The Swipe Volume 3 Chapter 12
Susie Dent says: ”Word of the day is ‘forswunk’ (13th century): exhausted from too much work. I like to think that ‘foreswunk’ is to be exhausted before you even begin.”
Your umble author is well and truly forswunk, it’s been a wild week. Therefore a slightly foreshortened chapter this week, with a hopeful long weekend ahead. I shall be laying a concrete patio. Pray for me.
Wherever you are, whenever you are, however you are, welcome to The Swipe.
Rob is reading…
The Hope That Kills by Ed James. Dark Scottish police procedural, tortured cop with a past, race against time, deep atmospherics. It’s all about the plot twists and the way the mechanism James has constructed snicks neatly together. Not the most cheerful read, but I’m hooked nevertheless.
Rob is watching…
The Secret Genius Of Modern Life. Doctor Hannah Fry indulges in gleeful teardowns of the devices which we find almost impossible to live without to winkle out the science inside. Like Inside The Factory, which shares the Open University backing, this show slips down easy, and you’re guaranteed to learn something. Hannah is the perfect host for this—nerdy and goofy while somehow also glam and flirty with the camera. The episode on motorways is well worth your time.
Rob is listening…
To an old playlist which pal Jillian is adding to. It’s sometimes good to tinker with your artifacts, especially when the things you got wrong last time just jump out at you. Do we really need a ten-minute Orbital track in there?
Rob is eating…
It’s king kebab season, so a big chunk of marinated skewered chicken is going on the kamado today to char and sizzle before getting hacked up and devoured with flatbreads, yoghurt sauce and salad. Men lay concrete, men hungry, feed men meat.
Rob’s Low-Key Obsession Of The Week…
Fluid dynamics, as it pertains to the smooth and level application of concrete to a less than even substrate.
The history of the most enigmatic figure in the Alien movies , and its ignominious end outside a movie theatre in LA. Giger’s work redefined how we consider otherworldliness, and his influence remains strong. Ridley Scott had to fight hard for his inclusion, and he was absolutely right to do so.
The Rise And Fall Of The Space Jockey
A little story with a very squishy ending from Dr. Phil of Funranium Labs. This could be horrible, but instead it’s hilarious because of the way he tells it. II guess I should issue a warning for the delicate of stomach.
I’m fascinated by the industry response to ‘Sinners’, a certified cinematic smash, an original non-franchise property made with care, skill and art. Why are outlets like Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter being so sniffy about Ryan Coogler’s latest.
Go, on, guess.
This is me all over, as I urge my San Marzano seedlings to power up and bear fruit for the table. When you grow food, you want results and fast. Sadly, nature just doesn’t work that way…
An Open Letter To My New Tomato Plant
With the inevitable caveat that one person’s wisdom is another’s stating the bleedin’ obvious, here’s Merlin Mann’s long list of life lesson. Glean what resonates with you, ignore the rest.
All other live streams are irrelevant. Pay attention to Mugs, he’ll see you right.
Let’s Outro with a tip from Pal Dom-Dom, a very groovy piece of synchronous sound, colour and movement from the master of the form, Norman McLaren. Synchromy looks digital but was entirely hand-crafted. Something overly to bounce you into the weekend.
See you in seven, fellow travellers.
