Humour is Personal
It’s a universal truth that some people will never get your humour. It doesn’t matter how hilarious you think you are. Don’t try to explain to this person how funny you really are. You will sound like a complete berk. And you will imply they’re an idiot for not getting the funny. Cut your loses and move on.
This is part of my 101 Ways to Live series (follow the link to read the original post).
Send Flowers.
The receiver will feel fabulous.
They will say what you have no words for.
The effect will last longer than the flowers. This is a good thing.
This is part of my 101 Ways to Live series (follow the link to read the original post). There is almost no situation that isn’t seasoned by the receipt of flowers. They can say: I’m sorry, I love you, I’m thinking of you, I know you’re grieving, It’s a boy/girl, Engagement, Marriage, Divorce, New job, Graduating, New home, It’s a day ending in “y”, Feel better soon, Get well, I still love you, I miss you… and on and on the list goes.
Compliments are a tricky business. For many people it’s a mine field where ‘vanity’ or ‘conceit’ could explode at any given moment. In the past I’ve fumbled responses to sincere compliments. “This old thing” or “don’t mention it, any passerby would have prevented nuclear meltdown and saved the kitten” or other negating comments are my stock in trade. Until…
“That shirt is fabulous, you look amazing” My French co-worker purred her response “Thank you. I love wearing this shirt. Now my report…”
Wait. She just accepted a compliment without self-depreciating. And she just commanded the respect of all those in the room for her work. My preconceptions shattered all around me. It’s simple. Accept compliments graciously.
This is part of my 101 Ways to Live series (follow the link to read the original post). Life’s to short to worry about how you react to a compliment. Just say “thank you” and move on. If you feel inspired to compliment back, feel free. Don’t make things more complicated than they need to be.
Saawariya is a Bollywood-esque adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s short novel, White Nights. And yes, you’ve read correctly – Russian tragedy gets the Bollywood treatment. I love it – it’s highly entertaining.
This book-to-film receives an inspired mention in the adaptation hall of fame.
Email has its limitations. It is a convenient way of keeping in touch, particularly when travelling but for most it lacks the nuance of a face-to-face, hearing someone’s voice or even a letter or postcard. Many emails are rendered flat and homogenised as we autopilot into an approximation of proper written English. With email being much easier to edit than snail-mail it’s easier to edit the liveliness and personality right out of your text. I love it when I receive an email that’s unashamedly personal. It captures something about the personality, not just an exchange of facts.
The email quoted below is from a close friend who travelled from Australia to the US then Mexico by herself.
…the most exciting thing so far has been crossing the US/Tijuana border at night, alone. (sorry mum). What I find interesting is what you learn about yourself when you travel and I learnt last night that I dont know the difference in emotion between fear and excitement- both produce similar responses (raised heart rate, bp, adrenalin etc) so Im not surprised. But as I stepped onto the tram in san diego last night headed to San Ysidro (the town bordering us/mexico) it kicked in- the buzz. I think Im nursing an eeny-weeny tiny little addiction to adrenalin. I tried to have the travel-savvy look we all know- not looking around too much, slightly bored like ‘sigh…just another border crossing’ and certainly no camera (shame). I’m not sure I was pulling it off so I decided I needed a little music to set the mood and I was tossing up between Little Red’s Rock It (so cute!) but decided I needed something with a little more oomph- get me psyched up a bit. Im happy to educate you all- the best song to cross that border is Kashmir (LZ). I found it hard not to fist-pump the air as it started up (what a riff) but that kinda contradicted my too-cool-to-travel look. Sufficiently psyched i jumped off and followed the masses across the bridge into Mexico. Its pretty cool. The only weird part is Im not quite sure exactly where the US soil stops and the Mexican begins- but Im guessing about where the Federales were standing. The plan was to get a bus from Tijuana to Ensenada but mercifully D (my mexican friend) decided that was not a brilliant plan as even though Mexico’s reputation on whole is undeserved, Tijuana kinda deserves it, at night anyway…
I’ve kept this email even though she’s long (safely) returned from her holiday because in describing her Mexican border crossing it captures a slice of her. Not just her itinerary or agenda. She is fearless, always in the thick of things, passionate about music (and many other things), liberated, generous.
The Maltese Falcon, starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor from Dashiell Hammett’s novel by the same name is an excellent adaptation and classic film noir.
This book-to-film adaptation receives an honourable mention in the adaptation hall of fame.
Love it or loathe the idea, a book you love will be made into a movie.
In the past, I have stubbornly expressed my derision at remakes that should never have been made. However, I do take a more moderate view of the book-to-movie translation these days but do find myself asking the question – Why is the book-to-film translation so controversial? I have given this some thought and have come up with a few reasons which I’ll share.
