A fluttering flickering cloud of white flakes falling on the apparition

[sovay]

The ending of this week was slightly eaten by someone else's medical for a change, but everyone is alive and well and if not living in New York, at least some of us are going there next week to see The Gang's All Here (1943). Carmen Miranda. Busby Berkeley. Lots of fruit. If Wittgenstein didn't watch this film after one of his lectures at Cambridge, his biographers have been misleading me for years. I'm just not sure the Film Forum will allow us to bring in pork pies.

Today was mostly quiet, which was fine. I slept nearly ten hours and even had dreams I could recall: one was stupid and involved finding a bathing suit, but the other was about a three-person lesbian/genderqueer band I'm actually sorry doesn't exist. I think the drummer was hitting on me. In the afternoon, I went over to gaudior and rushthatspeaks' and did not watch the next episode of Due South (1994–1999), because the television remote refused to be found even in the box marked "OMG SO FRAGILE" and "NO SQUISHING," but they offered me pancakes and showed me the weird little fort on Prospect Hill which overlooks Union Square; the wind breaks over it as if off the sea, which is why my hair is still very snarled. There were trees growing all round the second terrace, just breaking into white, very sweet-smelling blossom. We have no idea what kind they were, but I climbed over the rail and broke a branch for Lila. It is not the fault of trees everywhere that I will always associate May blossom with the Mari Llwyd.

(Someone of M. John Harrison's acquaintance actually made a Mari. Unsurprisingly, it freaks me out exactly as much as I imagined from Silver on the Tree (1977). The fact that Harrison had it haunt one of the protagonists of Light (2002) kind of hacked my brain.)

Cowboys & Aliens (2011) is exactly what it says on the tin.

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Between the fort overlooking Union Square and the little park by North Station, I'm thinking I'm going to have to start bookmarking your entries for a Hidden Sites of Greater Metropolitan Boston book. Or pamphlet, at the very least.

[sovay]

Between the fort overlooking Union Square and the little park by North Station, I'm thinking I'm going to have to start bookmarking your entries for a Hidden Sites of Greater Metropolitan Boston book.

Hah. I barely think I know enough places to be a credible native, let alone a guide, but you're welcome to come and follow! Just don't blame me when we wind up somewhere I know better, like fourth-century Sicily.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Just don't blame me when we wind up somewhere I know better, like fourth-century Sicily.

Um, I can't tell you enough how totally fine that will be with me.

[sovay]

Um, I can't tell you enough how totally fine that will be with me.

STOP BEING A POEM GENERATOR SERIOUSLY I HAVE MUSES COMING OUT MY EARS OH GOD THAT'S AN IDEA I NEED MY SLEEP NOW STOP BRAIN PLEASE.

[selidor]

You folks are hilariously awesome.

the sadistic muse of ill-timed inspiration

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Muhahahaha, my work here is done.

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

Keep being a poem generator. The poem was really good and Sovay and Cooney put me up to writing a blues song about Patty.

[sovay]

The poem was really good and Sovay and Cooney put me up to writing a blues song about Patty.

And we are so looking forward to it.

[mrbelm.livejournal.com]

A bock away from my house and you didn't stop to say hello?

[sovay]

A bock away from my house and you didn't stop to say hello?

I didn't know you were a block away! I am learning the geography of Somerville; for most of my life, it has simply been where I walked from the T station for McIntyre & Moore's. (And then they moved and I didn't have to do that. And then they closed and I was depressed.)

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

but the other was about a three-person lesbian/genderqueer band I'm actually sorry doesn't exist.

I think I have an image of what they would look like if they were in my head (all dapper and adorable) and that they would sound a little like Mammal Club...

[sovay]

I think I have an image of what they would look like if they were in my head (all dapper and adorable) and that they would sound a little like Mammal Club...

They all had very short hair. I met the drummer's wife at the CD release party.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

made a Mari

"First, catch your dead horse..."

[ashlyme.livejournal.com]

Nice icon!

[sovay]

"First, catch your dead horse..."

"First, Catch Your Mari" is a great title for something!

That is the appropriate icon, yes. Eeek.

