Monthly Archives: September 2007

SHAKESPEARE BY COMMITTEE.

Posted on September 10, 2007 by Philip

SHAKESPEARE BY COMMITTEE. Derek Jacobi is a wonderful actor. I have been lucky enough to see him on stage as Richard II, Benedick, Cyrano, Uncle Vanya and Prospero. However, I can’t take seriously his latest claim that Shakespeare’s works were … Continue reading →

Posted in Shakespeare | 4 Comments

CONTESTED CONVENTIONS (UPDATE).

Posted on September 10, 2007 by Philip

CONTESTED CONVENTIONS (UPDATE). Back in January, I expressed my desire for a return to contested conventions. It looks as if there might be one. It is hard to see the Republican nomination being sorted out quickly. Further, Michigan and Florida … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics | 2 Comments

ONE ARISTOCRACY REPLACING ANOTHER.

Posted on September 9, 2007 by Philip

ONE ARISTOCRACY REPLACING ANOTHER. Shannon Love’s comment on this post I linked to yesterday is brilliantly illuminating. I suggest you read the whole comment, but here is the first paragraph: “For some reason, modern readers of history seem to assume … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Leave a comment

“IDEAS MOVED. PEOPLE LESS SO.”

Posted on September 8, 2007 by Philip

“IDEAS MOVED. PEOPLE LESS SO.” I have previously posted here on what DNA is now telling us about population movements in the British Isles. Here are two posts from Chicago Boyz which review a new book by Bryan Sykes, SAXONS, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Science | 1 Comment

DEFINITION OF THE SHORT STORY.

Posted on September 7, 2007 by Philip

DEFINITION OF THE SHORT STORY. I have not belonged to a book group for a long time, but Mary Jane and I belong to a short story group, conducted by Carroll Stenson, that meets weekly. We have read and discussed … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | 5 Comments

TOP TEN LISTS.

Posted on September 7, 2007 by Philip

TOP TEN LISTS. I know that a lot of people reject the whole idea of having a favorite story. It seems fashionable to condemn lists of ten best books or 100 favorite movies. I like those lists because I can … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | 1 Comment

FAVORITE STORIES (COMMENT).

Posted on September 7, 2007 by Philip

FAVORITE STORIES (COMMENT). Nick commented that he, Mary Jane and I have the same favorite story: Joyce’s THE DEAD. He asked what it meant that his two favorite stories both remain unresolved. My second favorite story remains “The Supper at … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | 1 Comment

THE COMPLEXITY OF THE SIMPSONS.

Posted on September 6, 2007 by Philip

THE COMPLEXITY OF THE SIMPSONS. We have grown accustomed to very complicated plots in movies and television shows. People can watch an episode of THE SIMPSONS many times because there are so many jokes and changes of direction built in … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | 2 Comments

WATCHING THE SIMPSONS 20 OR 30 TIMES.

Posted on September 6, 2007 by Philip

WATCHING THE SIMPSONS 20 OR 30 TIMES. There is a generational difference in how I watch a movie or read a book and the way that Annalisa or Nick do. I think a lot of the difference was caused by … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | 4 Comments

MY LAW AND ORDER MOMENT.

Posted on September 5, 2007 by Philip

MY LAW AND ORDER MOMENT. Kids, back in the day, I was once questioned by homicide detectives (as a possible witness, of course). When I was living on Downing Street in the early seventies I walked out one morning and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment