Irony
Irony is buying The Communist Manifesto at a bookshop, and the cashier having trouble because the capitalist barcode machine won’t scan it in. This actually happened. And I don’t even believe in communism either. Which makes me wonder why I bought it – impulse buy, perhaps. Damn all that capitalistic advertising.
Also in my biodegradable shopping bag was Plays by Anton Chekhov – I have read none of his plays, nor have I seen any of them. Yes, I know, a budding playwright who hasn’t even read Chekhov? Don’t worry, I’ll just go lynch myself now to save you all the trouble (I can use my specially made Chekhov’s gun to help with the process.)
Making up the third book is An Inspector Calls and Other Plays by J. B. Priestly. I saw An Inspector Calls when it was at the Lyric Theatre in Star City (if ever there was a theatre made for the small and intimate play it is the Lyric Theatre, yes? No.) Still, it was enjoyable, as was the “whole house being tilted up on hydraulics” effect, and the constant rain/fog as well. All very spooky/moody/misty/wet. Like Singin’ in the Rain except with suicide and secrets. And no music. Or joy.
Exams are over, so writing can begin once more. Bring it on, Act Two. Bring. It. On.


That’s exciting, getting back into writing. Good luck with it. Good impulse buys though, they sound really interesting. How did your exams go?
I haven’t read Chekhov either I’m ashamed to admit.
Thomas Cox
June 24, 2009 at 12:48 am
My exams went well, I think. I hope. Fingers crossed and all that. I should know in a week or two whether I passed.
And I haven’t written anything yet – making the most of my time as always!
thephilologist
June 24, 2009 at 8:39 am
Haha I know that feeling. I’ve got several hours free in front of me now and I’m looking forward to seeing how I waste them. I want to write, but in some ways its a leap of faith. Besides, I’ve lost track of where my story was going 😦
Thomas Cox
June 24, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Chekhov makes me want to kill myself with the last dying lines of sunset. It really really does. Also the communist manifesto is cool… yeah cool. except they gave it a shot and they stuffed it up. My question is, should we do it again? You know… you go on a roller coaster, there a mechanical fault, you’re stuck in midair for half a day until a fireman gets you down. they fix the error, do you try again?
kaefka
June 27, 2009 at 4:32 am
Well, I suppose it’s all a question of whether we should believe that humans are kind and generous all the time, doesn’t it? After all, communism works in theory, but when you put it into practice human greed, etc, takes over and ruins it for everyone. And anyways, what if the roller coaster failed everytime you went on it? That doesn’t mean that it’ll fail the next time, but it doesn’t mean it won’t either.
Then again, I have to actually read the manifesto before I make too many comments.
thephilologist
June 30, 2009 at 7:54 am