A little late to the party, but as such, this provided a lovely mid-week pick-me-up rather than food for thought to start the week. I most immediately relate to the color-coded wife illustration. Not only was it charming, but since it was 80 degrees the last time I commented here, and now it's 25 degrees, I've experienced each weather condition depicted in a relatively short period. Much like Elaine! Off to buy you a coffee, Terry. Glad you included the button! :)
Thank you so much for the shout-out and recommendation, Terry! You truly salvaged the start to my week. ☺️
As for International Women’s Day (and the many other such days)-- I wish they would do away with them all. Why can’t we celebrate the accomplishments of any type of person as we see them? I don’t need a designated day.
The oulipo was so clever! Still wrapping my head around those...
Thanks for the mention. I agree there is a big difference between editing or censoring the classics and reimagining or reinterpreting them. When done with love, the latter can be a fun homage rather than an attempt to “fix” something that never asked for repair.
As far as needing a day to celebrate women, that’s about as patronizing as it gets. We’re, like, 50% of the world’s population and I think we contributed plenty to the last 300,000 years of human history, including all the humans. I don’t think we need a pat on the head for it now. They can take their consolation prize holiday and shove it. (Now I’m ornery ;-)
I don’t think we need to reinterpret books from the past. I think we can appreciate books from the past as they are and create current writing our way now. In a similar way I don’t think we need to reinterpret history; we can grasp historical concepts as they were ‘back then’ while connecting the socio-historical dots to our contemporary moment.
I think you need to add a subtitle of "...with a word you don't know" to your Start The Week.
Persiflage. Perhaps I'm in the minority not knowing this, but what a lovely word. I shall be attempting to incorporate that into my life this week.
Classic four candles. Never gets old.
edit: oh, and enjoying learning about Oulipos. Good acrostic. I'm afraid I'm playing catch up on a lot of articles and unfortunately didn't sit to read this slowly to try and puzzle it out (sorry!)
Enjoyed having to turn my laptop upside down just then, though.
As for the classics, yes, I'm all for reimaging things, too. It's not really the same given it's new, but I did like the fact that Hamilton was about American history but was told in a very modern style.
The puzzle was brilliant! And you know I must comment about the cartoon of your wife because I love your art! How you can communicate perfectly with a few lines is incredibly enjoyable.
Shantideva said, "Where would there be leather enough to cover the entire world? With just the leather of my sandals, it is as if the whole world were covered." This to me, from my limited and confused human brain, is internal freedom and could soothe many suffering souls who believe external validation is the key to peace.
Check out Mark Starlin today, Terry. The two of you are on a similar wave-length this Monday morning. You -- on the idea of making the classics more "modern". Mark -- on transcribing classic Beatles songs into Elizabethan English. Interesting this should happen on the same day! Both takes were thought-provoking.
I often wonder: are all books just re-imaginings of older books? I mean, it seems like there’s a limited number of plots but a limitless number of ways to adapt them.
As for international women’s day (or Black history month in the US) I wonder how much of a difference does it make? Or are we just virtue signaling? I’d rather we got together and wrote some laws that would help to make these holidays irrelevant.
I once read that there are only seven basic plots, so you are almost certainly correct!
We have Black History Month in the UK too. The only thing about laws is that we already have them, at least in the UK and I'm sure there must be similar in the USA. It's illegal to discriminate on the basis of age, colour or sex. From what I can see, every new law passed breaks one of these laws.
🎶And, Jillian, this from a music-writer's POV...to paraphrase: "I often wonder: Are all songs just re-imaginings of older songs? It seems like there's a limited number of notes, but a limitless number of ways to adapt them"!! I offer no answers, but I'm amazed and amused by how your query can travel so easily between art forms! Holy conundrum, Batman!🎵And, lest this goes unnoticed, your 'Stack page title even uses a form of a music term, as well.....hmmmmmm. Nice!
That's funny! I'm not sure we really have it in the US either...I assume I must have picked it up from reading too many Victorian novels...but maybe not.
As in "I don't like Mondays"? Hey, that would be an interesting article for you, Brad, albeit a bit grim; songs to do with death: like that Boom Street Rats one, based on a real school shooting (some girl shot people because she didn't like Mondays), Terry (Twinkle); Leader of the Pack -- must be a few more.
