The Imitation Game/ Alan Turing

(Pics courtesy of Wikipedia)

A Brilliant film about a brilliant man

Due to a book project I was involved in years ago, and a general love of history, the name Turing was familiar. When I learnt the full story of Alan Turing and his horrendous treatment from his own country after his service in the second world war, I too looked forward to the film starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Turing, and he did a brilliant job. I love this movie so very very much and could not recommend it more. Of course some aspects have been dramatised but what can we realistically expect from Holly-weird. The history of Alan Turing and the Imitation Game are things that can make me cry at the drop of a hat, the injustice of it all reminds me of Nikola Tesla (don't even get me started!)

This is a brilliant film that I could not tell you enough times to watch. Learn about Alan Turing and make your own mind up about what truly being of service to 'your country' is

X

The World's fair, Paris 1900

(Image source here)

Already to begin with, the poster art is incredible

And this was the entryway (source here )

Above is rare footage, courtesy of YouTube, MetalDrake channel

and below is the WONDERFUL documentary series People's Century, (uploaded by Jack black, no copyright infringement intended)

In the first half of the documentary, there is wonderful footage from the world's fair and people who remembered it talk about it (and its magical moving footpaths) the footage is enchanting! the whole of  People's century is brilliant.

(Image source here )

 the Eiffel tower and its lights display (image source here)

X

MYST television series

(image courtesy of Wikipedia)

Ah! children of the nineties who never owned any games consoles but had access to PC games rejoice!

A television series based on Myst is being made, though of course, when it actually comes out it shall be far more exciting! 

I spent hours playing MYST when I was young, it was brilliantly suspenseful and required a different kind of thinking!

And who can forget the brilliant soundtrack, still to this day I play it when I study, here's a snippet

Source: YouTube: DilandauMusic channel

Can't wait for it to be out! 

X

Alexa Chung style

Because which young blogger hasn't admired Alexa at some point?

Still thought her book was atrocious. All these people praising it, it was quite void of any real reflection? Fashion has so much potential to do so much more, but it likes its place in the ivory tower, looking down at the unstyled masses

All pictures from Pinterest

X

Natalie Portman: Harper's Bazaar

Natalie Portman looking incredible in Dolce and Gabbana FW 2015

Harper's Bazaar August 2015, you have done an excellent job! All the colours are spot on for this photoshoot, what a stunning dress!

Pics from Harper's Bazaar

X

Black and white beauties

Frida Kahlo, dynamic in pictures! What a life!

Audrey Hepburn (above and below) and her beloved deer Ip

Anna May Wong, breathtakingly beautiful!

Ziggy and Iggy

Martha Graham

Mia Farrow

Ingrid Bergman and Isabella Rosellini

Lady Ottoline Morrell

Theda Bara

All pictures sourced from Pinterest, just type in the name!

X

Bowie paper dolls

More Bowie paper dolls here! what a fantastical collection! I love this post for all its enthusiasm!

And just a picture of fantastic Mr Bowie with a fantastic Mr cake Source here

X

Witch trials

Witch trials are a particularly fascinating historical topic. We can look back now and think how un-scientific and ridiculous this must have been, this is the great thing about history, undoubtedly there will be things in our time that we find completely normal that future generations will look back on in wonder, asking why we bothered.

Below is a scene depicted in a pamphlet from the witch trials of Trier in Germany. They ran from 1581- 1593, and were one of the biggest witch trials in all of Europe.

Over 300 people died, but many guess that as many as 1000 people perished in these paranoid trials.

(Image source here)

And below is a monument in Vardo, Norway. in 1621, 91 people were killed. This memorial was opened in 2011. 

(Image source here)

What monuments to the pass shall our descendants erect for their ancestors I wonder

I freaking love history

X

EDIT: LAPHAM'S QUARTERLY (a wonderful treasure trove!) had this graphic, a brilliant way to make history fun and relevant: So you've been accused of witchcraft?! (click to enlarge)

The lost undertaker, Canberra

(Image source: here )

Going through an internet loop, I came across an article 'Mysterious undertaker riding a coffin appears on Australian lake' and was thunderstruck when I read that the 'Australian lake' in question was Canberra's very own (man-made!) Lake Burley-Griffin.

