Have you ever wondered to what extent the books we read as kids somehow become a part of us and how much they influence us once we grow up? Have you got your special book that you just know you are going to make your kids read one day, whatever their level of enthusiasm might be...?
Well, this little sentimental moment was actually brought by my coming across the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling these days. Guilty as charged, I have read them, maybe without that thrill that you get when you discover, you know, The Book, but with let's say decent level of enjoyment. Undoubtedly, it is not the best book of the 20th century, but I honestly cannot comprehend where all the hostility towards it comes from...What I find absolutely amazing about Harry Potter is that one way or another it taught kids to read again, and to love it! Kids actually got excited about books, and I honestly do not care to what degree we owe it to Rowling's literary style or to some very clever marketing - it worked, mission accomplished! In my eyes, Rowling deserves every penny she has earned...Especially with her own story being so inspirational (and I do mean to use such a big word here...) - it actually is fabulous to see that our lifes can turn around so wonderfully, and sometimes all we need is just a little belief in a bit of 'everyday magic' ;)
Let me share with you my latest musical discovery...Actually she has been around for a while now, but I must admit hearing that song made me see her in a totally new light...Ladies and Gentlemen, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga – The Lady Is A Tramp:
OK, Tony Bennett being Tony Bennett, there are no surprises here. Gaga though...Wow...Even though I have never been particularly fond of her, I have always had a sneaky suspicion that she actually can sing...And here she is, no fireworks, no weird staff, no show, just good voice, good song and a truly enjoyable performance. I guess this is the measure of a good artist - even if shocking is her daily bread, she managed to surprise most when she is just ... normal and good! Enjoy!
Have you ever wondered how the rags to riches stories really work? How come some people just get a break? Pirates of Silicon Valley definitely make you ask yourself this question, in a thoroughly entertaining and amusing manner. Martyn Burke did an excellent job documenting the story of creation and,well...,rise to world domination of Apple and Microsoft. Far from being a huge fan of Steve Jobs' (and in fairness after watching the movie I am even less of a fan of his...) but at the same time you have got to admire the guy who managed to turn technology into religion... How do you make people follow you with devotion often bordering on insanity? Does it take a real genius? Hard work? Or just the sixth sense for very clever marketing? Can one actually make it without turning into a pirate and treating the distinction between inspiration and theft very loosely...After all, as Jobs said himself Good artists copy, great artists steal...Well it is open for discussion, I for once am very happy that I can just click on an icon on my desktop to make the computer work...
Can't think of a better way to start blogging than coming back for a while to one of my favourite books ever - The Witcher by a Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. I suppose it is fair to say that Sapkowski is to the world of Polish fantasy who Tolkien is to the English speaking world. Oh I remember the days when you could bet that there would be at least five people on the bus you were taking reading his books...Well, I won't even try to recall the number of earthly possessions I have lost on trains or bus stops I have missed cause there was just one more page till the end of a chapter...The Witcher saga is just impossible to put down...And it is not just because it was like a breath of fresh air with the unusual characters, such as the main character himself - a mutant monsters assassin Geralt with his gloomy peculiarities and strangly magnetic personality or absolutly not princessy Princess Ciri. I think Sapkowski managed to find that often elusive golden balance between popular and literature proper, if I may say so. As he emphasised himself many times, he likes to maks his readers work - he believes in a reader's intelligence to the extend of throwing in few untranslated passages in French or Latin every now and again, as a little brain teaser I suppose..And thesis have been written about The Witcher's clever play on Slavic mythology. At the same time Sapkowski's witty and ironic style of writing with subtle (and in fairness hilarious) references to modern times explain those people on the bus with his books in hand giggling away to themselves...Isn't it what great literature should be about after all? Not only make you ask these life defining questions but also or above all be enjoyable and simply pleasant to read?
What are the two most important things you need to know about me?
Passion for art – in its every form, from visual art, through music, to literature.
Deep admiration for the marvel of human communication through a whole range of media and across all the cultures and languages. And isn’t it just amazing that we can now code it all and share with the whole wide world?
I'm pleased to welcome you to my blog! It's just my little corner of the virtual world where I hope to share with you my thoughts on what I love. So without a further ado, let's get blogging!!
