Saturday, January 26, 2008

the wind

Well, considering the only view I’d had of the North before I was so involuntarily transplanted here was from films about people taking all their clothes off, at the drop of a hat, as it were, the weather in these distant latitudes has been most un-cinematically inclement lately. last week it was floods and then on Friday the wind, and, as my neighbour claims Letty can be seen saying through the cowboys, dust and wurlitzer, it’s been right proper drafty. even my husband has been affected by the weather and has spent most of the day clinging to the sofa repeating there's no place like home, there's no place like home. Actually, my neighbour told me recently I reminded him of Lillian Gish. I asked him if it was because we shared that rare quality of fragile resilience but he said it was because I was a rather melodramatic, wore silent film make up and seemed to think it was still the nineteen twenties. I ask you, do I come across as some monstrous caricature to you, Sigh...

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, Rilly, we have been enjoying the 'Slapstick' Silent Film Festival here in Bristol recently.. It will be on again next year. It featured a guest appearance from Nicholas 'Just a minute!' Parsons, and a lady who had been in a Laurel and Hardy film !

Perhaps they will invite you as a guest speaker next year ? On a rather more amazing black and white film related fact - check out this article..

http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2247274,00.html

Expat mum said...

You remind me of one of those Pioneer women - braving it out in a strange land, where the people speak funny and eat stotties, williks and black pudding.

Penny Pincher said...

How dare he call you a 'melodramatic whore' the nerve of the man ...!

Penny Pincher said...

I've just realised she's holding a pistol - I thought it was a bottle of Newcastle Brown - perhaps I should get my eyes tested.

Mutterings and Meanderings said...

Melodrama is the only way to cope with the grim north, Rilly dear ..

aims said...

Rilly darling - just look at how tiny and fragile she is - and that hair! That dress!

Perhaps you've been seen terrorizing the village with a gun? Is that what your (jealous) neighbor sees?

Arthur Clewley said...

Rilly, where did you get that photo? That's Mrs Clewley making sure I wipe my feet when I get in of a night. What can I say, she's very houseproud...

Nunhead Mum of One said...

I see you as dark and mysterious Rilly darling....dramatic even. Could it be the williks?

Mopsa said...

Rilly - if that's a recent picture of you, you are underage and shouldn't be let out on your own. Who is in loco parentis? And who left a gun for you to get your mits on? Should I call the Social?

Frog in the Field said...

Get hubby some Ruby Slippers, quick smart!
It's been 'darn right drafty here too'!

Anonymous said...

Talking of melodramatic films set in a grim wasteland.. Have you seen 'No Country for Old Men' yet ?

Very good, but very violent. I am not normally a fan of thrillers, but this does show a side of American which doesn't often make it onto the screen. 'Thelma and Louise' it ain't..

Anonymous said...

Wind? Inclement weather?

You should move to the Septic Isle, Rilly.

Last weekend I was on, yes I was, my sun lounger in the back garden between the hours of 1 and 3pm!

Heaven.

Anonymous said...

Condolences if you're in Durhm as your photo suggests (i'm pretty sure that's Durhnm Castle?). i went at uni there for 4 years and may go back to PhD if i get funding, this October.

Fucking Geordie pie-eaters, tattooed freaks and gnarled thugs high on coke and Stella, they are, i fear, the native population. If you are in Durham or thereabouts you must impose order on the natives with violence, with a firm hand, with a lead pipe and studded boot.

Arthur Clewley said...

I take it your PhD is not in geography then elberry

Anonymous said...

Oops, it's not Durham then.

Pig in the Kitchen said...

no no no, your neighbour is definitely wrong. I like the idea of your silent film make-up tho...
Pifgx
or pigx

Anonymous said...

'Right proper drafty'? Now you're rilly learning proper Northern Speak Rilly and I can't help feeling proud for and of you!

In the meantime I agree with the Frog that you need some ruby slippers to complete the outfit. Clickety click!

Livvy xxx

Nunhead Mum of One said...

Rilly darling, whip over to mine as soon as you get a moment.......I have a little something for you under "E is for...."

NMO x

rilly super said...

anonymous, these films don't get shown enough on the big screen nowadays. The furthest back my cinematic visits have taken me lately is Brief Encounter. I suspect that Laurel and hardy might be banned this side of the Pennines though, with Stan Laurel being from Lancashire, sigh

expatmum, you're right you know, but all those wagon train folks didn't know how well off they were. We poor southern pioneers up north can't even pull the wagons around in a circle, what with living on a one way street and everything

ladythinker, melodramatic w***!? I fear you are putting words into his mouth dear! and as for the beer/pistol confusion it's a mistake often made around these parts, a gel asks a chap 'is that a gun in your pocket? only for him to pull out a bottle of beer and say 'thanks lass, I'd forgotten that was there', sigh

oh M&M, at least someone understands me. we should meet up for a girls night out, two black and white heroines getting away from that man with the large organ for a few hours..

aims dear, she was very beautiful as a young girl, and as befitting a goddess she did actually live to be as old as God I believe

arthur, thanks for dropping by. I'm pleased to hear the natural order of things reigns in the Clewley household

rilly super said...

nunhead mum darling, I can assure you the doctors declared me clear of the williks when I was still at university and it hasn't recurred since

mopsa, there's no need to call social services dear, although at least they wouldn't take the children away, I'm in the social class that gets the children they take away from poor families so I'd probablt end up with more than I started with

frog in the field, the ruby slippers would only lead him along the yellow brick road to the station and the train to London, sigh

anonymous, I haven't seen that film dear. I'm not sure if it'll be shown here as it seems sometimes you have to be an old man to live in this village, some nonsense about young people not being able to afford houses. I ask you, if I can afford two then there must be plenty to go round...

sarnia! long time no see. I could sit on my sun lounger you know, I just don't own that many jumpers, sigh

elberry, how lovely of you to drop by and share your insight into northern life. It's only because the renovation is at such an early stage that my little place reminds you of your student residence dear

arthur, really, what degree syllabus is going to include 'recognising the town you lived in for four years'?

PITK, thankyou, actually it does help one stand out against the snow

english courtesan, oh dear, if I am beginning to sound northern I really must be more careful. I must take a trip to harvey nics to try and wear it off, and pick up some ruby jimmy choos

nunheadmum dear, awfully intrigued, I'll be right over