[selidor]

Unsurprisingly, it freaks me out exactly as much as I imagined from Silver on the Tree (1977). The fact that Harrison had it haunt one of the protagonists of Light (2002) kind of hacked my brain.)

Those are beautifully disturbing art images. I'm exceedingly glad there's someone else for whom Light was a nightmarish wait for a dancing chase with red-ribbons-afly and the ghost-tide coming in.

[sovay]

I'm exceedingly glad there's someone else for whom Light was a nightmarish wait for a dancing chase with red-ribbons-afly and the ghost-tide coming in.

There are just things you don't expect to find in your braided-future science fiction; the folkloric terrors of your childhood are one of them!

[ashlyme.livejournal.com]

That Mari is awesome! If only pantomime horses looked like that... I need to re-read Light; I still don't know whether I love that novel.

Is the June Tabor track a PJ cover?

[sovay]

I need to re-read Light; I still don't know whether I love that novel.

It was my first M. John Harrison; I do love it, although The Course of the Heart (1992) is the one I adore. (rushthatspeaks has written brilliantly about both novels.) I still have to track down the rest of Viriconium.

Is the June Tabor track a PJ cover?

It is indeed!

[ashlyme.livejournal.com]

I first got into MJH through Viriconium (the Mari appears at least twice in the short stories), then Climbers. I can see why you love Course so much. And yeah, Rush's thoughts on Harrison are great. ("Okay Mike, now you can bump off the rest of London's great magicians...") I should tell them this!



Thanks for the links - I now have the Mari in my head, and the makings of something - most likely a poem.

[sovay]

And yeah, Rush's thoughts on Harrison are great. ("Okay Mike, now you can bump off the rest of London's great magicians...") I should tell them this!

You should!

Thanks for the links - I now have the Mari in my head, and the makings of something - most likely a poem.

w00t!

My work here is done . . .

[ashlyme.livejournal.com]

Heh. Thank you!

[moon-custafer.livejournal.com]

(Checks calendar) Oh good, May Day isn't this Monday* but Tuesday of the following week - if in the Toronto area, be aware that Morris dancers will most likely be in the parking lot at High Park around dawn.

*I'm starting a temp job tomorrow, and doubt I could risk any detour through the park while on my way to a place I've never been before.

[sovay]

if in the Toronto area, be aware that Morris dancers will most likely be in the parking lot at High Park around dawn.

Alas, no. I have no idea where people do May Day in Boston, now that I think about it. Probably the Arboretum?

I'm starting a temp job tomorrow, and doubt I could risk any detour through the park while on my way to a place I've never been before.

(Good call. Also, best of luck with temp job!)

[greenlily.livejournal.com]

I have no idea where people do May Day in Boston, now that I think about it.

The Boylston St. footbridge over the Charles. I always mean to go, but being out of bed by 5:30--let alone being at the River by 5:30--is never a realistic goal for me.

[sovay]

The Boylston St. footbridge over the Charles.

Cool! Thank you.

I always mean to go, but being out of bed by 5:30--let alone being at the River by 5:30--is never a realistic goal for me.

Yeah, unless I stay up for it, that's not happening.

[moon-custafer.livejournal.com]

Thanks. It's only supposed to be a week long, so I may be at liberty again by May Morning - in which case I'll try and drag myself out of bed and take some pictures - I got a few ok snaps a few years ago - plus some excellent photos of a heron taken on the way back to my place.

[sovay]

I got a few ok snaps a few years ago - plus some excellent photos of a heron taken on the way back to my place.

I like the idea of the May Day Heron.

[snowy-owlet.livejournal.com]

Oh I was going to make a comment about how Cowboys & Aliens was just the kind of stupid I wanted, but then I looked at the Mari after having listened to an hour-long show about Sitting Bull, and now my head is full of all the horse bones I kept finding when I visited Pine Ridge.

[sovay]

but then I looked at the Mari after having listened to an hour-long show about Sitting Bull, and now my head is full of all the horse bones I kept finding when I visited Pine Ridge.

Poem, huh?

[snowy-owlet.livejournal.com]

Very likely, you troublemaker.

[sovay]

Very likely, you troublemaker.

Oh, dear, I feel so responsible.

