I wrote and just had to go out to sample it. Sunshine is such an unusual phenomenon, one feels the need to make the most of it while it lasts. Having said that the hot weather persists so maybe there was no need to kill her off after all.
My pal John, who gets first sight of my efforts, told me it was a case of sudden death, which is true in lots of ways. He didn't see it coming, which is understandable; as I didn't either. Maybe I will go back to the story and finish it off as per my original idea. But I'll see what Colin, our esteemed teacher/professor, has to say about it first.
He read out another of my efforts last week, and the class spent a good forty five minutes discussing it, constructively I thought. It's a very strange feeling listening to folk talk about you like that. I kept wondering if these people had nothing better to do with their time. But apparently not.
Recently saw The Dictator, the new Sacha Baron Cohen movie. Very funny, lots of bits in very poor taste, not to everyone's liking I would imagine, but I think he's a very funny man. Simon Hoggart liked it in "hilarious film" he says.
And finally a funny one, also courtesy of Simon Hoggart. Sign seen outside a ladies toilet at Bristol Airport: "During a terminal evacuation, red lights will flash...."
My pal John, who gets first sight of my efforts, told me it was a case of sudden death, which is true in lots of ways. He didn't see it coming, which is understandable; as I didn't either. Maybe I will go back to the story and finish it off as per my original idea. But I'll see what Colin, our esteemed teacher/professor, has to say about it first.
He read out another of my efforts last week, and the class spent a good forty five minutes discussing it, constructively I thought. It's a very strange feeling listening to folk talk about you like that. I kept wondering if these people had nothing better to do with their time. But apparently not.
Recently saw The Dictator, the new Sacha Baron Cohen movie. Very funny, lots of bits in very poor taste, not to everyone's liking I would imagine, but I think he's a very funny man. Simon Hoggart liked it in "hilarious film" he says.
And finally a funny one, also courtesy of Simon Hoggart. Sign seen outside a ladies toilet at Bristol Airport: "During a terminal evacuation, red lights will flash...."
Monday, May 21, 2012
Tambien la LLuvia
I went to see this film on Saturday, Tambien la Lluvia (Even the Rain) and have to say its one of the best films I've seen in a long time. So thought I should tell you all about it as it's only on at the Filmhouse until Saturday 27th May. But if you're reading this in South America you should buy the DVD, unless you get lucky and see it in a cinema. The film is exciting, truly inspirational and deeply moving.
It was scripted by Paul Laverty, who usually works with Ken Loach, and tells the story of the making of a film about the Spanish conquest and the first native rebellion against them in South America in Bolivia in 1512. But unknown to the producer and director the local actor they choose to star as the leader of the rebellion against the Spaniards is also involved in a real life rebellion against the privatisation and takeover of their water supply by foreign capital, including a British company.
This modern day rebellion happened in Cochabamba, Bolivia in 2000 and the people won in the end. The film brilliantly manages to show how the exploitation continues 500 years after Columbus by other means.
Luis Tosar was superb as the producer and Gael Garcia Bernal was excellent too as his director. But the stand out performance was from Juan carlos Aduviri as the native rebel leader. Here's a link to the trailer and more info
http://eventherain.com/
It was scripted by Paul Laverty, who usually works with Ken Loach, and tells the story of the making of a film about the Spanish conquest and the first native rebellion against them in South America in Bolivia in 1512. But unknown to the producer and director the local actor they choose to star as the leader of the rebellion against the Spaniards is also involved in a real life rebellion against the privatisation and takeover of their water supply by foreign capital, including a British company.
This modern day rebellion happened in Cochabamba, Bolivia in 2000 and the people won in the end. The film brilliantly manages to show how the exploitation continues 500 years after Columbus by other means.
Luis Tosar was superb as the producer and Gael Garcia Bernal was excellent too as his director. But the stand out performance was from Juan carlos Aduviri as the native rebel leader. Here's a link to the trailer and more info
http://eventherain.com/
Sunday, May 20, 2012
W.G.Sebald
There are some books you read which are so brilliant the experience is almost physical, indeed orgasmic if I may say. It doesn't happen a lot but when it does it's a rare feeling; a tingling sensation. Is that what an orgasm feels like? There are a handful of authors who can do it for me, and I'm sure you will all have one or two who do it for you. Some we save for special occasions; when a good book is life's only cure. I think I'm going to rescue the semi-colon from obscurity. It's not been used much by me recently; so just to show there are no hard feelings will use it in this post. I'm sure there are rules for it's use but if so I don't remember them.
I've been reading W.G. Sebald's book Austerlitz which is as good as or maybe even better than Rings of Saturn, which I think I've mentioned before. He's one of the best authors I've ever read; his death so young was a sad loss to the world of literature. I'm sure he would have gone on to the Nobel prize had he lived. He was killed in a car crash at the age of 57 in 2001.
Austerlitz is not about the famous 19th century battle of that name, but the name of one of the two main characters in the book, the other being Sebald himself in fictional form. Austerlitz came to the UK from Prague in the Kinder transport in 1939 and ended up living with a family in Wales. The book is the story of the various meetings between the storyteller and Austerlitz and how Austerlitz recovers his story and his family story under the Nazis. It's deeply moving and a work of genius.
As a writer Sebald is unique. There is no-one else writes quite like him. There are no paragraphs or chapters in the book; the text is interspersed with grainy black and white photos which act like breaks and are incredibly effective. The book reads like a true story, which it might as well be.
