The days are quiet.
I don't see much of my flat mates luckily. I stay in my room most of the time and watch the sky change colours. I sleep lots. The cat is with me on that one.
I started reading On Beauty by Zadie Smith. I'm only 30 pages in and I love it already. I read White Teeth some years ago because it was praised so much but was disappointed. Probably because of all the praise. But this I'll read very slowly. Try to read it slowly. I always say that and then I get caught up and finish it within days. What a waste, eh? You can only read a good book for the first time once, re-reads will never be the same as that initial experience.
I re-watched Girl With A Pearl Earring a couple of days ago, as it was on TV. Proves my point perfectly. I was absolutely enchanted the first time saw it, Christmas 2006. I'm not sure whether I saw the film first or read the book. I think I saw the film first. I also remember an interview with Tracy Chevalier on the BBC. You could say she did a good job because it really got me intrigued. (I'll see if I can dig it up somewhere.) And both were fantastic. I want to re-read the book now.
I wish I could write like that. Or act in films like that one.
Watching the film (Girl With A Pearl Earring) made me sad this time though. Why is it that so few people get to live a life of art and passion? Most slave for corporations and bosses and a 40 hour work week where the weekend is all you've got left.
Why is that? Surely it can't be only a question of money in your birth family? Though that makes your choice an easier one. As does your family having connections or being in the business themselves, especially film. I don't know whether it's true for other arts as well, probably not as much.
I think it is gravely unfair. My therapist said years ago, I should give up on the notion that life is fair because it isn't. My mother said something to a similar effect when I was little. They may be right, but I can't help it.
What am I trying to say with all this rambling? Maybe that I live in books and films and solitude at the moment and I enjoy it immensely. I wish I could live my entire life like that. I wish I could live a good life.
I started reading On Beauty by Zadie Smith. I'm only 30 pages in and I love it already. I read White Teeth some years ago because it was praised so much but was disappointed. Probably because of all the praise. But this I'll read very slowly. Try to read it slowly. I always say that and then I get caught up and finish it within days. What a waste, eh? You can only read a good book for the first time once, re-reads will never be the same as that initial experience.
I re-watched Girl With A Pearl Earring a couple of days ago, as it was on TV. Proves my point perfectly. I was absolutely enchanted the first time saw it, Christmas 2006. I'm not sure whether I saw the film first or read the book. I think I saw the film first. I also remember an interview with Tracy Chevalier on the BBC. You could say she did a good job because it really got me intrigued. (I'll see if I can dig it up somewhere.) And both were fantastic. I want to re-read the book now.
I wish I could write like that. Or act in films like that one.
Watching the film (Girl With A Pearl Earring) made me sad this time though. Why is it that so few people get to live a life of art and passion? Most slave for corporations and bosses and a 40 hour work week where the weekend is all you've got left.
Why is that? Surely it can't be only a question of money in your birth family? Though that makes your choice an easier one. As does your family having connections or being in the business themselves, especially film. I don't know whether it's true for other arts as well, probably not as much.
I think it is gravely unfair. My therapist said years ago, I should give up on the notion that life is fair because it isn't. My mother said something to a similar effect when I was little. They may be right, but I can't help it.
What am I trying to say with all this rambling? Maybe that I live in books and films and solitude at the moment and I enjoy it immensely. I wish I could live my entire life like that. I wish I could live a good life.