Reykjavik´s most prominent visual landmark is the Hallsgrimskirkja named after Hallgrimur Petursson, a 17th century poet whose haunting hymns I have recordings of at home. It´s a twentieth century structure, in concrete, but it´s style so successfully fuses modern and gothic elements that it has a “timeless” look. It is equally pleasing in the interior. The statue in front of it is of Leifur Eiríksson (Leif Ericson). The residential streets around it have a pleasant jumble of old and new houses. Serious, Lutheran-looking cats peer from the windows. Next to it, there’s a rather spooky little enclosed garden filled with the sculpture of Einar Jonnsson, and a museum devoted to him. His work might best be described as “heroic fantasy”. In this garden setting, it is quite enchanting. I don´t think it would look as good in the cold light of a gallery. Read more »
Thursday, August 30, 2012 — Most People Get Lucky In Iceland
After a flight enlivened by bone-rattling turbulence and a madwoman making a scene in the plane, my first glimpse of Iceland was, appropriately, the bright glacier of Snaefellsjökell (see previous entry), followed by a rapid descent into Keflavik. From the airport, it was a hour´s bus ride across chaotic black lava fields to Reykjavik. Read more »
Monday, August 6, 2012 — Countdown to Adventure
In about three weeks, I’ll be landing at Keflavik Airport, in Iceland. While I do have some pre-set appointments, for the most part, I’ll be exploring that interesting country in my usual unplanned, eccentric way. I must cram as much experience as I can into a mere ten days ― not much time, considering how much that country has fascinated me over the years, and how much I’ve read about it. But reading about a place, no matter how thoroughly, is no substitute for walking in it, talking to its people, getting the smell of the air and the lay of the land. Read more »
FILMS – JULY 2012
(DeVito 1987) Throw Momma from the Train
(Tronson 1974) Father Brown: Ep.1 ― The Hammer of God
(Douglas 2010) Time Team: Ep.223 ― Litlington, Hampshire — There’s a Villa HereSomewhere
(Schaffner 1968) Planet of the Apes Read more »
First-time listening for July, 2012
22953. (George Frederick Händel)Belshazzar, Oratorio [d. Knothe; Schreier, Frank-Reinecke,
. . . . . Treckel-Burkhardt, Pohl]
22954. (7 Seconds) 7 Seconds
22955. (Youth Lagoon) The Year of Hibernation Read more »
READING – JULY 2012
23347. (Snorri Sturluson) The Prose Edda [tr. Jesse L. Byock]
23348. (Joe Haldeman) The Accidental Time Machine
23349. (Henry Kuttner) The Vampire [story]
23350. (Gustav Ungerer) The Mediterranean Apprenticeship of British Slavery
23351. (Gore Vidal) The City and the Pillar Read more »
Paul Oakenfold — Global Underground 004 Live in Oslo, 1997
This fine mix was recorded live at Cosmopolite Club in Oslo, Norway, as part of the Quart Festival. The two-cd set shows two rather different sides of Oakenfold’s considerable talent. The first cd is very mellow drum & bass merging into goa trance, barely dance-able, but quite entertaining to listen to. The second cd is lively house that would be best enjoyed on your feet. This comes from the period when the club scene was probably at its peak in Europe. Neither part is a “dense” mix (tracks come together only a few bars at a time). There is nothing here that has the impact of Tranceport, but it’s a good solid set. Lucky were the Norwegians on that floor.
12–07-01 BLOG Image of the month: The Incredible Team of Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk!
FILMS – JUNE 2012
(Russell 1958) Perry Mason: Ep.41 ― The Case of the Lucky Loser
(Warner 2010) Time Team: Ep.212 ― Piercebridge, County Durham — Bridge Over The River
. . . Tees
(Groening,Brooks & Simon 1991) The Simpsons: Ep.26 ― Homer vs. Lisa and the Eighth
. . . Commandment
(Taylor 2012) Game of Thrones: Ep.11 ― The North Remembers Read more »