I recently went to the Filmhouse to see a film called Patience (After Sebald) which is based on his book The Rings of Saturn and was made by a Grant Gee. Superb film making. I can only repeat what Mark Kermode said about it in the Guardian "great triumph.... manages to bewitch, bother and ultimately bedazzle"; "quietly extraordinary movie".
It's now available on Amazon, but I would read the book(s) first, though Kermode says he still hasn't read any Sebald; his loss obviously. I'm very happy to have got to know this writer; it's thanks to Will Self, whom I heard talking about him some time ago, and he was full of praise.
I've been reading W.G. Sebald's book Austerlitz which is as good as or maybe even better than Rings of Saturn, which I think I've mentioned before. He's one of the best authors I've ever read; his death so young was a sad loss to the world of literature. I'm sure he would have gone on to the Nobel prize had he lived. He was killed in a car crash at the age of 57 in 2001.
Austerlitz is not about the famous 19th century battle of that name, but the name of one of the two main characters in the book, the other being Sebald himself in fictional form. Austerlitz came to the UK from Prague in the Kinder transport in 1939 and ended up living with a family in Wales. The book is the story of the various meetings between the storyteller and Austerlitz and how Austerlitz recovers his story and his family story under the Nazis. It's deeply moving and a work of genius.
As a writer Sebald is unique. There is no-one else writes quite like him. There are no paragraphs or chapters in the book; the text is interspersed with grainy black and white photos which act like breaks and are incredibly effective. The book reads like a true story, which it might as well be.
I recently went to the Filmhouse to see a film called Patience (After Sebald) which is based on his book The Rings of Saturn and was made by a Grant Gee. Superb film making. I can only repeat what Mark Kermode said about it in the Guardian "great triumph.... manages to bewitch, bother and ultimately bedazzle"; "quietly extraordinary movie".
It's now available on Amazon, but I would read the book(s) first, though Kermode says he still hasn't read any Sebald; his loss obviously. I'm very happy to have got to know this writer; it's thanks to Will Self, whom I heard talking about him some time ago, and he was full of praise.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
And finally a joke.
Went to see a very good play at Lyceum Theatre on Friday, "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" by a guy called Martin McDonagh, born in London, parents Irish immigrants. The play is essentially a full frontal attack on Irish republican groups such as INLA and the Provos. It amazes me that he still lives.
Apparently he couldn't find any theatres prepared to put it on when he wrote it back in the mid nineties. It was eventually put on in 2001 in a protected performance, whatever that means. The main character is a mad psychopathic ex INLA member who has to form his own splinter group as he's too extreme in his methods for the other madmen of the time.
He loves cats though, which proves his downfall. It's a darkly comic work, very funny and superbly acted by all the cast. Emer thoroughly enjoyed it too. The only woman in the cast was a fine singer who gave us a few old republican songs, e.g. Patriot Game. The provos must have hated it. Not the song, the play. A great night out. If it comes your way go see it.
Recently saw the Marley movie, which I might have mentioned before but no harm in mentioning it again. Needless to say it was a fine movie, lots of concert film, well worth seeing and a must if you're a Marley fan. Went with my pal Leighton, who is more of a classical type, but he enjoyed it a lot, or so he told me.
Also went to see "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" which was quite an ok movie, funny in bits, and of course with our own Ewan Mcgregor in the lead role, whom I'm very fond of the boy. Love his accent, needless to say. But there's more to him than the voice. He's not the world's greatest but he's done some fine stuff over the years. Kristin Scott Thomas is terrific as government PR woman, straight out of "In the Thick of it".
I had lunch with my old friend George the other day. He reminded me of an old joke, which he says he first heard from me about 20 years ago.
Did you hear about the dyslexic, insomniac, agnostic? He lay awake all night wondering if there was a dog.
Apparently he couldn't find any theatres prepared to put it on when he wrote it back in the mid nineties. It was eventually put on in 2001 in a protected performance, whatever that means. The main character is a mad psychopathic ex INLA member who has to form his own splinter group as he's too extreme in his methods for the other madmen of the time.
He loves cats though, which proves his downfall. It's a darkly comic work, very funny and superbly acted by all the cast. Emer thoroughly enjoyed it too. The only woman in the cast was a fine singer who gave us a few old republican songs, e.g. Patriot Game. The provos must have hated it. Not the song, the play. A great night out. If it comes your way go see it.
Recently saw the Marley movie, which I might have mentioned before but no harm in mentioning it again. Needless to say it was a fine movie, lots of concert film, well worth seeing and a must if you're a Marley fan. Went with my pal Leighton, who is more of a classical type, but he enjoyed it a lot, or so he told me.
Also went to see "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" which was quite an ok movie, funny in bits, and of course with our own Ewan Mcgregor in the lead role, whom I'm very fond of the boy. Love his accent, needless to say. But there's more to him than the voice. He's not the world's greatest but he's done some fine stuff over the years. Kristin Scott Thomas is terrific as government PR woman, straight out of "In the Thick of it".
I had lunch with my old friend George the other day. He reminded me of an old joke, which he says he first heard from me about 20 years ago.
Did you hear about the dyslexic, insomniac, agnostic? He lay awake all night wondering if there was a dog.