Songs about death.....Unfortunately, Terry, I'm a bit too happy-go-lucky to tackle that one. Add to that, my knee-jerk lack of class and/or appropriateness when on such topics! Not many words would be written before my world-class snark would sneak in, and it would just devolve into rank tastelessness (already my interest is piqued at this point)!!
The closest to a drawing-board position on the subject is concocting an origin story on Casper the Friendly Boy. We know so much about the dear lad's afterlife...comic books, at least one movie...I want to know about how Casper trundled through this mortal coil...and, possibly begin an investigation into why so little has been written about this obviously benevolent pre-adolescent! It's like, "He flies....we get it!"👻🧢But, was he kind to his mother?
Oops, a Boomtown Rats reference: You get to be the only one to hear I met Master Geldof in 1978, during his Houston stop on the Rats tour, at the Texas Opry House! Shhh, don't tell anyone!
P.S. If it's death you want, check out 1970's "Timothy" by The Buoys, a song written by one of my all-time faves (I'll write about him eventually....although I'll ignore his "Pinada Colada Song," which I abhor, and is nowhere near his best), Rupert Holmes. Before you listen to the song, have a knife and fork handy! Yum!
To be honest, Brad, I didn't think you'd want to delve into that subject. Also, I have a pretty grim sense of humour that not everyone appreciates. Not sure I want to listen to Timothy if I need a knife and fork for it!
Yeah, you're right about Casper. I always had my doubts anyway: I mean, what's the point of being a ghost if you're going to be friendly? Give me the Canterville Ghost any day.
I heard Sir Bob speak at an event called the World Education Forum, attended by education ministers from around the world. Some of what he said, in between the swearing, made sense.
I interviewed him in 2017 at an ed tech show in London. He was pretty gracious and impressive. I asked him if he'd like to see my questions first, and he very pithily assured me that it was unnecessary.
Impressive Geldof anecdote! Certainly beats mine! From the same Houston venue (Texas Opry House), just weeks apart from my brief Geldof meeting, I drove Tom Robinson--in my car--to a friend's punk show at another venue, where he proceeded to jam with them! I've written about it! Ever met Tom?
Another great start to the week, Terry - thank you for all of those links, which I'm looking forward to exploring later.
In the meantime I am amply entertained by your 'colour coded wife' depiction, although I can't estimate the temperature of the cat in the picture. Is it frying, or frozen? Reassurance required, please.
Great idea to give the 'reveal' upside-down! I'd identified the theme word, but hadn't twigged that the title had been part of the puzzle - that was absolute genius.
Your description of a modern-day framing of Richard III has reminded me of a production starring Robert Lindsay in the 1990s. He'd fixed his eyes on my mum to deliver one of Richard's (many) lengthy soliloquys in its entirety - I forget which - she was impressed but terrified. 'I'd've made a run for it if my seat hadn't been in the middle of a row!' she told me afterwards.
The cat is the same temperature as Elaine, just not colour-coded.
Regarding the title, I nabbed it from a crossword clue many years ago. The Clue was HIJKLMNO (5). I bet if I put the (5) in you'd have got it.
Amazing! I saw the Robert Lindsay production as well. I thought he was really good. And I remember that he did stare at a member of the audience at one point because their phone went off. I bet that was your mum too, wasn't it? I've met her sort before.
A little late to the party, but as such, this provided a lovely mid-week pick-me-up rather than food for thought to start the week. I most immediately relate to the color-coded wife illustration. Not only was it charming, but since it was 80 degrees the last time I commented here, and now it's 25 degrees, I've experienced each weather condition depicted in a relatively short period. Much like Elaine! Off to buy you a coffee, Terry. Glad you included the button! :)
That's lovely of you, Kerri, thank you!
Thank you so much for the shout-out and recommendation, Terry! You truly salvaged the start to my week. ☺️
As for International Women’s Day (and the many other such days)-- I wish they would do away with them all. Why can’t we celebrate the accomplishments of any type of person as we see them? I don’t need a designated day.
Glad to have brightened your day a bit, Amanda! 😇
The oulipo was so clever! Still wrapping my head around those...
Thanks for the mention. I agree there is a big difference between editing or censoring the classics and reimagining or reinterpreting them. When done with love, the latter can be a fun homage rather than an attempt to “fix” something that never asked for repair.