Obviously a book is not a screenplay. The devices, so effective in engaging you in your favourite book, will likely be completely ineffectual on-screen. The devices employed by an author leads your imagination to create your own exclusive interpretation of the nuances of the plot and characters. Your imagination is unique and rarely going to match someone else’s interpretation, so too are the imaginations of the director and screen writer(s) who will make important decisions about plot and characters in producing the screenplay.
Finally, the actors will also have their own take on how to execute the story. With all these people seeking to make the movie their own, it can start to feel like storytelling by Chinese whispers. What’s your favourite (or worst) or most original book-to-film translation?
Check out my list of Movie Remakes here:
+ Art, Exhibitions, Music, Uncategorized
Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado at QAG
by Eva Wynne
Francisco de Goya | The pottery vendor (El charrero) (detail) 1778–79 | © Photographic Archive, Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid
See the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) showcase exhibition, Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado until 4 November 2012. An Australian exclusive, the showcase is over 100 Spanish masterpieces from 16th to 18th Century. QAG has outdone itself creating the Spanish experience creating a vibrant atmosphere complete with Spanish food & tapas lounges.
There were some of the most breathtaking works I’ve seen, in this collection. It’s well worth the time.
The exhibition also has a great up-late program of entertainment for a fun, social and modern gallery experience. I met the girls for Paella & Sangria and a peak of the exhibition with Chet Faker last Friday which was loads of fun. His relaxed folkish tunes was the perfect antidote for a hectic week.
The up-late program also features Texas Tea, The Black Eyes Susan’s and Emma Louise. The up-late runs until 2 November 2012. It’s a great visit. Pop it in your calendar for a relaxed day or night out.
September in Brisbane is always interesting. I love it because it means Summer is on it’s way – and I am rather fond of a good summer. A pervasive spirit of excitement and anticipation starts to infect all human exchanges – people are outdoors more, socialising more, smiling more. And for the month of September there’s plenty to see and do because Brisbane. Becomes. Festival. City.
The Brisbane Writers Festival kicks off the month. If you follow me on Twitter you may have seen some of the conversations but needless to say it’s always interesting, entertaining and a little controversial (Ms Greer always delivers!). Although the festival has officially closed there’s still bookend events. The last of which is “A Life of Crime with Ian Rankin at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
The Brisbane Festival runs at venues all across Brisbane until 29th September. It has loads of local and international acts. In fact, there is pretty much something going on all the time and much of the fun is FREE! Always a plus.
And if that’s not enough there’s always Parklife in the Botanical Gardens on 29th September. Pack your dancing shoes or just chillax on the lawn. Or if you’re interested in something a little different there’s the Brisbane Fringe Festival.
So get out of the office, bed and experience something in the city. It’s all part of living… with fireworks!
From my nest on the couch I’m spending more than usual time with music. I thought to share Bird Gerhl by Antony + The Johnsons with you as it’s caught my attention at the moment.
I also know Antony + the Johnsons will be in Australia soon for the 2012 Melbourne Festival for a special performance of Swanlights. The work is highly praised with the Melbourne Festival’s website calling the performance “…a soaring hymn of love and loss…”.
Winter is something of my nemesis. It launches its minions: flu, chills and ills. We thrust and parry until I can go on no longer and must yield in a pile of tissues on the couch. I’m not going to lie to you – it’s not glamorous.
So the #10 Way to Live comes from my perspective on the couch. Freshly made Honey & Lemon tea: it’s easy to make and SO comforting.
Soothe all manner of ills with Honey & Lemon
This is part of my 101 Ways to Live series (follow the link to read the original post). Honey & Lemon tea is my go-to drink when I’m sick during winter. It’s not because I have any medical expertise (feel obliged to tell you that – I have no medical training) but it’s one thing while sick I know I can still enjoy. It feels good and finding pleasure in something when fighting the flu should be acknowledged, if not lauded.
I am a serial killer… Of plants that is. It’s most definitely not a deliberate choice. On the contrary, I love the idea of a green haven of blossoming plants. I just can’t seem to achieve it, and it’s not for the want of trying either.
So, you can imagine my shock when I opened my door to a friend bearing this lovely healthy orchid. Surely that couldn’t be for me?!? There’s a whole range of terrifying implications of the plant-gift. Foremost on my mind – will this plant be viewed as a metaphor for my friendship?
The orchid was beautiful… The discerning reader will notice the subtle shift to past-tense here. Despite my BEST efforts it still underwent a gradual demise following the inevitable way of all my other horticultural endeavors. And my friend? Well our relationship goes from strength to strength.
Fragments of Eva 