Saturday, May 05, 2012
Sunshine on Leith
I'm writing this on a Apple pc in the Virgin Lounge in Edinburgh centre. Just wanted to try out an Apple pc and what better way than to post on my blog. The Virgin Lounge is provided free of charge by our old friend Richard Branson and an excellent facility it is too. But only for Virgin customers which I suppose is fair enough. Free coffee, newspapers, pcs and iPads for all to use. Nice views of Edinburgh and very comfy chairs. I will definitely be coming back here. Thank you Richard. But Virgin is still a funny name for a business. I remember when you first started using the name, way back in the mists of time and thinking it woud never catch on. How wrong can one be? I do think we could do without your portrait though, fine painting that it is, it does seem a bit vain don't you think.
There would appear to be some cup final taking place in London today. Don't really mind who wins today as Hibs are playing in the Scottish cup final soon against Hearts, and that's the important one, obviously. Hibs haven't won the cup for over 100 years so we will all be getting right behind them. Is it not briliant that Celtic and Rangers are not involved? Yes of course it is.
I was just thinking that Hibs fans have the best song, "Sunshine on Leith". Written by our own boys from that Scottish institution The Proclaimers. Great boys and great songs. I once sold a Socialist Worker to one of them. He used to live in my street, many years ago.
If you don't believe me about thier songs, have a wee look in youtube and I'm sure you will be convinced. There is just no other football song to compare to it. Celtic have that dirge of a hymn from Liverpool that they have purloined, and Rangers sing about some Queen they need to save, and as for Hearts, who knows what they sing.
So lets hope "Sunshine on Leith" is heard worldwide later this month. If only for my pal Emer and all the other Hibs supporters who have been kept waiting way too long for some glory. The Proclaimers have a new cd out too.
Sun is shining on Edinburgh/Leith so better go and enjoy it while it lasts. Apple pc is rather cool. Maybe need to buy one? What as well as an iPad? Madness!
There would appear to be some cup final taking place in London today. Don't really mind who wins today as Hibs are playing in the Scottish cup final soon against Hearts, and that's the important one, obviously. Hibs haven't won the cup for over 100 years so we will all be getting right behind them. Is it not briliant that Celtic and Rangers are not involved? Yes of course it is.
I was just thinking that Hibs fans have the best song, "Sunshine on Leith". Written by our own boys from that Scottish institution The Proclaimers. Great boys and great songs. I once sold a Socialist Worker to one of them. He used to live in my street, many years ago.
If you don't believe me about thier songs, have a wee look in youtube and I'm sure you will be convinced. There is just no other football song to compare to it. Celtic have that dirge of a hymn from Liverpool that they have purloined, and Rangers sing about some Queen they need to save, and as for Hearts, who knows what they sing.
So lets hope "Sunshine on Leith" is heard worldwide later this month. If only for my pal Emer and all the other Hibs supporters who have been kept waiting way too long for some glory. The Proclaimers have a new cd out too.
Sun is shining on Edinburgh/Leith so better go and enjoy it while it lasts. Apple pc is rather cool. Maybe need to buy one? What as well as an iPad? Madness!
Friday, May 04, 2012
"Strangely Moving"
Days are nice and long here now in Edinburgh, but why is it still so bloody cold? Should be a law against cold weather after May begins.
My creative writing class is back in full swing now, and there are a few newcomers, though already some drop outs. We started term with fifteen but only nine turned up last night. It is different to other classes I've done as you just can't hide, and if you don't do the work there is no point turning up. So I guess folk just find it too much. I think it would probably be the same for me if I was working full time. Now should that be "was working" or "were working"? Or do both suffice?
My latest effort seemed to go down well with teacher. It's called Rivals, and he described it as "strangely moving" "very well observed and realised portrait" and "dialogue was believable and effect". So am pleased with that, especially as I set out to write a story using mostly dialogue between the main characters to tell the story. But it's hard work. Very hard work, but satisfying. The hardest bit is getting the idea for the story, but once I know where it's going I'm off with it.
It's not often that Scotland produces a world champion, and in Stephen Hendry we had one of the greatest snooker players of all time, seven times champion of the world. He's announced his retirement this week, so thank you Stephen, a fine champion indeed. Though obviously not as good as Alex Hurricane Higgins, who was the best of them all, but shame about all the fags and the drink. I remember watching him win the world championship in 1982 when he beat Reardon, who had beaten him in the final a few years previously. I saw the final on a big screen in a hotel bar which belonged to Chic Murray, and whose name now fails me. I was with my pal Paul, and we were the only two in the bar supporting Alex. We very nearly got lynched. Memories indeed.
That's all for now. Must go for a coffee in Cafe Nero, and finish my book.
My creative writing class is back in full swing now, and there are a few newcomers, though already some drop outs. We started term with fifteen but only nine turned up last night. It is different to other classes I've done as you just can't hide, and if you don't do the work there is no point turning up. So I guess folk just find it too much. I think it would probably be the same for me if I was working full time. Now should that be "was working" or "were working"? Or do both suffice?
My latest effort seemed to go down well with teacher. It's called Rivals, and he described it as "strangely moving" "very well observed and realised portrait" and "dialogue was believable and effect". So am pleased with that, especially as I set out to write a story using mostly dialogue between the main characters to tell the story. But it's hard work. Very hard work, but satisfying. The hardest bit is getting the idea for the story, but once I know where it's going I'm off with it.