As far as needing a day to celebrate women, that’s about as patronizing as it gets. We’re, like, 50% of the world’s population and I think we contributed plenty to the last 300,000 years of human history, including all the humans. I don’t think we need a pat on the head for it now. They can take their consolation prize holiday and shove it. (Now I’m ornery ;-)
My reaction to contributing all of the human race: 😂
MY reaction to "shove it": 😂
My thoughts exactly. It's nice to know I'm not being characterised as some sort of example of mysogenism and toxic masculinity.
Thanks re Oulipo puzzle :-)
PS sorry for winding you up!
Haha, I am too easily wound up these days ;-)
I don’t think we need to reinterpret books from the past. I think we can appreciate books from the past as they are and create current writing our way now. In a similar way I don’t think we need to reinterpret history; we can grasp historical concepts as they were ‘back then’ while connecting the socio-historical dots to our contemporary moment.
I couldn't agree more, Michael. I find the arrogance of the people who think they have the right to do all that quite breathtaking.
👌👌
I think you need to add a subtitle of "...with a word you don't know" to your Start The Week.
Persiflage. Perhaps I'm in the minority not knowing this, but what a lovely word. I shall be attempting to incorporate that into my life this week.
Classic four candles. Never gets old.
edit: oh, and enjoying learning about Oulipos. Good acrostic. I'm afraid I'm playing catch up on a lot of articles and unfortunately didn't sit to read this slowly to try and puzzle it out (sorry!)
Enjoyed having to turn my laptop upside down just then, though.
As for the classics, yes, I'm all for reimaging things, too. It's not really the same given it's new, but I did like the fact that Hamilton was about American history but was told in a very modern style.
Several people have commented that they had to look up the word "persiflage". I think it's a great word. Thanks re Oulipo.
Upside down: LOL
I'm not familiar with Hamilton I'm afraid :-(
The puzzle was brilliant! And you know I must comment about the cartoon of your wife because I love your art! How you can communicate perfectly with a few lines is incredibly enjoyable.
Shantideva said, "Where would there be leather enough to cover the entire world? With just the leather of my sandals, it is as if the whole world were covered." This to me, from my limited and confused human brain, is internal freedom and could soothe many suffering souls who believe external validation is the key to peace.
Thanks, Renee, re puzzle, and also about my art. 😂
Love that Shantideva quote. I think a certain degree of external validation is nice, but so is self-belief (in moderation!)
Your art rocks!
I agree, external validation is nice, like a warm blanket on a cozy night!
That skit is priceless. Reminds me of this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAG39jKi0lI
“Let me put that date in my diary.”
Ah yes, classic! Same general crew. Did you notice how Harry Enfield was trying desperately not to laugh in the bit about dongles?
Is there a funnier word?
No. 😂 Although I cannot help thinking that much depends on context, and also what kind of mind the viewer has!
Check out Mark Starlin today, Terry. The two of you are on a similar wave-length this Monday morning. You -- on the idea of making the classics more "modern". Mark -- on transcribing classic Beatles songs into Elizabethan English. Interesting this should happen on the same day! Both takes were thought-provoking.
Thanks Sharron, I'd missed that! Great post by Mark
Love the poem puzzle and its upside-down solution!
Thanks Claire 😃
I often wonder: are all books just re-imaginings of older books? I mean, it seems like there’s a limited number of plots but a limitless number of ways to adapt them.
As for international women’s day (or Black history month in the US) I wonder how much of a difference does it make? Or are we just virtue signaling? I’d rather we got together and wrote some laws that would help to make these holidays irrelevant.
I once read that there are only seven basic plots, so you are almost certainly correct!
We have Black History Month in the UK too. The only thing about laws is that we already have them, at least in the UK and I'm sure there must be similar in the USA. It's illegal to discriminate on the basis of age, colour or sex. From what I can see, every new law passed breaks one of these laws.
🎶And, Jillian, this from a music-writer's POV...to paraphrase: "I often wonder: Are all songs just re-imaginings of older songs? It seems like there's a limited number of notes, but a limitless number of ways to adapt them"!! I offer no answers, but I'm amazed and amused by how your query can travel so easily between art forms! Holy conundrum, Batman!🎵And, lest this goes unnoticed, your 'Stack page title even uses a form of a music term, as well.....hmmmmmm. Nice!
