Five more things on an imaginative Monday
1. I watched Terry Gilliam's Brazil for the first time last night. I think it's one of the few times a "classic" (or at least "cult classic") movie has lived up to its hype. There's a lot of trippiness in there, but there's an equal sense of deliberateness. I especially love the juxtaposition of the language of torture with the language of debt -- if you hold out too long, as one minor character says, you'll ruin your credit.
Also, damn it, now I have "Aquarelo do Brasil" stuck in my head. Which is pretty much the intended effect of that film, methinks.
2. On a continuing theme, this reminded me of an article/interview I read a while ago: Terry Gilliam on Ideas, Unlearning, and Avoiding Debt. I especially liked this quote:
What's the most important lesson you've learned throughout your film career?
If I'd actually learned any of the lessons, I wouldn't be making films anymore. I try not to learn. I spend most of my life unlearning.
3. I got some writing done this weekend - little pieces, here and there, towards finishing Gods and Fathers. Now, why am I spending a few paragraphs focusing on Mirasa's sex education? I don't know, but it turns out to be interesting! Also, I'm kind of proud of how I imagined the imagery of bee skeps and honey as integral to the Anamuri wedding ceremony.
4. I spent much of yesterday at my church, first ushering, and then attending the Radical Usher Training again, this time as Usher Coordinator. Our minister likes to stress that ushering is about the philosophy of the open door, of holding the sense of namaste in mind as you greet people, and of doing that spiritual work even when you don't feel like it. That appeals greatly to me, which is why I keep doing it, even though I find getting up early on Sundays really tough.
5. I finished a muslin of the gamurra I was happy with, and actually went to purchase the fabric. There was a lovely dark green silk dupioni I wanted to make it out of, but at 45" wide, there weren't the six yards I needed for the dress. There was also a brocade upholstery fabric I liked, but at $17/yard for at least five 55" wide yards, I decided that was too much. I chose a green linen-blend fabric, instead, which I'm kind of regretting, because I'm worried it's going to look too plain for a marchioness attending a masquerade. I'm tempted to go back and get two yards of the brocade just for the sleeves, just to liven it up a bit. Or two yards of the silk dupioni. Or both!
Also, damn it, now I have "Aquarelo do Brasil" stuck in my head. Which is pretty much the intended effect of that film, methinks.
2. On a continuing theme, this reminded me of an article/interview I read a while ago: Terry Gilliam on Ideas, Unlearning, and Avoiding Debt. I especially liked this quote:
What's the most important lesson you've learned throughout your film career?
If I'd actually learned any of the lessons, I wouldn't be making films anymore. I try not to learn. I spend most of my life unlearning.
3. I got some writing done this weekend - little pieces, here and there, towards finishing Gods and Fathers. Now, why am I spending a few paragraphs focusing on Mirasa's sex education? I don't know, but it turns out to be interesting! Also, I'm kind of proud of how I imagined the imagery of bee skeps and honey as integral to the Anamuri wedding ceremony.
4. I spent much of yesterday at my church, first ushering, and then attending the Radical Usher Training again, this time as Usher Coordinator. Our minister likes to stress that ushering is about the philosophy of the open door, of holding the sense of namaste in mind as you greet people, and of doing that spiritual work even when you don't feel like it. That appeals greatly to me, which is why I keep doing it, even though I find getting up early on Sundays really tough.
5. I finished a muslin of the gamurra I was happy with, and actually went to purchase the fabric. There was a lovely dark green silk dupioni I wanted to make it out of, but at 45" wide, there weren't the six yards I needed for the dress. There was also a brocade upholstery fabric I liked, but at $17/yard for at least five 55" wide yards, I decided that was too much. I chose a green linen-blend fabric, instead, which I'm kind of regretting, because I'm worried it's going to look too plain for a marchioness attending a masquerade. I'm tempted to go back and get two yards of the brocade just for the sleeves, just to liven it up a bit. Or two yards of the silk dupioni. Or both!