The Gate of the Year

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

"Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown!"

And he replied:

"Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."

So, I went forth, and finding the Hand of God,
trod gladly into the night

And He led me toward the hills
and the breaking of day in the lone East.

So, heart, be still!

What need our little life,

Our human life, to know,

If God hath comprehension?

In all the dizzy strife

Of things both high and low

God hideth His intention.

The Desert 1908

Marie Louise Haskins 1876 - 1957

This poem was quoted by King George VI

in his Christmas 1939 broadcast.

Early birds

Apart from one man sitting in a nearby cafe in St Mark's Square, our only companions were the pigeons. On our first day in Venice we arose at around 5.30 am to avoid the crowds.

There were a couple more people in front of St Mark's, but it was indeed a joy to be far from the madding crowd. These pictures were taken during our visit in May 2003. The other day we were discussing having "religious experiences", and we both felt that our visit to Venice was one such candidate for this description. As our gleaming varnished water taxi motored into Venice, our jaws dropped at the staggering beauty, the surreality of the architecture, and the set-like features of our own movie. Not one day of our trip disappointed. A return visit is long overdue.

As they say: nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

Bird of paradise

Luigi Lucioni (1900-1988)

Still Life - Bird of Paradise

signed and dated 'L. Lucioni 1941' (lower right) oil on canvas 30 x 26 in. (76.2 x 66 cm.)

Sold at Christie's for USD25,000 

I'm finding the last few days of Twenty Eleven to be rather unsettling. This time of year is usually one when I enjoy reflecting on the preceding twelve months, both the good and the bad, and I begin to anticipate, usually with a great deal of optimism, those that will follow. Whether this is because of the huge changes that have taken place throughout the world in the most unlikely and unexpected scenarios, or whether the economic situation seems eerily dark, I am not sure. I am in need of days of introspection. I am finding the hustle and bustle of daily life, which is exacerbated by the madness of commercialism, to be rather tiresome. I am in need of stillness. This rather beautiful picture, by one of my favourite artists seems to perfectly illustrate that requirement. 

Melt me

We were given an introduction to a couple living in Bangkok, so we invited them for a drink last night. They brought with them a suitably named present - Melt Me - a delicious looking box of handmade chocolates, which are mixed with matcha or green tea, and come from Hokkaido. These will no doubt get a devoured over the next few days, but it is a remarkably clever gift, considering my other half comes from Hokkaido, (a fact they did not know). Cocktails moved on to dinner at one of our favourite eateries, and it is nice that we got on famously, and will be seeing them again very soon. 

Chocolate covers caramel

The clubhouse at the swimming pool underwent a transformation in its colour scheme, from caramel to chocolate. I do think the new flavour is infinitely more sophisticated. Unfortunately I don't seem to get around to taking photographs of this area until the late afternoon, when the sun has hidden itself behind the neighbouring high rises, at the time of year when it is at a lower angle. So these do tend to make it look a bit sullen, but I assure you it's not.

Bangkok is currently experiencing cool breezy weather, (hence the ripples on the water today). This does of course mean that swimming is a bracing affair, and one I have not undertaken since Friday. However, our cool spells never last that long, so I will be back slicing through the water in no time. The change of colour is part of ongoing works in progress, enjoying a brief hiatus during the festive season, (which seems to be a feature of life here now too). This is both good and bad. Good that it is still being tweaked to perfection, but bad that it does not seem to have an end date in sight. But as I've explained before, time is not really an important feature of life here.

Pugilism day

Minoan youths boxing, Santorini, c.1500-900 BC

Perhaps the real reason why today is called boxing day - children fighting over the presents they were given on Christmas day.

Light

The chandelier in the staircase at the castle. October 2011.

The Queen's View

The Queen's View, Loch Tummel, Scotland. October 2011.

But which Queen?

Paraprosdokian (2)

16. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.

17. I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.
18. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
19. Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
20. There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.
21. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.
22. You're never too old to learn something stupid.
23. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.
24. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
25. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
26. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
27. A diplomat is someone who tells you to go to hell in such a way that you look forward to the trip.
28. Hospitality is making your guests feel at home even when you wish they were.
29. I always take life with a grain of salt, plus a slice of lemon and a shot of tequila.
30. When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.
31. Words of Wisdom "The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."
32. Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.