It's not often that Scotland produces a world champion, and in Stephen Hendry we had one of the greatest snooker players of all time, seven times champion of the world. He's announced his retirement this week, so thank you Stephen, a fine champion indeed. Though obviously not as good as Alex Hurricane Higgins, who was the best of them all, but shame about all the fags and the drink. I remember watching him win the world championship in 1982 when he beat Reardon, who had beaten him in the final a few years previously. I saw the final on a big screen in a hotel bar which belonged to Chic Murray, and whose name now fails me. I was with my pal Paul, and we were the only two in the bar supporting Alex. We very nearly got lynched. Memories indeed.
That's all for now. Must go for a coffee in Cafe Nero, and finish my book.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Day out with Ben
Last week I had the considerable pleasure of going with Ben and his dad Garry to see their team Partick Thistle FC play at Firhill Stadium in Glasgow. Thistle are one of the lesser teams in Scottish football but with a long, proud and fine history. I see from their website that their two major honours were to win the Scottish Cup in 1921, beating Glasgow Rangers at Parkhead, of all places, and then in 1971 they won the Scottish League Cup beating Celtic in the final.
I had a great time with Ben and Garry. Ben is a fine young boy, aged 7, almost 8, and it's a privelege to be in his company. Thank you Ben and Garry, too, of course. Who knows, in years to come, when I'm long gone Ben might read my blog and be reminded of the game. The result was a draw but Thistle were the better team and deserved to win, I thought.
Before the game we went for lunch to a fine cafe in Dumbarton Road, I forget the name, and then the boys took me for a walk along Byres Road, where I spent many days, and even more nights, many moons ago, or in the seventies to be precise, having fun and games and getting into various scrapes with Ben's grand dad, who just happens to be my wee brother, though not so wee, now or then.
I notice that Byres Road has it's own entry in Wikipedia, so if you want to find out more about that glorious street, thats the place to go.
Some of the old bars and cafes are still there, such as the Aragon, where drinkers used to queue in the street on a Friday and Saturday night to get in; and the Curlers up the road full of BBC staff from the studio in Queen Margaret Drive getting pissed; and Tennents Bar, where I worked for one night. And no, I was not sacked after one night, it was only a one night contract.
The University Cafe is still there down near the bottom of the street, still, presumably making the best bacon butties in Glasgow. A bacon buttie, for those of you from abraod, is a Scottish sandwich with bacon. Great for the Saturday morning hangover, not that one has these anymore, but the memory is pleasing to my senses.
Thats all for now. Tonight I'm going to see the Bob Marley movie, so really looking forward to that. It's had a very short release here in Edinburgh, one week only.
I had a great time with Ben and Garry. Ben is a fine young boy, aged 7, almost 8, and it's a privelege to be in his company. Thank you Ben and Garry, too, of course. Who knows, in years to come, when I'm long gone Ben might read my blog and be reminded of the game. The result was a draw but Thistle were the better team and deserved to win, I thought.
Before the game we went for lunch to a fine cafe in Dumbarton Road, I forget the name, and then the boys took me for a walk along Byres Road, where I spent many days, and even more nights, many moons ago, or in the seventies to be precise, having fun and games and getting into various scrapes with Ben's grand dad, who just happens to be my wee brother, though not so wee, now or then.
I notice that Byres Road has it's own entry in Wikipedia, so if you want to find out more about that glorious street, thats the place to go.
Some of the old bars and cafes are still there, such as the Aragon, where drinkers used to queue in the street on a Friday and Saturday night to get in; and the Curlers up the road full of BBC staff from the studio in Queen Margaret Drive getting pissed; and Tennents Bar, where I worked for one night. And no, I was not sacked after one night, it was only a one night contract.
The University Cafe is still there down near the bottom of the street, still, presumably making the best bacon butties in Glasgow. A bacon buttie, for those of you from abraod, is a Scottish sandwich with bacon. Great for the Saturday morning hangover, not that one has these anymore, but the memory is pleasing to my senses.
Thats all for now. Tonight I'm going to see the Bob Marley movie, so really looking forward to that. It's had a very short release here in Edinburgh, one week only.
Friday, April 13, 2012
El Sueno del Celta
When I was in Peru last year Mario Vargas Llosa had just published "El Sueno del Celta" ( The Dream of the Celt), which I'm looking forward to reading once it's available in English later this year. I don't think my Spanish is up to reading Vargas Llosa just yet, though I can make a reasonable stab at it. The book is based on the life of Roger Casement and his exposure of conditions for the people the Peruvian/Brazilian/Columbian Amazon lands under Western imperialism and of course his life in Ireland and in prison in London before his execution. It will be interesting to see what Mario has to say about it all.
W.G. Sebald also writes about Casement, amongst many other things and people in his book " The Rings of Saturn" which I may have mentioned before in a previous postings, but who deserves as many mentions as he can get. People who know about these things say he would have gone on to be awarded the Nobel Prize had he lived. Sadly he was killed in a motoring accident in 2001.
He managed to write some truly great books before he died, including one called "Austerlitz" which I'm about to read, maybe will be my next book. I bought it last week and it's on the list. I'm currently reading "Arthur and George" by Julian Barnes, which seems to be based on a true story involving our very own Conan Doyle, who is the Arthur character. Lovely little number, thanks to Emer for the present.
Sebald also writes about Conrad and his upbringing and his eventual journey to the Congo as a sailor on a Belgian ship. A trip which became the source for "Heart of Darkness". The Congo is the link to Casement who also went there and wrote a report for the British government about the conditions he found there, which were truly horrific. Ten million Africans are said to have been killed by the Europeans in what can only be desribed as an act of genocide. I don't think even Casement knew the extent of the brutality but he knew enough to know that he had to try to stop it. Of course the British government tried to suppress his report, as did the Belgians, who were the chief destroyers of that part of Africa.
