I'm an art object and very, very expensive

[sovay]

I have just returned from seeing my best cousin rushthatspeaks off at the airport. The halls were decked with appalling Christmas muzak. There must be some point in an all-instrumental "Twelve Days of Christmas," but neither of us could see it. Fortunately, there was a man in South Station playing "Votre toast" on a melodeon, so that was all right.

Placeholder for a longer report: as I have for years suspected I would, I love Derek Jarman. We watched Caravaggio (1986) on Monday and Edward II (1991) last night; his mix of period and anachronism and realism and theater is precisely correct and his films are full of beautiful things I didn't know I needed. Nigel Terry. Sean Bean, who I didn't know was ever that thin and blond and risky, making love to Tilda Swinton with gold coins. Tilda Swinton in porcelain-perfect makeup, bending to a prisoner to tear out his throat with her teeth. I cannot wait to get hold of his War Requiem (1989), which now appears to be on DVD in a region I can watch. Also, Wittgenstein (1993).

I dreamed last night that I was called up to teach Latin on no notice whatsoever, so I grabbed some notes out of my desk and ran to class. Wish me prophecy.

Happy birthday, papersky!

Happy Hanukkah!

Rabbit, rabbit.

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Which of the films has Tilda Swinton in it?

[sovay]

Which of the films has Tilda Swinton in it?

Both of them. She was one of Jarman's muses.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Edward II was a cool historical figure, so I'd be interested in that one.

(I did mean Edward)

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Derek's books are also worth chasing up, if you have the inclination.

[sovay]

Derek's books are also worth chasing up, if you have the inclination.

Absolutely. I've read some of his filmscripts; I'll check out his prose.

[teenybuffalo.livejournal.com]

You say "rabbit, rabbit", too! I say that every first of the month. Not sure where I picked it up, but I know I read it in a book of folklore and self-consciously adopted it.

[sovay]

Not sure where I picked it up, but I know I read it in a book of folklore and self-consciously adopted it.

It's a tradition from my mother's side of the family. No idea where they got it.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

Happy Hanukkah! Safe journey to your cousin!

I hope it was a positive sort of called-up-to-teach-on-no-notice dream. If you're looking for teaching jobs, good luck!

I'm already tired of Christmas muzak. Then again, it only takes a few minutes' exposure to induce this.

[sovay]

I hope it was a positive sort of called-up-to-teach-on-no-notice dream. If you're looking for teaching jobs, good luck!

Thanks.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

You're welcome. I'm about to send out continuing education class proposals, myself. Triumph of hope over experience, maybe, but we'll see.

[papersky.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[sovay]

Thank you!

Welcome. I hope it was.