During the Renaissance, cabinet of curiosities came into fashion as a collection of objects that would often defy classification. As a precursor to the modern museum, the cabinet referred to room(s), not actual furniture, of things that piqued the owners interest and would be collected and displayed in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Collectioun of Cunnynge Curioustes is my 21st century interpretation of that idea.
Dear Internet,
Listening
- Rumpole and the Old Boy Net
- Rumpole and the Sleeping Partners
I would not style myself as a Cumberbitch, but! If Benny is in a production of something (e.g. Sherlock, Cabin Pressure, Starter for 10), I am more than likely going to love it and Rumpole is no exception. BBC has commissioned Bennylords to kickstart Rumpole series, the famous curmudgeonly barrister by John Mortimer, but going back in time to when Rumpole was young. The 45 minute radio serial was a delight and Benny is exquisite, as always. The serials can be heard in the US.
Watching
- How To Get Ahead
Stephen Smith breaks down how to get ahead in various major times in history: Medieval, Renaissance, and then the French court at Versailles. While you won’t necessarily learn anything new about those periods, the content is presented in a logical and entertaining manner. - Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey
Neil deGrasse Tyson is rebooting Carl Sagan’s beloved Cosmos show for the modern viewer, and oft cheesy CGI aside, it is a damned delight. I feel immensely smarter and well rounded when I watch. - Episodes
Will Beverly and Sean go back to the US? Will Matt get finally get respect? What is going on with PUCKS? Will Carol get the recognition she deserves? - Doctor Blake Mysteries
Recently discovered, I’ve been slowly working my way through these stories. Based in Ballarat, AUS in the 1950s, there is all sorts of drama, twists, and character development. It doesn’t quite have the panache of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, another AUS period drama, but it is engaging. - The Walshes
Comedy about a tight knit, geeky Dublin family, the first episode was hit or miss. The purposeful awkwardness sometimes comes off as a bit cliched and forced. The gags and set up seem too over the top to be believed, but then there is brief sparks of warmth and genuinality. - Black Sails
Not enough swashbuckling, the plot seemed thin on the ground, and I couldn’t muster up enough interest to keep up with it weekly BUT TheHusband seemed to really enjoy the plot and the acting. Hopefully season 2 will pick up. - Jigs and Wigs: The Extreme World of Irish Dancing
We caught two out of the three episodes of this informative docu about the competitive world if Irish dancing — because who knew! - Big Fat Quiz 2013
Hosted by Jimmy Carr and packed with loads of celebrity panelists. Yet, if you watch QI, or hell even most British panel shows, you’ll note there are apparently only 12 people in all of the UK worthy of appearing on such shows. BFQ at least had the lone American (and woman!), Kristen Schaal, on this episode. Overall, it was mostly belly aching funny, except for Carr’s grating laugh which got tiresome as time progressed.
Weekly watching: The Americans, Survivor: Cagayan, Moone Boy, Edge of Heaven, Vikings, The Musketeers, Mr. Selfridge, Top Gear, Stella, University Challenge, House of Lies, Archer, Under the Gunn, Justified, Reign, Elementary
Links
- Anglo-Saxon ‘kings’ village’ discovered in Rendlesham
- “Tiger Lily Doesn’t Equal Human Torch” plus a very long rant
- NASA will award $35,000 to citizen asteroid hunters
- Die Hard With Pugs
- Your Fairytale Name
- Why Do We Only Care About Programmers?
- Point & Click: Street Stencils Show Tourists Where to Shoot
What have you read/watched/listened to this week?
x0x0,
lisa