Was a literary archetype (Villain? Hero? Friendly reminder that death comes to us all?) here in the country's capital the whole time I've lived here? Did he float in from another state? And that most silly question people ask 'why would he do this, what does he want?' apparently when Mashable tried to contact a person they speculated was 'The Lost Undertaker' as he has come to be known, they received this email, apparently not from the figure they thought might be him.

'Unlike Superman, Robin Hood, Zorro, Spiderman, Batman and Wonderwoman, who all revealed their identity to the detriment of their purpose; The Lost Undertaker wishes to hide his true identity. His purpose is to give hope to the oppressed and put the fear of God into the oppressors, villains and rogues that surround us all.'

I for one kind of love this! This obsession people have with 'knowing' who people are dilutes the magic and perhaps the message (The Stig comes to mind). A solitary figure paddling around in the misty morning is an image many won't be able to remove from their mind, particularly when around the lake.

(Image source: here )

(Image source here )

(Image cource here )

(Image source here )

Some of the people in the linked articles talked to him:

“We asked 'coffin man,' 'Where are you going'? His response was, 'To Queanbeyan cemetery as I have a 3 p.m. grave site to prepare,’

The imagery and mystery he has managed to conjure is bang on, especially if he just wants to (perhaps, merely my own speculation) remind us all that in the end, death comes to us all.

(Image source here )

X

CODA: And maps and plans

A very beautiful animated short well worth your time to see

Wonderful! By And maps and plans

Sourcce: Youtube, as above

X

Step back in time

SJP

Bianca Jagger

Winona Ryder

John Waters and Iggy Pop

Mariannae Faithfull

Bjork

Raquel Welch and Ringo Starr

All pictures via Pinterest

X

Finally accessible lofty academic ideals...

(Source: School of life Youtube channel, link below)

The School of Life Youtube channel, here, is one of my favourite internet pit stops. In my weekly round up of trying to understand world events, and not be crushed by them, the School of life has a great narrative, a philosophical, slightly melancholy, but most importantly- an understandable narrative.

Though still a student (people love boxes and labels and people to put in the boxes with labels!) I find it frustrating and to be perfectly frank- annoying- how lofty academic ideals are held up on a pedestal, accessed by only the smartest most wonderful academics. NO! This is one of the places where the internet demonstrates its charm, in an age of information, ignorance is a choice.

The internet connects us with many dialogues, many ideas, many idealists. It can be an important tool (and at times, a weapon) of trying to further understand the world we are in. Many great works of art, literature, music and social commentary are at our fingertips. 

We can share a laugh with others: (Source: Sassy Socialist Memes, via their Facebook page)

We can access history, PDF's of books, documentaries. Philosophy, history and politics are for everyone, and for those with a greater interest, finally these academic ideas which remained so high on a much-praised shelf of inaccessible academia, are being widely proliferated for anyone to see.

Of course, though one must navigate a few crazy keyboard warriors and find primary sources and verify their facts, as the dark side of the internet is that any ridiculous view, no matter how extreme will be shared by someone else with an internet connection.

I love the work the School of Life Youtube channel showcases, finally 'big ideas' are broken down and shared in an arena where perhaps we can share a sense of perspective.

Images as credited

X

Ghost writer monster/ Gooey-Gus

THIS entry nails it! I was perhaps around 6 years old, and the bubblegum monster of Gooey Gus was as hard as it is to believe now looking at him- simply terrifying!

I was even convinced he would show up at school to get me, so laughable! A great albeit haunted memory, and a wonderful blog post, good to see I wasn't the only one scarred by this experience, as I am still quite bitter at not receiving my Hogwarts letter too, too much for one person to stand!

X

As linked above for GIF