It was at this time that Casement was sent off to South America. Just to get rid of him as he was a beginning to get on their nerves. They also gave him an honour, as he was awarded the CMG. another establishment ploy to silence individuals who are getting troublesome.
But they probably wished that they hadn't bothered sending him out to South America. He sent back reports on conditions in the Amazon areas of Peru, Columbia and Brazil, which were as bad if not worse than those he found in Congo. The only difference this time being that the company doing the exploitation was the Amazon Company, which was British owned and based in London. Whole tribes were wiped out of course and huge tracts of land destroyed in the search for profits.
The British government tried to silence him again by giving him another honour; he was given a knighthood and became Sir Roger. But he refused to compromise.
The rest is history as they say. He was hung by the British government for his support of the Irish republican cause. The prosecutor at his trial was an Ulster loyalist protestant called Frederick Smith, who was also the Director of Public Prosecutions. So the outcome was inevitable. And of course they used his diaries to divert attention away from all he said about the Congo, Peru, Brazil and Columbia.
W.G. Sebald also writes about Casement, amongst many other things and people in his book " The Rings of Saturn" which I may have mentioned before in a previous postings, but who deserves as many mentions as he can get. People who know about these things say he would have gone on to be awarded the Nobel Prize had he lived. Sadly he was killed in a motoring accident in 2001.
He managed to write some truly great books before he died, including one called "Austerlitz" which I'm about to read, maybe will be my next book. I bought it last week and it's on the list. I'm currently reading "Arthur and George" by Julian Barnes, which seems to be based on a true story involving our very own Conan Doyle, who is the Arthur character. Lovely little number, thanks to Emer for the present.
Sebald also writes about Conrad and his upbringing and his eventual journey to the Congo as a sailor on a Belgian ship. A trip which became the source for "Heart of Darkness". The Congo is the link to Casement who also went there and wrote a report for the British government about the conditions he found there, which were truly horrific. Ten million Africans are said to have been killed by the Europeans in what can only be desribed as an act of genocide. I don't think even Casement knew the extent of the brutality but he knew enough to know that he had to try to stop it. Of course the British government tried to suppress his report, as did the Belgians, who were the chief destroyers of that part of Africa.
It was at this time that Casement was sent off to South America. Just to get rid of him as he was a beginning to get on their nerves. They also gave him an honour, as he was awarded the CMG. another establishment ploy to silence individuals who are getting troublesome.
But they probably wished that they hadn't bothered sending him out to South America. He sent back reports on conditions in the Amazon areas of Peru, Columbia and Brazil, which were as bad if not worse than those he found in Congo. The only difference this time being that the company doing the exploitation was the Amazon Company, which was British owned and based in London. Whole tribes were wiped out of course and huge tracts of land destroyed in the search for profits.
The British government tried to silence him again by giving him another honour; he was given a knighthood and became Sir Roger. But he refused to compromise.
The rest is history as they say. He was hung by the British government for his support of the Irish republican cause. The prosecutor at his trial was an Ulster loyalist protestant called Frederick Smith, who was also the Director of Public Prosecutions. So the outcome was inevitable. And of course they used his diaries to divert attention away from all he said about the Congo, Peru, Brazil and Columbia.
Saturday, April 07, 2012
Dreams of Dylan Thomas and Stalin
I suppose it's about time I wrote another blog post for this blog. Don't know where all the time goes. I'm having a break from the writing class as it's Easter holiday at Edinburgh University. So no stories getting written either. We go back to classes in a couple of weeks.
Meantime I've started going to a Spanish conversation group with an organisation called Yackety yak. We meet in various cafes round Edinburgh, such as Henderson's and Bia Bistrot and chat. One meets all sorts and one has to be careful what one says. I offended a royalist recently. Which was nice. In retrospect. But the practice is good for me. Need to keep at it as my other class is over until September and it's so easy to forget what I've learnt up to now.
I've been reading some more Roberto Bolano recently, amongst other things. He's a Chilean writer, who died in Spain way too young. I read his book "The Savage Detectives" some time back and it's one hell of a memorable book. Highly recommended, if you have the time and I would suggest it's a good idea to find the time.
He tells about being arrested by the military in Chile in 1973 when he was 20 years old, at the time of Pinochet's coup. If I remember correctly he was held for ten days in a gym which was being used as a temporary prison at the time, as the army ran out of room in the prisons. He found some English language magazine where he read an article about the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
That night he had a dream that he saw Dylan Thomas and Stalin in a pub where the customers usually played arm wrestling, but Thomas and Stalin were having a drinking contest, with Thomas drinking whisky and Stalin drinking vodka. He doesn't say who won, but I like to think that old Dylan won. He doesn't explain what the dream meant to him, or maybe he does in some other place in his writings.
I wonder if he knew Victor Jara or if he ever met him? I guess he must have done at some time. Jara was also arrested by the military in Chile in 1973. But he was less fortunate. He was a poet, singer, writer and guitarist. He was held in Santiago stadium, which I think has been renamed and is now called Victor Jara stadium, and as a special bit of torture the soldiers smashed his hands and fingers so he could no longer play guitar. But he continued to sing. They finally killed him but not before playing Russian roulettte with a gun held to his head, until finally a bullet was fired.