[ajodasso.livejournal.com]

I love Due South Seasons 1 and 2, but I fear I never warmed to the new Ray who kicked in with Seasons 3 and 4 (which results in me ignoring those two seasons entirely).

I'm likely to be in/around Harvard Square on Wednesday, so, as per usual, if you fancy tea or lunch, just drop me a line :)

[sovay]

I love Due South Seasons 1 and 2, but I fear I never warmed to the new Ray who kicked in with Seasons 3 and 4 (which results in me ignoring those two seasons entirely).

So noted. I'll let you know how it goes with me. I think first we need to find either the remote or a new TV to watch on . . .

I'm likely to be in/around Harvard Square on Wednesday, so, as per usual, if you fancy tea or lunch, just drop me a line

Hell: I'll be in New York City! We should plan on the next week. I should like to see you.

[ajodasso.livejournal.com]

I have Seasons 1 and 2 on DVD, although said DVDs are in the UK in storage. Bugger. You've made me realize I haven't re-watched them in a while!

Oh, have fun in NYC :) But the week after that, yes, I should be available (in and around my scattered museum shifts).

[sovay]

Bugger. You've made me realize I haven't re-watched them in a while!

Oddly, darthrami reported the same effect. I think that bodes well for the series, assuming we can get our viewing protocols sorted out!

But the week after that, yes, I should be available (in and around my scattered museum shifts).

Deal!

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

I missed the Mari the first time through this post.

EEP.

[sovay]

EEP.

You see?

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for the ending of the week, but glad everyone is alive and well.

I'm glad you slept and had dreams you recalled.

It's interesting there's a weird little fort--is that a fort in the military sense, or a fort-like construction of indeterminate use?

Cowboys & Aliens (2011) is exactly what it says on the tin.

Indeed. What did you think of it? Or is it better not to ask?

[sovay]

It's interesting there's a weird little fort--is that a fort in the military sense, or a fort-like construction of indeterminate use?

The weird little fort itself dates back no farther than 1902, so it's a memorial rather than a military fortification; it commemorates the importance of Prospect Hill in the Revolutionary War (when it was known as "the Citadel") and it is apparently a big deal that Somerville can claim to have flown the very first American flag on the site. There were also some notes on the plaque about the Civil War, but I think that was just the merging of one military honor into the next.

What did you think of it? Or is it better not to ask?

I think it could have been an excellent blend of both genres if the script had been less conventional. It had the right amount of grit for a classic revisionist Western and even some interesting sketches of character. Unfortunately, just about everyone died whom you expected to.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

The weird little fort itself dates back no farther than 1902, so it's a memorial rather than a military fortification...

Coolness. I'm not sure I've ever seen a memorial quite like that. Will have to search for images.

I think it could have been an excellent blend of both genres if the script had been less conventional. It had the right amount of grit for a classic revisionist Western and even some interesting sketches of character. Unfortunately, just about everyone died whom you expected to.

Ayup. I thought there was a little too much Stuffed-in-Refrigerators, myself. Then again, I'm sentimental, so that always bothers me.

I did think it was interesting that the Harrison Ford character survived--I was expecting that the only redemption a Hollywood film would allow him would be a heroic sacrifice, perhaps in the place taken by the Olivia Wilde character.

Then again, the hero riding off alone is also a bit of a cliché--perhaps the Daniel Craig character riding off in the company of an extraterrestrial, with at least a few of the attendant ambiguities pointed out*, would have been a greater trope-aversion. I'm not a good judge of these things.

All in all, I thought it was better than most of the reviews I read made it out to be**, but not as good as it could/should have been.

*Is this a romance? Is it a friendship? What does Ella actually think about this? Does she even have those categories at all, much less in a manner that's compatible with a 19th century American man's way of thinking about such things? What is her true physical appearance? Her actual biology? Being a human woman must be, at least in part, a role she plays. Does it relate at all to her actual gender, if she even has one that translates into 19th century Western Homo Sapiens Sapiens concepts?

Of course, showing that in a movie might be fairly difficult, and being allowed to do so in a Hollywood movie fairly well unlikely. Oh well.

**Most of the mainstream media reviewers couldn't seem to grasp the concept that a science fiction movie could be legitimately set in the past on Earth rather than in the future on some other planet.