Some Melodious Plot

Excellent and informative piece in the @lrb.co.uk on Barnett Newman.

It’s convinced me that I can do better than dismissively saying ‘Rothko with a zipper’.

“Let us eat, drink and be merry. There are sausages in the scrutoire; there is beer in the green jug. I shall regale myself on toasted cheese.”

Stephen Maturin is coming very close to being my favourite character in literature.

😅

Troublemaker

Correspondence with Noam Chomsky This is supporting material for the article See No Evil.

1. Noam Chomsky's response to the first tranche of Epstein docs - arrogant, high-handed, obfuscatory and, we now know, dishonest - reminded me of something: his response to my questions about genocide denial, 15 years ago. 🧵
www.monbiot.com/2012/05/21/2...

YouTube video by Vagrant Records The Hold Steady - "Stuck Between Stations" [Official Video]

Ahh, don't be daft. I'm always telling people the Radiohead in Okinawa story. :-)

I love The Hold Steady's references to John Berryman in the song Stuck Between Stations.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cem...

I do. Love a bit of Okkervil River. I have quite the relationship with The Beach Boys song too, in that one of my final voyages at sea brings up troubled memories of listening to the song - along with Radiohead's OK Computer - whilst wandering around Okinawa. "The worse trip I've ever been on!" :-)

Modern before modern was even a thing! :-)

I need to combine this with a visit to my old home, HMY Britannia! :-)

My first trip was a three minute breeze through to case the joint after I’d seen Lee Miller. I lingered today. :-)

An annual display of Turner’s watercolours sounds grand.

@enavakas.bsky.social … we didn’t talk about it … but I think you’ll enjoy the Danish link. 🇩🇰

It’s only just clicked … Declan Ryan wrote ‘Modern European’, a gorgeous poem that I posted last year … and I’ve got a vague recollection that we might have talked about it.

🤣 🐇 🕳️

It’s practically a rom-com! 🤣

You’re right! It’s ever present. Maybe it’s just been dumped there after the owner had an attack of taste. 🤣

A lovely gig, Rosie. I was a bit tired as it was my second night out in a row … but I managed. :-) x

Well that Nick Drake elegy comment has got me intrigued.

Well that’s a rabbit hole I wish I’d never have gone down! 🫤

Fingers crossed, Angela!

That’s essentially what Rothko would come up with if he went gangster trippin. :-)

Life is like Tottenham Hotspur; you never know what you’re going to get! 🤣 #COYG

Tate Britain this afternoon. I’ve really learned to love John Constable over the past ten years … he dazzles and charms and makes you want to stomp out into the meadows for a brisk walk.

But he’s no Turner!

If you get chance have a peek outside. It’s a full moon, except for the tiniest edge. Brilliant and mottled, with Venus bright and clear, up and to the right. Tomorrow it counts as the proper full moon, the Snow Moon. A treat.

A pint, a bit of shore-time with Aubrey and Maturin, and 4-0 to the Arsenal.

Ah nuts! It’s boring reading Frank O’Hara in London as if I were a 1950s hipster waiting for my Vodka Martini …

Not true of course. Reading Frank O’Hara is never being boring.

Somewhere between Minneapolis and the Angel of Islington. Craig Finn and the Band of Forgiveness at the Union Chapel.

I’ve got tickets for that gig at Hackney Church. What a great combo.

Jumper and coat off, just a T-shirt. But you’re right … it’s a tad chilly. They need to light some candles.

Excellent.

That’s a shame about them not doing Denmark. They’d be perfect in Copenhagen’s Pumpehuset … my little brother lives in Copenhagen and I’ve seen quite a few gigs there.

I’m just Friday night for the Weekender at the moment, but it’s always my favourite weekend of the year.