 

Images: Colours at the Castle; the landscape gardens, and ornamental pool. October 2011.

Paraprosdokian (1)

PARAPROSDOKIAN -- "Figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently used in a humorous situation." "Where there's a will, I want to be in it," is a type of paraprosdokian.

1. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on my list.
3. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
4. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.
5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.
6. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.
7. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
8. Evening news is where they begin with 'Good Evening,' and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
9. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.
10. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.
11. I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted paychecks.
12. Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says, 'In case of emergency, notify:' I put 'DOCTOR.'
13. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
14. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.
15. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.
 
Image: Conifers at the Castle; the burnside walk. October 2011.

Since you asked...

Well, this is what we've ended up with. Not the worst that it was, but tacky enough, to offend my delicate sensibilities. And yes, after the new year, the florist is going to get a few lessons too.

The backside of the tree; perhaps that describes it perfectly? 

My own attempts, in their early stage were these:

Stark, sure.

But if you recall, (care?), there was a theme of white lights only, and red, gold and silver boxes to cover the base.

This is our newly refurbished lobby. Frighteningly stark too, but you may appreciate that this approach is to try and eliminate horrors that creep in, when you blink. I was also mindful of not having a theme, or a specific cultural context. Thai artifacts can be extraordinarily beautiful, but to be so they require serious amounts of money, which our budget did not cater for.

The fabrics were chosen for their neutrality, durability and bearing in mind the usage; the carpet was created to incorporate those colours, which by necessity have to be muted and verging on the dark to hide wear and tear for as long as possible.

My initial photographs (night shots) were prior to some simple decorative pieces, (the urns from previously), and the re-instatement of the flowers, (but see above) were reintroduced, and before the Christmas tree dominated the dialogue. Minimalism is not my forte, but in public spaces it works well, providing the place is kept tidy.

The tree of strife

A sandstone statue of The Tree of Life, on my balcony

Those who have been following my blog recently will have noted the slightest vexation with the decoration of our building's Christmas tree. But I am now long since over that.

Recently we watched Terence Mallick's The Tree of Life, as depicted on this DVD cover. It does appear to have a high rating, but it was an unusual experience to say the least. There was an early sequence wthin it when I very nearly switched it off. Like a number of movies I have been watching recently there is a strong element of self-indulgence which may well be a jolly experience for the director, but for viewers it borders on the tedious. The only redeeming feature was the rather fine acting by the three young sons of Brad Pitt, and Mrs Brad Pitt. The rest of it would probably do quite well as a first time submission at movie school, (or whatever it's called).

So strife and trees seem to be my theme this week. I probably haven't quite flogged this horse to death enough yet; we'll see - still a few more days until the blessed event to do that justice. 

Plan B

The first plan for Leifnorris House, (later named Dumfries House)

The second plan for Dumfries House, signed by Lord Dumfries and John, Robert and James Adam. It is believed these drawings were made by Robert.

It is interesting to note that the higher cost determined that the first plan for Dumfries House was the main reason why the more modest, (but in my view) infinitely more elegant version was chosen. The cost for this was nearly GBP8,000 in 1754. Obviously a case of the less is more school.

Images are from the Dumfries House guidebook. 

Men in black

Wolfe at the door

I am going to make everything around me beautiful. That will be my life.

Elsie de Wolfe, Lady Mendl. December 20, 1865 – July 12, 1950

Lady Mendl's expressed ambition is one that resonates with me too. I do worry, it's almost becoming obsessive. And then of course there's the big question of definition. What is beautiful to me, might not be to others, (as shocking as that thought is).

In trying to avoid the abomination we quite often have seen here at the residence around Christmas time, I asked if I could supervise the decoration of the Christmas tree that is installed in our lobby every year. Accordingly, I spent some time last Thursday ensuring that the use sparingly approach was adopted in place of chuck everything in sight on it one of previous occasions. This was essentially the attachment of white lights to the artificial tree, (yes, sorry, but remember where we are). The only other adornment was an angel(-ish), stuck on the apex, and the base was to have boxes in gold, silver and red, surrounding it. All appeared to be going well, although I should have realised the potential for disaster when I was shown new baubles that the staff had purchased, rather than the paper requested to cover the boxes. Last Friday, I came down to the lobby on my way out to dinner, and discovered to my horror that my endeavours had been reversed, with flashing lights, incorrectly sized baubles, tinsel of varying colours and sizes, and to cap it all, (well the reverse actually), the tree was, as in previous years, now on a large glass coffee table with a forlorn piece of white sheeting hanging around it rather lamely like an ill-fitting table cloth. 

