Eight into Nine
I think of Vuillard as summing up this year for me because 2008 has felt rather like an anteroom. Not only have I spent many hours literally waiting, but since that car jolted into mine in early January it's as if my active life has been on hold. It was only at the end of this year that I was deemed not to have been in the wrong in that incident - and the acknowledgement of that seemed to release me with a sigh.
Strange, because this still is the Year of the Rat in the Chinese Zodiac - my sign, and so playfully thought that things would largely go well for me. Perhaps in a quiet way they have.
So, I am completing this year with a delightful hibernation: I have one book to read-in-the-daytime-without-guilt. It has been a wondrously varied collection: Alexander McCall Smith's The comfort of Saturdays, Cromwell's Head by Jonathan Fitzgibbons, Henning Mankell's The pyramid, and finally Dinner with Mugabe by Heidi Holland. This last should shake up the little grey cells and get me focused once more.
There seems to be a poignant moment every end of year, and for me it is the death of the playwright Harold Pinter. It is over forty years since I studied his work, but it made a huge impression on me, and I have always enjoyed encounters with whatever he has been doing since then. This morning in The Guardian newspaper is a reprint of a lecture he gave in the 60s, and it provides thought-provoking content for us all. The one particular thought which I shall carry into the new year is this:
What I write has no obligation to anything other than to itself. My responsibility is not to audiences, critics, producers, directors, actors or to my fellow men in general, but to the play in hand, simply.
Perhaps 2009 will be remarkably different for many of us - whether imposed, or chosen. In scribbling messages of goodwill to friends and relations over the past few weeks I have come to a realisation that what I want to wish for is that in 2009 everyone gets what they need.
Strange, because this still is the Year of the Rat in the Chinese Zodiac - my sign, and so playfully thought that things would largely go well for me. Perhaps in a quiet way they have.
So, I am completing this year with a delightful hibernation: I have one book to read-in-the-daytime-without-guilt. It has been a wondrously varied collection: Alexander McCall Smith's The comfort of Saturdays, Cromwell's Head by Jonathan Fitzgibbons, Henning Mankell's The pyramid, and finally Dinner with Mugabe by Heidi Holland. This last should shake up the little grey cells and get me focused once more.
There seems to be a poignant moment every end of year, and for me it is the death of the playwright Harold Pinter. It is over forty years since I studied his work, but it made a huge impression on me, and I have always enjoyed encounters with whatever he has been doing since then. This morning in The Guardian newspaper is a reprint of a lecture he gave in the 60s, and it provides thought-provoking content for us all. The one particular thought which I shall carry into the new year is this:
What I write has no obligation to anything other than to itself. My responsibility is not to audiences, critics, producers, directors, actors or to my fellow men in general, but to the play in hand, simply.
Perhaps 2009 will be remarkably different for many of us - whether imposed, or chosen. In scribbling messages of goodwill to friends and relations over the past few weeks I have come to a realisation that what I want to wish for is that in 2009 everyone gets what they need.
posted by Olga at 10:07 AM
5 Comments:
I didn't know about your accident and difficulties, glad that has been resolved to your satisfaction and great relief! Wishing you a better year, much creative abundance and whatever you hope and need! thank you for your friendship, Olga.
Your last paragraph reminds me of words from my great grandmother "if you don't change, life will"
Peace and Blessings and I love reading your blog.
Olga, your book choices go on my list of books to look out for (maybe because I'm a Year of the Rat, too). Here's hoping 2009 will be good for you!
Thank you all three. I hope that in 2009 I shall be able to visit your blogs more frequently, because I always enjoy reading them. You have given me much pleasure and food for thought, both essential input for wellbeing. Go well!
a beautiful end of the year post. i have sort of retired into a gentler world for me and i understand your words here. i hope this coming year brings you to understand your needs need better and makes you happy.
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