For 31 days I read from 16th- and 17th-century literature, most notably including Montaigne’s "Essais" and the metaphysical poets. Snuck in some Shakespeare.
Continue reading...Read, Watched by Ashley Vaught
Strata: William Smith’s Geological Maps
Not long ago I ordered "Strata: William Smith’s Geological Maps" lighting a fire of memory and reflection
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- 2023-05-15
- New Acquisitions On Literature, Books
April-Showered Reading, Watching
Rereading Shakespeare, Borges; then reading stories by Walter de la Mare. Re-watching two films by David Lynch—neither being “Blue Velvet” nor “Inland Empire.”
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- 2023-05-01
- Monthly Reading, Viewing Report
Discovering Robert Southwell’s Metaphysical Poetry
A few reflections on the discovery of 16th-century poet Robert Southwell, apparently an exemplar of English Metaphysical Poetry.
Continue reading...Meticulous March: Reading, Watching
Nothing that meticulous about it. Finished at least one book. Mostly underwhelming days.
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- 2023-04-02
- Monthly Reading, Viewing Report
Psychology or Demonic Influence: Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” (2018)
Ari Aster’s debut feature film Hereditary (2018) plays on the devilish ambiguity articulating the affinity between the histories of demonic influence and psychological pathology.
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- 2023-03-24
- On Film, Movies, Cinema
Fearless February 2023 Reading, Watching
The fight for my consciousness took place on the page and on the screen, through reading and viewing. Was bloody.
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- 2023-03-06
- Idle Reflections
Newly Reading/Viewing January 2023
The New Year January 2023 of reading/viewing with Stendhal’s "Charterhouse of Parma" and Hamaguchi’s 2022 film "Drive My Car"
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- 2023-02-04
- Monthly Reading, Viewing Report
G.I.Joe and “G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra” (2009): Some History
Idle reflections on the G.I.Joe action figures and comic books as formative influences of my childhood
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- 2023-01-23
- Idle Reflections Way Back
Conscientiously Reading, Watching December 2022
In December I started a new position as an SEO associate at Sagapixel. In the 45 days that have followed it seems so much like I’ve been unable to raise...
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- 2023-01-05
- Monthly Reading, Viewing Report
Cultural Consumption, 2022-Style! Best of!
The best books and films of 2022, some description thereof, as well as a few of the worst.
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- 2022-12-31
- Monthly Reading, Viewing Report
Jane Eyre: Post-Colonial Christian Zealotry?
Reading "Jane Eyre" for the second time revealed a quite different— quite Christian and not postcolonial—one from what inhabited my memory (and imagination).
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- 2022-12-26
- On Literature, Books Reading Journal
November 2022: Reading, Watching
Some transcendent moments. In reading Brontë, Borges, Sebald, Masters. Watching "The Getaway" and "Breaking Away". Others, not transcendent even a little.
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- 2022-12-03
- Monthly Reading, Viewing Report
Realism Lite: “Midnight Run” (1988)
Realism lite, how film and television suggest serious violence without actually including it, is exemplified in the 1988 buddy film “Midnight Run.”
Continue reading...Female Friends: Ryūsuke Hamaguchi’s "Happy Hour" (2015)
Three curiosities about the lovely 2015 Ryusuke Hamaguchi film about female friendship, "Happy Hour"
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- 2022-11-15
- Idle Reflections On Film, Movies, Cinema