W. Somerset Maugham

 

born 1874 - died 1965

 

I'm feeling inspired to read. Not that I don't read, I often do whenever the mood takes me. So I sensed Somerset Maugham and it's going to be his short stories. Good enough for my attention span in a restless month. When I say "sensed" there was something instinctive around today.

In one of my reflective moods today. Ok start at the beginning, been bumping into people from my past today. Significantly, one friend I grew up with, even though years go by we always seem to pick up wherever we left off. Food for the soul and a real joy to catch up. The catching up was a 2hr coffee!

As the sky was changing to darkness, at about 3.30pm the sun had turned a red colour shadowed by some wandering clouds. I pondered my day so far and thought about reading. Don't know if it was word association with sunset, as I looked at the burnt coloured sun I thought about Somerset Maugham.

Time for just me in silent peace, costs nothing only a little bit of time to connect with this "food for the soul" that nourishes. So much over a period of time has had me considering the needs of others. I forgot myself, she was their but sitting somewhere on a shadowed cloud waiting like a love lost.

Again I had the opportunity for inspiration early evening in Edinburgh. Chatting frivolously with another friend who has a vast knowledge of books and years experience of writing. Amused with me as I romanticise life in my adventure seeking way. Oblivious to my recollections earlier on today as we engrossed in conversation. I was stopped in my tracks when suggested by my friend something to read. Yip it was him, the man himself..Somerset Maugham!!! How bizarre, of all the people, books, poetry blah blah blah that could have been suggested it was "that guy".

Isn't it interesting how things present to you, like an offering? So I may go on a short journey and see where it leads. Down Somerset Maugham's path of short stories. Liza of Lambeth is my first port of call.

SCI FI....EROTICA

 

 

Remember the film Alien anyone? Scared the pants off me! Well my claim to fame was while on a night out some years ago in Edinburgh I shared a drink with a guy that was in this film which was the sequal about the prison planet. He played the prison governor and was eaten by an alien. He drank Campari and Lemonade!! He's dead in real life I believe

Anyway if anyone is interested in SciFi there's an informative website resource so take a look it's: http://www.scifipulse.net

Also there is a healthy British development in erotic comics. So for any comic buffs out there who may join me in thinking Tim Pilcher is pretty cool maybe this will tickle your taste buds:

 

 

Tim Pilcher's Erotic Comics: A Graphic History, Volume 1: From Birth to the 1970s book (pictured above) has been banned by Australian customs from entering the country. Customs have demanded that a special large sticker with an "M" on it must be placed on the cover—indicating that the book is for “Mature Readers”—otherwise the books will be prevented from being sold in Australia. Tim Pilcher said, “I find it ludicrous and risible that the Australian authorities need a big sticker to point out the book is for ‘adults only’. Surely the word ‘Erotic’ in the title gives it away? Perhaps they got confused with the word ‘Comics’ and couldn’t believe that adults read sequential literature!”

 

The second volume in the series (pictured above) is due to be published on 8 January 2009 in the UK (the American edition is to be released by Abrams ComicArts on 1 March), picking up where the first volume left off, revealing how European, American and Asian artists have explored the possibility of the form in the years since the explosion of the Sixties’ underground comix.

Erotic Comics: A Graphic History, Volume 2 examines how the form has become an international publishing phenomenon by showcasing artwork that has inflamed desires, incensed censors, and caused controversy. This provocative title covers everything: the erotic comics explosion in America in the mid-’80s; the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender comics scene; UK and European erotic comic creators since the ’70s; and the Japanese hentai phenomenon. The future of erotic comics online is also explored in this fascinating and surprising volume.

In the first survey of its kind in over 20 years, volume 2 completes this fascinating two-part chronicle with previously unpublished, rare and out-of-print material, featuring insights from key artists, editors, and publishers. Fully illustrated with stunning, rare and seldom-seen art by Howard Cruse, Gengoroh Tagame, Melinda Gebbie, Hunt Emerson, Howard Chaykin, Giovanna Casotto (whose work graces the cover), Tom of Finland, Milo Manara, Junko Mizuno, and many other top erotic cartoonists. The informative text provides a sexy, intriguing, and entertaining tour through the origins of an often-overlooked art form and comic book genre.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

Sunday, 23 November: Conversations: Stripping Off - Erotic Comics
4.00pm to 5.00pm Nash & Brandon Rooms, ICA Tickets: Each talk - £6, £5 concs, £4 members (All three of today's talks - £15, £12 concs, £9 members)
A romp through modern X-rated comics with Erich von Gotha, Lynn Paul Meadows, Garry Leach and Wicked Wanda writer Frederic Mullaly. Hosted by Tim Pilcher, author of Erotic Comics: A Graphic History. With The Erotic Review & Ilex Press

 

Anyway my favourite scifi erotic film has got to be Barbarella (1968) with Jane Fonda how sexy is she?