As I put the finishing touches on my presentation for Sunday, I have been taking breaks with more swashbuckling: James Whale’s 1939 version of The Man in the Iron Mask. Returning stars of a recent view Louis Hayward and Joan Bennett, as the twins and the queen-to-be respectively. A great cast all around — it’s…
Life and Death of the Wicked Lady Skelton
After finally watching The Wicked Lady I decided I really needed to read it, too. Finding that it was cheaper to get the annotated copy was just a bonus because there were all kinds of notes and a good introduction. Magdalen King-Hall is not as well known as other historically-inspired novelists of her era like…
One Hundred Years of Surrealism: 1p RPG
I warned you, didn’t I? Yes, a third game in the space of a week because once you have a container it’s a simple thing to fill it with ideas! Okay, I am perhaps characteristically underplaying the concept because actually this is a completely different form than the pervious games of chance. This is a…
Swashbuckling Adventure
When I get fed up with what I’m working on — or if I actually finish something and need a break — a good old vintage film is often what I look for. The Wicked Lady (1945) is cracking fun. I regret not getting to it sooner. I used to have an aversion to Margaret…
Alchemy Anarchy: 1P RPG
‘You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough You can never know enough without knowing more than enough; the road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom,’ or so said William Blake. (I should look it up as I never remember quotes quite right, but I’m fairly certain…
Mystic Lodge Fracas: 1P RPG
I am happy to announce my very first one-page Role Playing Game (or at least my first attempt at one): MYSTIC LODGE FRACAS. ‘Tis the season for one page RPGs at Itchio, where my first ever game now languishes (BE SURREAL, which needs some little fixes I think). All this obsessing about tarot led me…
Carved in Dundee
World Cup Fever has not completely abated; many supporting Norway this weekend…
Double Dumas
When the troubles of the world overwhelm, read some Dumas — and the troubles of the past are there to distract you! All the terrible things that happened in the past are there to amuse and/or horrify you as entertainment. Perspective, I guess? I recently learned that Etteilla turns up as a character in Alexandre…
Recent Reads
I am endeavouring to be better with keeping track of my reading; unsurprisingly, much of my reading has been non-fiction like the glorious catalogue for the tarot exhibit at Accademia Carrara, which is not only full of gorgeous plates, but there are even English translations of all the essays in the back (ah, those blue…
Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art
Today the massive upload — well, one of them! I have a few massive uploads to come. But this one is the Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at the V&A which included a huge amount of materials from the beginnings of the couturier’s life to the afterlife mostly represented by current designer Daniel Rosenberry, who channels…