Many years ago my pal Iain MacDonald wrote a song about Jara which and his death in the stadium. I still have the album, though it sits unlistened to for many years as I don't have a working amp anymore. I often wonder what became of Iain? He was in the old Communist party for a while back then. I would love to see him again and see where life took him.
Thats all for now. More tomorrow.
Meantime I've started going to a Spanish conversation group with an organisation called Yackety yak. We meet in various cafes round Edinburgh, such as Henderson's and Bia Bistrot and chat. One meets all sorts and one has to be careful what one says. I offended a royalist recently. Which was nice. In retrospect. But the practice is good for me. Need to keep at it as my other class is over until September and it's so easy to forget what I've learnt up to now.
I've been reading some more Roberto Bolano recently, amongst other things. He's a Chilean writer, who died in Spain way too young. I read his book "The Savage Detectives" some time back and it's one hell of a memorable book. Highly recommended, if you have the time and I would suggest it's a good idea to find the time.
He tells about being arrested by the military in Chile in 1973 when he was 20 years old, at the time of Pinochet's coup. If I remember correctly he was held for ten days in a gym which was being used as a temporary prison at the time, as the army ran out of room in the prisons. He found some English language magazine where he read an article about the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
That night he had a dream that he saw Dylan Thomas and Stalin in a pub where the customers usually played arm wrestling, but Thomas and Stalin were having a drinking contest, with Thomas drinking whisky and Stalin drinking vodka. He doesn't say who won, but I like to think that old Dylan won. He doesn't explain what the dream meant to him, or maybe he does in some other place in his writings.
I wonder if he knew Victor Jara or if he ever met him? I guess he must have done at some time. Jara was also arrested by the military in Chile in 1973. But he was less fortunate. He was a poet, singer, writer and guitarist. He was held in Santiago stadium, which I think has been renamed and is now called Victor Jara stadium, and as a special bit of torture the soldiers smashed his hands and fingers so he could no longer play guitar. But he continued to sing. They finally killed him but not before playing Russian roulettte with a gun held to his head, until finally a bullet was fired.
Many years ago my pal Iain MacDonald wrote a song about Jara which and his death in the stadium. I still have the album, though it sits unlistened to for many years as I don't have a working amp anymore. I often wonder what became of Iain? He was in the old Communist party for a while back then. I would love to see him again and see where life took him.
Thats all for now. More tomorrow.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sixty Five Thousand or More
There have been 65,000 books published about the American Civil War since it ended in 1865, which is more than one a day, at the last count, and still rising. The War ended at a place called Appomattox in Virginia in case you ever wondered, when Lee surrendered to Grant. How many Americans have ever heard of it? I'm told not many, but maybe my sources are dodgy.
Lord knows who reads all these books, someone must or they wouldn't be published I guess. So if you are planning to write one beware of the competition.
One of the best, if not the best, not that I've read the other 64,999, is a book called "The March" by E.L. Doctorow, which is a great read, and highly recommended. It follows Sherman's march through the South to the sea, which involved a fair bit of pillaging and destruction as they went along as well as a few mighty battles with the Confederates. The song "Marching through Georgia" will never seem the same.
Whole cities were burnt and ransacked and the army got bigger and bigger as the freed black slaves and refugees followed along. Anyone with an interest in the history of the Civil War should read this book and if you're not you should read in anyway because it's beautifuuly written and a great story. Powerful stuff.
I didn't know until some time after I'd read the book that he had used Sherman's journals and diaries more or less verbatim in his account of the march. He takes you right in there into his psyche. Or so it seems.
I hope you all like reading about the books I read. I know some people must as there are still qiite a few readers around. I seem to have picked up a reader(s) in Honduras, Austria, Columbia and Greece, which is nice. Wish I knew who you all are.
Not much has happened this past week in Edinburgh. Teacher read out another of my stories last week, very strange feeling. I think I wrote my best one this week so am keen to see what he has to say about it. Though I don't think I'll be giving up the job anytime soon. Well at least not before next year.
Lord knows who reads all these books, someone must or they wouldn't be published I guess. So if you are planning to write one beware of the competition.
One of the best, if not the best, not that I've read the other 64,999, is a book called "The March" by E.L. Doctorow, which is a great read, and highly recommended. It follows Sherman's march through the South to the sea, which involved a fair bit of pillaging and destruction as they went along as well as a few mighty battles with the Confederates. The song "Marching through Georgia" will never seem the same.
Whole cities were burnt and ransacked and the army got bigger and bigger as the freed black slaves and refugees followed along. Anyone with an interest in the history of the Civil War should read this book and if you're not you should read in anyway because it's beautifuuly written and a great story. Powerful stuff.
I didn't know until some time after I'd read the book that he had used Sherman's journals and diaries more or less verbatim in his account of the march. He takes you right in there into his psyche. Or so it seems.
I hope you all like reading about the books I read. I know some people must as there are still qiite a few readers around. I seem to have picked up a reader(s) in Honduras, Austria, Columbia and Greece, which is nice. Wish I knew who you all are.
Not much has happened this past week in Edinburgh. Teacher read out another of my stories last week, very strange feeling. I think I wrote my best one this week so am keen to see what he has to say about it. Though I don't think I'll be giving up the job anytime soon. Well at least not before next year.
