This is my second typewritten blog post in six years. I think I did a better job than the first time I used a typewriter to blog. This time I got the old Lettera 22 “calibrated”. That means understanding it’s personality (quirks). I was extra nice to it. Dusted. Cleaned. Gave it a fresh ribbon.…
Reblogged from The Magic Lantern: Having missed the screening of Ini Avan at the EU Film Festival last month, D and I were quite pleased to see that it was being screened at Savoy. So we set aside our Sunday (23rd) to catch the 1.30 screening at Savoy, Wellawatte. Responsibly, I checked the showtimes and [...]
There is an interesting line of Sri Lanka Air Force combat aircraft and helicopters (possibly helicopter gunships) on Google Maps (satellite view). In the tradition of my old Google Earth Posts I have included included a screen shot. For the nosy types, here’s the Google Maps satellite view link. Both show a tight line up […]
This is day what ever of my Twitter fast. Which began when I deleted the Twitter app on my phone sometime last week. The result feels odd. The most obvious is the lack of social media “snacking”. How to fill those odd idle minute or two? The ones too long for stillness yet not enough…
Seniority is power Unaccountable brutality is the true measure of “real” power Power must be demonstrated often – by sudden acts of physical and mental cruelty The prospect of random cruelty is an essential ingredient of fear Fear is the only true form of respect Servility and obedience are the only possible expressions of respect…
First time I’ve written a post with tears in my eyes. Me out of all people. A calm, cool, responsible adult during an economic depression. A vegetarian who dislikes animals. Except he’s not an animal. He’s family. The most simple guileless, loving soul I’ve encountered in my life. Referred to as “the third child” – … Continue reading Dog injured ...
This warning against dumping rubbish is a downgraded death threat. Version 1 had far dire warnings in 3 languages. I blogged about it long time ago. The current version seems tame. Yet it harks of technology (CCTV monitoring). The threat this time is to vehicles. Which hints that the culprits are not pedestrians. I don’t…
His cologne takes your attention before you see him. Forcing your instincts to turn and notice. That his Versace, Patek Phillipe and the rest are real. That you are in the presence of a higher power. A power that does business with men who toy with the fate of nations. Over food, wine and single…
This is not going to be polite. It’s the sort of comment that start brawls at dinner dances and weddings. Leading to bleeding cricket uncles, Machans, and oceans of precious single malts in the carpet. I would be unrepentant when hauled away. However, unlike cricket, I have an explanation and you are reading it. It … Continue reading Spectator sport ...
Curfew. An adult word. Floats across the power cut dark to the veranda. To us kids sitting around the carom board. Lit by a candle on an upturned Milo tin. Curfew. A thrilling word. It means no school. Waking late. Street cricket. Assorted fun with the gang along the lane. My ears pick up other … Continue reading Curfew, moonlight, and Sri Lanka’s War →
Three kids meant a small family in my parents’ generation. That vast cast of aunts and uncles is unthinkable now. In my generation, that crowd of siblings is replaced by cousins. Looking back, not being siblings made friendships easier. Our relationships escaped the inevitable frictions between siblings. In its place a sense of kinship through…
You must have heard the story countless times. A Sri Lankan builds an institution from nothing. It could be a company, government department, an organisation or a movement. Success makes it significant in its field. Then the vultures descend. Ending in a tragic collapse/demise before its time. What survives is the rubble of forgotten achievements.…
I’m not a car buff. Yet I’m quick to drool at old cars in fine condition. This mid 20th century Mercedes Benz is a classic example. Saw if cruising through the madness of Colombo traffic. It’s dignity got my attention before I realised how well maintained it was. Worlds away from the condition of another…
Write at any moment. Wherever you are. Even for a few seconds at a time. Use the time windows between the demands of life to move words out of your head. One sentence at a time. Piling your sentences into complete pieces of writing. Let the result make you happy. It’s what Nibble Writing’s about. […]
Music I like is too “strange/weird” for most adults. Most of it are in languages I don’t understand (not modern Sinhala or English). Triggering an instinctive “what’s that?” from whoever hears it. Short answers like “Tuvan throat singing”, “Baul music” or “an avant-garde Ukrainian folk song” are not enough. The inevitable prune faced expression forces … Continue reading Strange music ...
I avoid poetry as a survival instinct. There are a few poets that make the exception. Bukowski for one. Green Tea diaries is another. The first is dead. The second is not as prolific as she used to be. Thankfully there’s the latest member of the trinity “Life that Demands to be Noticed”. I’ve blogged…