November 9th

pockets of forest

cavern pools and ocean depths

survivors linger

Sir David Attenborough picked 10 animals to save on his “Ark” as part of a new programme celebrating his incredible 60 years in (BBC) broadcasting. I admire him greatly.

From the scaly Pangolin, to Darwin’s Frog where the male gives “birth” to the young and the wonderful Sumatran Rhino to name just three, he passionately delivers a case for each animal under threat. Bit of a mean premise for the show though, asking him to choose, as I’m sure he would prepare a defence to save the many thousands of species who are at severe threat of extinction due to eco-system destruction or hunting. It’s a wonderful programme though, as it always is when Sir David is involved.

Photo from the BBC website.

November 3rd

 

flawed fallen angel

the goatherd of paradise

tainted by mortals

I watched a documentary “How the Devil Got His Horns”. It was another brilliant BBC programme. Basically it concentrated on the art history of the Devil, Lucifer, Satan, whatever you call him.

How the rarely mentioned character in the Bible took on more and more significance over the ages. Early depictions of him, were actually as an angel in the sense we would understand, beautiful, fine featured, feathered wings, even with a halo. But the image got more horrific and corrupted over time, horned, goat legged, sharp fanged, forked tailed, inflicting terrible tortures upon sinners. I can imagine the illiterate entering church and looking at these horrific frescoes and conceptualising eternal damnation. I can also imagine the wild imaginings of artists to make their devil more horrific, more violent and shocking. On the one side, for those commissioning the works, a prime example of fear used to control of course. On the other, the artistic license to have fun with a creating piece of work and really go to town on it!

The Devil is a complex character, I’m no Theologian or Philosopher, I’m not a believer, but I imagine that the Devil is much like anyone, neither “good” nor “evil”, just flawed, just as Jesus was flawed, but always doing his best, hanging around with the lowest of society, promoting equality and love, which led to his global appeal.

If the Devil was banished from heaven, then the last place you should send him to have a think about his actions is where us lot live. There’s no chance of redemption hanging around with us bunch of fucked up mortals.

From the BBC Website, detail from the frescoes painted by Luca Signorelli in Orvieto Cathedral. Considering how realistic and contemporary this looks it’s actually quite surprising this was painted in the early 1500s.

June 28th

shadow witches perched

unblinking at the window

ragnailed and swaying

I walked into the spare bedroom in the dark the other day, before I switched on the light, I had a flashback of childhood. On windy nights, when the curtains were open, even by a tiny crack, I used to scare myself looking at the shadows of the trees breaking between the curtains, splayed on the wall. I imagined witches were out there, squatting in the trees, silently waiting for me, their long slender fingers exploring the insides of the room via their cast shadow.

And then of course I stupidly watched Salem’s Lot at one point, the Stephen King TV adaptation. Of course that was it then, it was floating vampires tapping at the window *and* tree witches from that point forward. Oh, and ghosts walking through the walls (sometimes just the dismembered floating drooling head of a ghost hovering above me) and a werewolf under the bed / in the wardrobe.

But it was all ok, as the rules were if you hid under the covers, they couldn’t touch you. Beds and blankets are the greatest ward against the supernatural. Not garlic, not silver, not holy water. A bed, with a sheet to pull over your head. Foils them every time.

Stills from Salem’s Lot below. This scene was pretty chilling. Even watching it today, this otherwise unremarkable TV horror has some great suspense and frightening moments. And David Soul is in it.

When a vampire floats up to your bedroom window and starts tapping and scratching at it, imploring you to let him in, do not, I repeat, do not invite him in. Without an invite, he’ll have to stay outside, getting bored. Just stay in bed. And pull the sheet over your head so you don’t meet his gaze, or he’ll try and beguile you to do his bidding.

Dude, what did I just say? He’s gonna mess you up now!

April 12th

 

It’s more important

to show compassion and love

kindness is magic

 

I watched Ricky Gervais’ new pilot, set in an old peoples home. His character Derek (also the name of the show) is a gentle, middle aged man with learning difficulties who works there. It seems to have divided opinion between those who hated it and rated it. Some reviewers have given it a mauling, because of the controversial subject matter, but also, I think, in part because for some, Gervais is unpalatable. Somehow insincere or perceived as churning out the same fly on the wall mocumentaries.

Yes, Gervais can be annoying… but, I disagree with the negative reviews, the subject matter is dark and although there are some slapstick elements, it’s not overtly a comedy and doesn’t disrespect Derek or people with learning difficulties. It didn’t dilute any love you feel for Derek or how much you end up rooting for him and caring for him. In half an hour, you are totally on Derek’s side. Gervais for all his cringe making comedy creates characters with warmth, who you really empathise with. They feel real, they aren’t saving the world, they don’t claim to be heroes, they are just normal people, trying to get on, with the same fears and doubts as the rest of us.

When Derek’s favourite resident, Joan, passed away, after he’d gone out to buy her a lottery ticket and a scratchcard, I was choked up, fighting back the tears. He was so delighted that she’d won £10, only to find out she had died. With shaking hands he put her winnings in her purse and spent some poignant moments with her. The best bit of writing and acting in the episode for me was when an emotional Derek reminisced about Joan. It looked like his tears were real.

Derek said “She said 'Kindness is magic Derek, its more important to be kind, than clever or good looking.' I'm not clever or good looking, but I am kind.”

There was something so desperately lonely about Derek. So wanting to be loved and accepted. So yes, Kindness is Magic.