Saturday, March 03, 2012
Explico Algunas Cosas
This week I've been reading W.G. Sebald's book "The Rings of Saturn" which is a very fine book indeed. Difficult to describe but definitely worth seeking out. Originally published in German so probably now available in lots of languages. It's about a journey he made round the coast of East Anglia where he lived for twenty or more years. It's part fiction, part autobiography, part history, and reflections on imperialism and life in general. Very well written in translation.
Am also reading Alice Munro's book " The View from Castle Rock". The Castle Rock in question being Edinburgh Castle. She's known for her short stories which I recommend but this is more of a family memoir. Though I've only just begun it I know I'm going to enjoy it. She is distantly related to James Hogg, who wrote "Confessions of a Justified Sinner" and was also known as the Ettrick Shepherd, because that's where he came from and he was a shepherd as well as a poet and novelist. Alice Munro's family came from the same part of Scotland before they left for USA and Canada, in nineteenth century.
I'm reading The Essential Neruda, Selected Poems in Spanish with English translation, side by side. A fine book indeed. Reminds me a bit of Sorley Maclean in fact. He spent time in Spain, knew Lorca and joined the Republican movement.His poem "Explico Algunas Cosas" ( I explain some things) is based on his experience there.
"banditos con frailes negros bendiciendo
venian por el cielo a matar ninos,
y por las calles la sangre de los ninos
corria simplemente, como sangre de ninos."
That's it for today. Neruda is worth reading in the original Spanish if you can or in English translation. Go for it...
Am also reading Alice Munro's book " The View from Castle Rock". The Castle Rock in question being Edinburgh Castle. She's known for her short stories which I recommend but this is more of a family memoir. Though I've only just begun it I know I'm going to enjoy it. She is distantly related to James Hogg, who wrote "Confessions of a Justified Sinner" and was also known as the Ettrick Shepherd, because that's where he came from and he was a shepherd as well as a poet and novelist. Alice Munro's family came from the same part of Scotland before they left for USA and Canada, in nineteenth century.
I'm reading The Essential Neruda, Selected Poems in Spanish with English translation, side by side. A fine book indeed. Reminds me a bit of Sorley Maclean in fact. He spent time in Spain, knew Lorca and joined the Republican movement.His poem "Explico Algunas Cosas" ( I explain some things) is based on his experience there.
"banditos con frailes negros bendiciendo
venian por el cielo a matar ninos,
y por las calles la sangre de los ninos
corria simplemente, como sangre de ninos."
That's it for today. Neruda is worth reading in the original Spanish if you can or in English translation. Go for it...
Dylan in Princes Street
Yesterday as I looked out my kitchen window it was raining in Morningside yet when I walked through to my bedroom, not a long walk I should add and looked the window there it wasn't raining. Which was strangely satisfying if not very interesting. I suppose the rain has to stop somewhere and as well to stop over my building as anywhere else. This morning The Pentland Hills were all covered in mist which has now cleared and the hills are looking fine as usual. I often think how lucky I am to have that view from my apartment, and to have been enjoying it for all these years. To have shared the view over the years has been fine too, but now it's all mine.
Am listening to the fine Janice Forsyth on the radio as has been my delight on a Saturday morning for a good few years now. She is my favourite presenter on the old BBC. She has a fine taste in music and does some great interviews. Now the bosses at the BBC have announced that they will be scraping her prog in the summer to make way for more sport and news, as if we don't have enough already. Let's hope they come to their senses and leave Janice alone.
I've been busy writing my short stories so not much time for my blog recently. It takes a long time to write a story and teacher has us doing one a week. Just like being back at school except it's not really, if you know what I mean, Even less time for housework, which is a bit of a bugger or a pleasure, depending on how you look at it.
Yesterday I went to the recently renovated Scottish National Portrait Gallery with my young friend Fiona, whom I've known for far too long to be mentioned here, but thanks for reminding me Fiona. And what a brilliant job the renovators have done. It's now a superb gallery, to add to all the other galleries and museums we have here in Edinburgh. If you haven't been yet it's definitely worth a few hours of your time. I will have to go back as there is so much to see.
There's a special exhibition called The War at Sea which is all about the First World War as seen by Sir John Lavery,who was a kind of official war painter. All the paintings are from the area around Firth of Forth and North Sea. Mostly of sea battles and preparations for battles and defences. The paintings are on loan from The Imperial War Museum so won't be there for long. I recommend you see it, it's educational and surprising in many ways and the paintings are brilliant.
This is longer than it was meant to be but I must mention a video which they are also showing at The Potrait Gallery. It's called "Eriskay, a Poem of Remote Lives", which was made by Werner Kissling and is the first film to be made with a Gaelic soundtrack. Hugely nostalgic for me. The film can be found on the Scottish Screen Archive website if anyone is interested.
Finally imagine my pleasant surprise to see a photo of Bob Dylan, taken in Princes Street in 1966, when he was on tour that year and played Edinburgh. I think my big brother saw him on that tour, but of course as he didn't play in Stornoway I missed him that time round. Bob is looking good as usual, and so very young and handsome. He adds something special to Princes Street, genius I think it's called.
Am listening to the fine Janice Forsyth on the radio as has been my delight on a Saturday morning for a good few years now. She is my favourite presenter on the old BBC. She has a fine taste in music and does some great interviews. Now the bosses at the BBC have announced that they will be scraping her prog in the summer to make way for more sport and news, as if we don't have enough already. Let's hope they come to their senses and leave Janice alone.
