22:33 ; Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Fortress of Solitude
I've been reading a great, spanning, geographically defying book called "Fortress of Solitude" - which is saying a lot when it stays relatively stuck in New York... Brooklyn, particularly. It's my first Jonathan Lethem, one that I picked up from Deptford Market for 50p because I liked the back of it, but I'm really glad I did. It focuses on best friends, Dylan (who is white) and Mingus (who is black), and their friendship as they grow up, change and face tensions - socially, racially, politically.
I haven't finished it yet. I'm about halfway. Did I mention it's quite a long novel? Except it is worth it. In a lot of ways - mostly heartbreakingly and sometimes longingly - it reminds me of Deptford. That sounds more lyrical than it really is: 1970s Brooklyn and Deptford. Not twinned so much as... there's a lot of experiences that Dylan goes through or feels that I know I've been through. Only, it's not as severe or adventurous. To be honest, I don't think teenagers in Deptford today are too worried about race - I don't think South London is in general. It's far more about class, which is alright because everyone in Deptford tends to be more working class. Uniting us like Northern Ireland and the Republic never did. So maybe I have no idea what sort of things Dylan goes through. Maybe it's some weird romantic attachment, stranger still since the novel paints a rather vulgar picture of Brooklyn.
"It's not too late for you to know, my profound child, the world is nuttier than a fruitcake. Run if you can't fight, run and scream fire or rape, be wilder than they are, wear flames in your hair, that's my recommendation."
"If someone asks you say you live in Gowanus. Don't be ashamed."
"Stuyvesant was Jewish white, wasp white, hippie white, Chinese, black, Puerto Rican, and much else but crucially it was nerd, nerd, nerd."
"You could grow up in the city where history was made and still miss it all."
(photos are of Brooklyn, most are circa 1980s - sourced from Google)
Labels: book, Fortress of Solitude, Jonathan Lethem, photos, places, South East London
17:09 ; Saturday, 4 June 2011
a few of my favourite things #2
It's a really warm, sunny day in Old England; Sweet Disposition by the Temper Traps is on the radio; I've made myself some pink lemonade using
this recipe (and it tastes lovely!); I've finished my Tudors revision and am taking a little break before I head onto politics; the mid-series finale of Doctor Who is on tonight.
Yes.
And River - River - RIVER!! I'm just in love with how badass she is, she's like a manly Captain Jack Harkness :) I loved Captain Jack. I really hope her storyline will be amazing.
I think this series, with Matt Smith, has been an emotional ride. He's exceeded my expectations and adoration for David Tennant, and although Tennant will always be my Doctor, Smithy has been incredible. One of the main things that have changed (noticeably the difference in Moffat and Davies' writings) is the lack of family ties for Amy. Which in a lot of ways doesn't ground her. But in a lot of other ways she gets a lot of freedom with Rory and the Doctor, and they've become this tiny surrogate family. Because families count.
I just can't wait.
(photos sourced from Tumblr and various sites)
Labels: a few of my favourite things, doctor who, Ireland photos, pink lemonade, Sci-Fi
02:08 ;
The things people do when intoxicated....
A non-cliche observation of our drunken mistakes....
(all photos acquired not-so-gallantly from Tumblr)
i. Promise to take a go on a daring / beautiful / life-changing / longed for / sought for / time consuming adventure together. And never do.
ii. Sing. Or rap. Or both.
iii. Attempt to prove how much smarter you are then everyone else. And failing. And looking like an idiot.
iv. Play mental games.
v. Laugh at silly, trivial things. But feel great doing it.
vi. Get into the worst arguments with your friends. About things you've been thinking about for ages. About the truth. Breathe. Get back together. Hopefully.
vii. Drink more and more and more... it's a bad idea kid. You'll be faced with two roads: get puffy in the morning, bad headache, wishing you hadn't acted like a complete jerk. Or smile over the strangest things you did last night. Mostly it's the former.
viii. Stop thinking. Briefly. Enjoy it while it lasts.
ix. Like techno / house / dubstep - and the next morning you'll feel disgust. Noise noise noise!
x. Realise you're with the people you really care about. Most likely.
Labels: list, memories, mistakes, photos
02:45 ; Friday, 3 June 2011
Excerpt #27
Judy "Jude" abruptly turns the wheel of Dorothy's "Dottie" tiny Beetle, forcing into Southridge Avenue, off the side of New Cross Hall.
Dottie: Are you insane?
Jude peers closer at the Corsa parked opposite. It's Darren's, her ex boyfriend's. The two university flat-mates both reach to the conclusion that Darren is staying at New Cross Hall tonight, at Gloria's.
Dottie: Well, when I said insane I meant...
Jude: That ... BITCH.
Dottie: Insane. I meant insane.
Jude gets out of the car and treads towards the midnight blue car, it sits innocently. Or menacingly. She whispers curses under her breath. Dottie goes to follow her. The loyal stead.
Jude: I'll show him... I'll show him whose moved on! (She looks back to Dottie, who sighs at the situational irony)
If he's that much of an idiot... he's left a spare under - (She reaches under the license plate and pulls out spare key)
Dottie: Wow. He is an idiot. (Jude throws the key to her. She looks apprehensive but opens the door and they seat themselves awkwardly)
Wait, why have I got the keys? Is this happening?
Jude: Well I've never been in the driver's seat before. ... (affectionately and with a smirk) Well, that's a lie..
Dottie: That's disgusting.And strangely admirable.
A beat.
So... (Jude fumbles around, begins to take off her underwear) Whoa what are you doing? No. No! you are not planting your underwear. Not here. Not ever.
Jude: Oh, it's happening. This is happening. (She looks around for a place to hide it, her underwear is a grey and lacey, and Dottie's face is a mixture of fear, shock and bewilderment. She's had enough of the weeks of attention seeking, the moaning, the pity. Her attempts at helping Jude have been futile, despite her best efforts. She's tired, she's afraid of getting an STD from a car seat and she's hungry. All she can say is...)
Dottie: This is pathetic.
Jude jerks her head to Dottie in disbelief -
Jude: What did you just call me?
Dottie: pathetic Jude, it's not hard to understand.
Read more »Labels: literature, photos, places, South East London
About me
1) I'm a lazy blogger
2) This blog will generally include writings on films, music, books, fashion, locations, and other worldly movements.
3) I'm short and the best thing I have learnt to combat this is sewing.
4) I'm very bad at html things. Sorry if the layout looks nothing like it should be.
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