It was not the time to address this travesty, but naturally I attempted to do so. Subsequently on Monday I was able to partially reverse some of the worst aspects of this. In the meantime all the flora, (including the newly planted and therefore rather sensitive trees and bushes), in the forecourt and swimming pool areas are having almost every inch of their lives covered in white lights. The more is more school of glitz clearly prevails here, and fight it as I might, in the vain attempt at making everything around me beautiful, I will just have to live with this until the first week in January, when we shall be able to see these features in their natural beauty. That's of course if they've survived their electronic onslaught. At night we can probably be seen from the moon; perhaps even Mars.

Colour inside the lines

I think the insides of these shelves look rather stunning with their red and orange interiors. The effect is more dramatic with the black outline. Other colours would work well. The furniture maker Moissonnier uses the scheme to great effect in some of the pieces they make too.

These images are from Maison Française, (Oct/Nov 2006). Last night we gave a farewell dinner for our dear French friend, departing these shores for the mega metropolis of Shanghai, the one-time Paris of the East. We toasted our happy days here with Taittinger. Unlike the political establishment in France, I am extolling the virtues of that country, as opposed to their current extraordinary attempts at denigrating the British. Certainly no entente cordiale going on there. 

All good things come to those who wait

I am not someone who could be labeled an impulsive shopper. In fact the opposite is true. I coveted this convex mirror in the shop when I first saw it about nine months ago. I went to look at it several times, (a ploy I frequently use in my mind I think to talk myself out of buying something). I even took my sounding board, (better half), to view it with me, and despite the goading to just buy it, (dammit), I wavered once again. The next time I went, determined to buy it, it had apparently been sold.

Yesterday I was on a quest for something quite different, but by chance passed the same shop, and lo and behold, there was the gigantic convex mirror, (it's 76cm in diameter), in its black frame with gold inner rim. And it was being offered at a 50% discount. My original reason for buying the mirror, discussed here, was to remove the James Ross paintings which I was noticing were the direct target of afternoon sun on their 275 year old delicate canvases. This problem, as I recounted, had been resolved. But I wasn't completely convinced about the solution that I had found. The fan print sort of worked, but not as gorgeously as I had hoped. Et voila, the proper solution presented itself yesterday, and today the mirror hangs in its rightful place. Thankfully I hadn't completed the recent re-arrangement, so the wall holes have not required too much adjustment. I'm so delighted I could practically dance. Lest anyone accuse me of narcissistic tendencies, convex mirrors don't actually cater for those!

A Dance to the Music of Time

A Dance to the Music of Time by Nicolas Poussin 1634-35, Wallace Collection, London

We are in the midst of watching an adaptation of Anthony Powell's twelve volume cycle of novels which, (according to that great know-all, Wikipedia), is an often comic examination of movements and manners, power and passivity in English political, cultural and military life in the mid 20th century.

I once read the first volume, A Question of Upbringing, but I don't recall going much beyond that. However, I can strongly recommend viewing this Channel 4 series of four films if you enjoy a social history of Britain from the Twenties to the Seventies. It's a thinking man's version of Downton Abbey, with all the joys of costume, design and set. In some ways it sums up the adage, "Wealth is wasted on the rich".

Girl talk

Chinese School: Figures in an Interior Setting, Oil on canvas, framed. 19th Century, 19 1/4 x 24 1/4 inches (48.9 x 61.6 cm). Estimate USD2,500-3,500. For sale at Michaan's Auctions, Alameda, CA.

One assumes these ladies are not the best of friends. The one standing next to her companion on the bench appears to be whispering or laughing into her sleeve. The woman with the young girl appears to be pointing, and one cannot imagine it is an act of politeness. The picture has delightful colour combinations, particularly the red lattice over turquoise. Perhaps the one in green is making the comparision about the dress code of the lady sitting, as in, "Who would wear a dress like the curtains?".

