Late Bloomer (for the sky watchers)

I don't even really know if its self-righteous to claim the title of 'late bloomer' as I am still very young

(Single-handedly the most reassuring Wiki entry here)

There are days this collective emphasis on 'having it' and 'knowing what to do with your life' is maddening. Some of us just wake up each day and have no clue. Rather than a complacency thing, I see it as almost the opposite, almost paralysed with too much choice. Potential! The one word always thrown back at you when you're struggling

There are days where I feel myself breaking beneath all my 'potential' selves. The weight of this unrealised future gain is holding me back in the present, and a few other Idlers I have met in my travels. It becomes a trap rather than a release of pent up creativity. Comparison is the thief of joy, and the idealised future you could have is one that makes you feel like a loser in the now....

I don't want to be a sheep maaaaaaann!

But it is getting to that point in life where I have to pick something(s) and stick to them, otherwise they will pick me.

 As the saying goes "Let go or be dragged" some words to live by, I need to let go of this juvenile idea that I will be 'everything' I have planned.

BUT!

This post is for the "late bloomers" or as older generations always like to look down and say, the wasted youth.Why do older people always forget what its like to be young?

The future is equally thrilling and terrifying

We are simultaneously faceless yet working towards that golden mask of unrealised 'time' and 'gains' from 'merit' and 'hard work'. The championing of Liberalism frightens me. In order to believe that people worked hard to be at the top, that they 'deserve' to be there, means by default, the people at the bottom deserve to be there too, it is a dangerously simplistic dichotomy to say the least

In the end, this whole idea of ourselves enduring constantly and forever is a myth, we will most likely, just like the billions before us, be forgotten. And rather than that being a pessimist view, I find it comforting. Even if you're working or not has been turned into a moral currency, you're a good person if you work and contribute, and simply bad if you simply don't. 

I am currently going through a bigger than realised at first stage of Funemployment, no one has what I have to offer, but I must believe that one day someone out there will look at my life summed up on paper, and be interested, mustn't I? 

What a curious way to run the world

So it goes.

All pics from Tumblr, Pinterest, general searches.

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Bayeux tapestry, Castles

Managed to find a full graphic of the Bayeux tapestry, as above. 

The Bayeux tapestry depicts the events before the Norman invasion of England, eventually leading to the Battle of Hastings.The Norman invasion of England happened in the 11th century. It is one of the most fascinating times in history. As the saying goes those who do not learn from the past are condemned to repeat it.

There is a WHOLE BOOK of castle cross sections out there that I plan to get my mitts on one day, wonderful! Castles are a living reminder of what the harsh reality of the past was like. A lot of sieges were only successful because, though the castle and its defences held up, their food supply within dried up. It's a fascinatingly small detail, but of huge catastrophic importance!

Top pic pinterest, lower pic from Amazon!

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Mont St Michel

If ever I return to France, Mont St Michel is at the top of my must see list, apart from Guedelon castle of course!

Just last week this magnificently beautiful flood happened which turned it into a temporary island, what a stunning feature.

I have since found out about an intentional medieval commune near my house, only a short drive away, I shall have to investigate it much further!

All pics from Tumblr, last one from link above

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Guedelon/ Secrets of the Castle with Ruth, Peter and Tom

I freaking LOVE!!!! this documentary series. Ruth Peter and Tom are a historian and archaeologists respectively and they immersed themselves in the Guedelon castle site, which is happening AS WE SPEAK/ type/ read: an experimental archaeological site, building a 13th century era castle with 13th century era technology. Read about Guedelon here, this is so amazing!

If they use a nail, it is made on site by the black smith, all the stones are dug cut and set by masons, the paint is sourced from local ochre, it is just the most amazing series about total immersion in historical methods so they are not forgotten or superceded by modern developments.

Here they are firing tiles they have set themselves in the site kiln:

Ruth, Peter and Tom sleep in a replica medieval hut (probably only while filming, but hey the concept is wicked!) and they also wear the clothes of the time and eat the food of the time (Pottage!)

Here is Guedelon in 2004:

And in 2014:

It is a slow process, but when you think they are making everything and sourcing it themselves, its pretty damn amazing, I am captivated!

They even use a tread wheel crane on site, as depicted above from a 13th century manuscript.

BEST of all, you can watch the whole thing online!

Link to the first episode!

All pics from stills. The BBC have done a marvellous job with this series!

Enjoy!

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Neuschwanstein castle: inside!

What I wouldn't do to be back in Europe! 

Though I missed Neuschwanstein when I was in Germany, I have always been curious as to the castles interior, as well as its magnificent exterior! What a sumptuous kitschy delight!

 It reminds me of Liberace sans bedazzler ;)

Saint George slaying the dragon detail

Wikipedia IS a scholarly resource! Poncy university rules be damned!

 What rich details, you can live and breather history here, I visit many places on Google maps, alá street view for when I haven't had the chance to see them yet! 

Imagine waking up in corridors like these, a unicorn rounding the corner wouldn't be out of place

Pics from Wikipedia and Pinterest

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C is for...

One of my favourite books

Charlie's drinks, but particularly the Spirulina smoothie

Chameleons!

Castles!!

Other Castle!

The Cramps

Tumblr

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Make your eyeballs happy

Who and Where? had this saved on my comp for years

Egeskov Castle in Denmark

THAT dress Keira wore in Atonement

Flower ballet

All pics from Tumblr, one from Daily Mail.co.uk

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Peau D'ane/ Donkey Skin

Image heavy post alert. Anyone who likes fairytales should watch this

It's so colourful, vibrant, over the top in parts, so in other words, incredible!

The above poster is on my wishlist, I'd frame and hang this in my little hallway

It has a jewel-pooping donkey! that's a win-win situation always!

I don't want to 'talk' about it too much, suffice to say it's similar in theme to Cinderella (kindofish)

And a young Catherine Deneuve is beautiful as always in it

It also features quite possibly the best casket ever, feel free to submit rebuttals, preferably in picture form

All the pretty coloured pictures are making you want to watch it, right? 

Well you can, right here!

All pics from Tumblr

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