I've been busy writing my short stories so not much time for my blog recently. It takes a long time to write a story and teacher has us doing one a week. Just like being back at school except it's not really, if you know what I mean, Even less time for housework, which is a bit of a bugger or a pleasure, depending on how you look at it.
Yesterday I went to the recently renovated Scottish National Portrait Gallery with my young friend Fiona, whom I've known for far too long to be mentioned here, but thanks for reminding me Fiona. And what a brilliant job the renovators have done. It's now a superb gallery, to add to all the other galleries and museums we have here in Edinburgh. If you haven't been yet it's definitely worth a few hours of your time. I will have to go back as there is so much to see.
There's a special exhibition called The War at Sea which is all about the First World War as seen by Sir John Lavery,who was a kind of official war painter. All the paintings are from the area around Firth of Forth and North Sea. Mostly of sea battles and preparations for battles and defences. The paintings are on loan from The Imperial War Museum so won't be there for long. I recommend you see it, it's educational and surprising in many ways and the paintings are brilliant.
This is longer than it was meant to be but I must mention a video which they are also showing at The Potrait Gallery. It's called "Eriskay, a Poem of Remote Lives", which was made by Werner Kissling and is the first film to be made with a Gaelic soundtrack. Hugely nostalgic for me. The film can be found on the Scottish Screen Archive website if anyone is interested.
Finally imagine my pleasant surprise to see a photo of Bob Dylan, taken in Princes Street in 1966, when he was on tour that year and played Edinburgh. I think my big brother saw him on that tour, but of course as he didn't play in Stornoway I missed him that time round. Bob is looking good as usual, and so very young and handsome. He adds something special to Princes Street, genius I think it's called.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
A Short Story experience
Last week I had a short story of mine read out in public at a creative writing class I go to at Edinburgh University. This is a first for me. I've been attending the class since the beginning of the year and these were the first efforts our teacher had asked us to complete. He told us to be prepared to have it read out to the class, but I was just not expecting him to choose my humble little effort.
The first couple of weeks we did various different exercises building up to our first completed short story two weeks ago. He aims for a story a week, which is hard going I can tell you.
Having my story read out in public was a weird, strange, exciting, incredible experience. I can't really begin to explain how it felt. When I realised it was my story I just wanted to flea the room. But then thought oh well what the hell just got to go with the flow.
Our teacher used to be with the 7:84 Theatre Company and is now lecturer in drama, so he knows how to do a public reading , which I think kind of helped. As he was reading it I kept thinking to myself did I really write this stuff?
Anyway I don't think it's a great story by any means and as he read it I thought that there were a few things I would change. But I don't think I will, as it's my first effort and I reckon it should be left the way it is.
The teacher, Colin, wrote some constructive comments, and says it's a very good first effort. But I reckon he says that to all the boys, and girls, of course.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The End
To The Traverse Theatre on Saturday night to see The End which is based on Beckett story of the same name.
It was one of those theatre experiences that just sears into the brain to stay there forever. Totally unforgettable. I've seen lots of Beckett but I reckon this was just about the best I have had the privilege of seeing. Wish my wee brother had been there, as we've seen a few Becketts together over the years.
It's a one man performance, by an actor chappie called Conor Lovett. And he was immense. He made it sound as if he was making it all up as he went along. Perfect timing. As if he was struggling to find the right words. Simply incredible. I have never seen anything like it before. You just had no sense of him having done this before or told the same story before or indeed that he was acting.
A magical performance. Totally believable. Lovett is just superb. I could hardly breathe half the time as I watched him seemingly struggle for the next bit he wanted to tell us. And of course he had Beckett's dark sense of humour to help him along. It was very funny in parts and of course deeply tragic.
I just can't praise Conor Lovett enough. I spoke to him in the bar afterwards as he was on his own for a bit. He lives in France with his wife, who directs him. He was telling me that there is a Beckett festival in Cork, Ireland on St Patrick's day, 17th March, when he is doing Molloy, Malone Dies and The Unnameable over 200 minutes, with two breaks. I'm very tempted to go.
If you ever get a chance to see him doing his Beckett, don't miss it. Unmissable. Satisfaction guaranteed.
It was one of those theatre experiences that just sears into the brain to stay there forever. Totally unforgettable. I've seen lots of Beckett but I reckon this was just about the best I have had the privilege of seeing. Wish my wee brother had been there, as we've seen a few Becketts together over the years.
It's a one man performance, by an actor chappie called Conor Lovett. And he was immense. He made it sound as if he was making it all up as he went along. Perfect timing. As if he was struggling to find the right words. Simply incredible. I have never seen anything like it before. You just had no sense of him having done this before or told the same story before or indeed that he was acting.
A magical performance. Totally believable. Lovett is just superb. I could hardly breathe half the time as I watched him seemingly struggle for the next bit he wanted to tell us. And of course he had Beckett's dark sense of humour to help him along. It was very funny in parts and of course deeply tragic.
I just can't praise Conor Lovett enough. I spoke to him in the bar afterwards as he was on his own for a bit. He lives in France with his wife, who directs him. He was telling me that there is a Beckett festival in Cork, Ireland on St Patrick's day, 17th March, when he is doing Molloy, Malone Dies and The Unnameable over 200 minutes, with two breaks. I'm very tempted to go.
If you ever get a chance to see him doing his Beckett, don't miss it. Unmissable. Satisfaction guaranteed.
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