Good point, Brad.
Ooooo! Great point!
Yes, sometimes, just occasionally, Brad comes up with something ok-ish.
PS, Brad, just joshin' 😂
Also, not sure why I’m feeling so ornery today! 😂
OMG we don't have the word ornery in the UK. I guessed it meant bad-tempered but I still had to look it up.
That's funny! I'm not sure we really have it in the US either...I assume I must have picked it up from reading too many Victorian novels...but maybe not.
Victorian novels?? 😂 😂
Call it Monday!
As in "I don't like Mondays"? Hey, that would be an interesting article for you, Brad, albeit a bit grim; songs to do with death: like that Boom Street Rats one, based on a real school shooting (some girl shot people because she didn't like Mondays), Terry (Twinkle); Leader of the Pack -- must be a few more.
Songs about death.....Unfortunately, Terry, I'm a bit too happy-go-lucky to tackle that one. Add to that, my knee-jerk lack of class and/or appropriateness when on such topics! Not many words would be written before my world-class snark would sneak in, and it would just devolve into rank tastelessness (already my interest is piqued at this point)!!
The closest to a drawing-board position on the subject is concocting an origin story on Casper the Friendly Boy. We know so much about the dear lad's afterlife...comic books, at least one movie...I want to know about how Casper trundled through this mortal coil...and, possibly begin an investigation into why so little has been written about this obviously benevolent pre-adolescent! It's like, "He flies....we get it!"👻🧢But, was he kind to his mother?
Oops, a Boomtown Rats reference: You get to be the only one to hear I met Master Geldof in 1978, during his Houston stop on the Rats tour, at the Texas Opry House! Shhh, don't tell anyone!
P.S. If it's death you want, check out 1970's "Timothy" by The Buoys, a song written by one of my all-time faves (I'll write about him eventually....although I'll ignore his "Pinada Colada Song," which I abhor, and is nowhere near his best), Rupert Holmes. Before you listen to the song, have a knife and fork handy! Yum!
To be honest, Brad, I didn't think you'd want to delve into that subject. Also, I have a pretty grim sense of humour that not everyone appreciates. Not sure I want to listen to Timothy if I need a knife and fork for it!
Yeah, you're right about Casper. I always had my doubts anyway: I mean, what's the point of being a ghost if you're going to be friendly? Give me the Canterville Ghost any day.
I heard Sir Bob speak at an event called the World Education Forum, attended by education ministers from around the world. Some of what he said, in between the swearing, made sense.
I interviewed him in 2017 at an ed tech show in London. He was pretty gracious and impressive. I asked him if he'd like to see my questions first, and he very pithily assured me that it was unnecessary.
Impressive Geldof anecdote! Certainly beats mine! From the same Houston venue (Texas Opry House), just weeks apart from my brief Geldof meeting, I drove Tom Robinson--in my car--to a friend's punk show at another venue, where he proceeded to jam with them! I've written about it! Ever met Tom?
Haha! Totally!
Another great start to the week, Terry - thank you for all of those links, which I'm looking forward to exploring later.
In the meantime I am amply entertained by your 'colour coded wife' depiction, although I can't estimate the temperature of the cat in the picture. Is it frying, or frozen? Reassurance required, please.
Great idea to give the 'reveal' upside-down! I'd identified the theme word, but hadn't twigged that the title had been part of the puzzle - that was absolute genius.
Your description of a modern-day framing of Richard III has reminded me of a production starring Robert Lindsay in the 1990s. He'd fixed his eyes on my mum to deliver one of Richard's (many) lengthy soliloquys in its entirety - I forget which - she was impressed but terrified. 'I'd've made a run for it if my seat hadn't been in the middle of a row!' she told me afterwards.
The cat is the same temperature as Elaine, just not colour-coded.
Regarding the title, I nabbed it from a crossword clue many years ago. The Clue was HIJKLMNO (5). I bet if I put the (5) in you'd have got it.
Amazing! I saw the Robert Lindsay production as well. I thought he was really good. And I remember that he did stare at a member of the audience at one point because their phone went off. I bet that was your mum too, wasn't it? I've met her sort before.
🤣 It most certainly wouldn't've been her with the phone, Terry, I can assure you!
Must have been you then. Typical