O.R. Melling's Blog, page 3
July 20, 2023
Tyrone Guthre Centre for the Arts at Annaghmakerrig
July 3, 2023
Back to Writing SOON
Heading for the Tyrone Guthrie Centre for the Arts this month where I'll return at last to my travel diary The Deep Road to Santiago written in the haibun style of Matsuo Basho, 17th century master of haiku. He wrote about his pilgrimages around Japan in short passages of lyrical prose accompanied by haiku. His masterpiece Oku no Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North) is known to every school child in Japan even as Dante's Commedia is known to every Italian. Like Basho, my haibun will feature landscape, shrines and churches, experiences with fellow pilgrims in hostels,convents and monasteries, and moments of magic and spiritual epiphany. The book also includes black ink drawings. Halfway through a second draft, I haven't looked at it for over a year. Last year I went a-wandering around Canada and India. This year I've been a taker of courses, attender of webinars and filler of forms (grants, residencies) as I upskill into creative tech, XR, digital and immersive art. Must admit, I'm looking forward to a dive back into old world writing. March 14, 2023
Immersive Storytelling: Scaling the Interface of Art and Technology
I'm immersed in a fantastic course at IADT (Institute of Art, Design and Technology) in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Learning about VR, AR, motion-capture (MoCap) and all sorts of futuristic amazing things. Despite the fact I'm a VRgin when it comes to creative tech, I'm eager to engage and ready to play.
January 16, 2023
Indiahhhhhh!
Not long back from a glorious month in India. First three weeks in Tamil Nadu, south India. Began in Pondicherry, formerly a French possession, famous for the Sri Aurobindo Ashram (also beginning scenes in Life of Pi). Took a day visit to the temple town of Tiruvannamalai where I got monsooned on after morning pooja with over 10,000 worshippers; myself and my pal the only Westerners in sight. After this we walked barefoot 2 k up the sacred mountain of Arunachala, the manifestation of Lord Shiva himself.
September 29, 2022
Nahanni River, Northwest Territories, Canada, August 2022
Well, that was one stunning experience, have to say. As you can see, I was pretty excited about it. (Photo credit: Jeremy Flamand)
September 2, 2022
The Fairy Faith at Theosophical Society, Vancouver
Giving a talk on fairies this Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Blavatsky Lodge of the Canadian Theosophical Society, 365 Gilmore, south of Canada Way starting 10:00 a.m. and running till 2:00 p.m. Open to the public. See you there!
August 16, 2022
Old Songline - HMCS YORK
Returned after decades to my naval reserve unit - "stone frigate" - on the shore of Lake Ontario. Wonderful welcome from the new Commanding Officer, Commander Paul Smith. The stories he has to tell! Encouraging him to write a book, his autobiography for starters. L to R the Coxswain, Chief Petty Officer Kim Sanderson, O.R. Melling (moi), Commanding Officer Commander Paul Smith. (Masking protocol as per DND)
August 12, 2022
Book Club Interview
My second day in Canada, utterly jet-lagged but full of excitement, I was interviewed by my first & former Penguin Canada editor, Cynthia Good (who went on to be President & Publisher) for Good Books, Holy Blossom Temple Synagogue. Went over an hour, lots of chat & laughter.
August 6, 2022
From Ireland to Canada
Great flight from here to there via Air Canada but they bashed my new suitcase and say "we'll get back to you in 30 days - maybe." Wandering around Toronto, forgot how beautiful this city is. Strange to be a visitor in a place I grew up in but it has been decades! Off to Parry Sound today to meet old friends.
July 31, 2022
Almost On My Way!
My bags are packed, I'm ready to go. Canada here I come! Hope to blog more regularly as I travel. Still finding my way around new tech toy android tablet. ☺️