Raise a glass

I don't know whether these are still made, as they are a tear out from an Elle Decor in November 2008, but they strike me as a very elegant combination of modern and classical. Perhaps it should come as no surprise, as they are made by Paris-based 5.5 Designers together with the iconic French crystal house Baccarat. The Apparat collection is the superimposed silhouette of historic Baccarat pieces onto contemporary shapes. 

In the red

One of my commentators on the newly refurbished pool stated how much they liked black-tiled pools. I agree with this, and the one at Amanpuri, in Phuket is a stunning example:

Recently I was thumbing through a slew of design magazines, and came across two examples of red-tiled pools, (as above). The first is from an hotel in Sao Paulo, and the second from a holiday home in Puerto Rico. Despite having a sanguine approach to life, the red leaves me cold.

Bare necessities

The recent flood disasters in Thailand have left supermarkets short of a number of items - obvious ones like bottled water, loo paper, tissues, cleaning products etc, but the biggest pain at the moment is the lack of soda water and tonic water. A combination of the depots that store these and the factories that make them being still surrounded by floodwaters, makes deliveries almost impossible. Last week I found a source for the soda, but alas today it too was depleted. However, I was a man on a mission, and have now found another source, which I imagine will also fast disappear. As I was on my own, and not in need of an arm-lengthening exercise, I restricted my booty to only ten bottles. Unfortunately the shop does not deliver either, and as a beggar rather than a chooser, I will have to make another surreptitious trip with the help of a bearer or two, to pick up a further hoard. There is of course no one who can tell me when normal supplies will resume. Somehow 7-Up or any other fizzy stuff makes the joy of drinking vodka completely muted. I suppose dry martinis might be the answer, but we all know the outcome of that road to ruin.

Tangled web

Antique Japanese okimono representing a group of baskets. The ivory baskets have intricate carving, different shapes and decorations. It dates to the Meiji period and is not signed. Length: 9" (23 cm.). Width: 6" (15 cm.). For sale at auction at Bureau Art Gallery, Madison Avenue, NYC. Unsold.

Testing the waters

We passed up the dubious honour of christening the pool on Monday when it re-opened after its six month renovation. As mentioned, there was some desire to open on Monday to mark a public event, even if not all aspects of the project are completed. Nonetheless, on Tuesday with no one else around, we took the plunge, and resumed our exercise habit, repeated once again yesterday evening. It's nice to have it back. I was, and remain slightly unsure about the colour choice of the clubhouse cladding, but it does quite distinctly complement the aqua (obviously) tones of the pool's rough hewn stonework tiles. The landscaping is in my opinion quite inadequate, and will like the other "defects" need tweaking before we should accept the finished work. The frangipani trees in front of the chaises longue need time to settle, and for the delightfully scented flowers to provide the joy to those who like to lie in the sun, or indeed gaze at the stars. The palms are currently struggling too, but in due course they should be happy enough. For those of you who may recall, this was the scene when I left in September. Other aspects of the renovation are gradually coming to fruition, but rectifying the niggling detail seems to be painstakingly slow. But the devil is in the detail. Oh yes. I'm currently using a softly softly but persistent approach. I wonder how long that will last!

Brass bats

The Road to Parnassus wrote recently about the use of the bat motif on furniture, both from China, and Europe. I mentioned that I owned a pair of red lacquer wedding chests, and here is the catalogue image of them. Unfortunately they are not with me in Bangkok, as we left them behind in storage when we moved here. We bought them as an anniversary present in 1992. You will note a slight variation in the execution in the cross bar between the legs at the front. Within the cupboard there is a single shelf in the middle of each and with a wine rack, this afforded an excellent storage for bottles, in the dining room, where they used to live. 

These two images of the last dining room where they resided were taken by two different professional photographers, so their interpretations are amusing in themselves.

Royal Fireworks

Last night from our balcony we watched fireworks across the Bangkok skyline, as they were ignited at about eight o'clock to commemorate the 84th birthday and 7th cycle of the country's monarch.

We preceded the illuminations with a souvenir from our recent visit to Perthshire - pheasant pate - and accompanied that with our latest tipple, a glass or two of chilled dry sherry.

The building commemorated the day by re-opening the swimming pool, after its renovation; more about that to follow.