Jellyfish, Alturas Duo, Hamlet, Iphigenia, Let the Right One In...
A treasured friend sent us as a wedding gift a phenomenally beautiful art glass sculpture. You've got to see this stuff. Here's a link to some of the work that has come out of this studio (we received a duo-jellyfish lighted sculpture -- really stunning.)
http://www.mendocinostories.com/ART_GlassFire2.html
When I get the camera out, I'll try and get a good photo of the one that's currently on my desk. I now want to collect at least one more of these. Makes me love jellyfish.
* * * * *
Over the weekend, we went to hear one of our favorite "groups," the Alturas Duo. If you ever get a chance, go see them live. Here's their website:
http://www.alturasduo.com/
Here's their YouTube page, although after listening to some of these, unfortunately the recordings done here don't capture the vibrant sound these two create. Still, you'll get an idea of the style of music:
http://www.youtube.com/user/alturasduo
* * * * * *
As some of you know, I've spent the past 2 years primarily studying classic drama and fiction and focusing on the techniques of some of the great writers and dramatists -- and re-examining what story is, what it can mean, and ultimately, why I'm a storyteller. Every few years or so I feel it's important to focus again on the fundamentals of fiction and drama itself, and this tends to slow down my writing a bit.
As a result of taking this time, and continuing to write, I've got about 3/4 of a novel done, and three novella/novelettes finished.
I suspect I'll have some good announcements in the coming months about upcoming fiction, but I wanted to express my thanks to the readers out there who have supported my writing all these years (by buying and reading it), which has allowed me to focus my working life on books, fiction, and drama in general.
I do not take this for granted -- writers' careers can go away easily, and I have been thankful that mine still exists after 2 decades.
And before I forget, I'm not sure how much longer I'll leave Afterlife online as a free read, so if you've missed it, go check it out now, right here:
http://www.DouglasClegg.com
Best,
Doug
p.s.
After having seen about half-a-dozen Hamlets, I think the best filmed version is the Kenneth Branagh one -- worth renting. Watch it slowly, over several nights. And there's a Greek production of Iphigenia (the one with Irene Papas in the cast) that's also powerful.
And, if you haven't gone out to see the movie, Let the Right One In, you are missing a great horror film.
As for reading? I've been re-reading The Great Gatsby this week. It still proves to be a perfect novel. I would love to track down any notes Fitzgerald may have left about the writing of it -- was this an effortless tale, or did he edit it endlessly? I'd really love to know. I'm guessing he edited it endlessly, but I may be wrong.
What book are you reading? What movie can you recommend that you've recently seen?