I won’t repeat my many (mis)adventures from my solo vacation. In fact, it went rather nicely, without anything too horrible happening to me. I might later post pictures. One of the things I did miss, though, was someone to just talk to. Not anything deep, but the usual stuff, like: “wow, that building is like 300 years old” or “OMG, what a lovely view” and “Oh dear, it is rather windy up here”. This is all small-talk, but I guess that a) people love small talk; the little, obvious and insignificant details and our own comments about them, with someone else nodding (or shaking their head) in (dis)agreement. It makes us feel live. And b) when you’re by yourself you start to realise just how little there actually is to say.
Now then, my great friend (cliquer-vous ici) makes these lists of books that she read. She reads a lot, but since I don’t like being outdone, I will present my own list, which is a little less grand, but then again, I’ve either a) sightseeing, b) hiking c) doing nothing d)working, so there really wasn’t that much time left for reading. But I managed to get through 5 books. Granted, they aren’t exactly the pinnacle of world literature or the longest books in the world, but I enjoyed them nonetheless.
I read 4 Agatha Christie mysteries, all of which feature my favourite Hercule Poirot. I hope to apply his method of order and method, and my little gray cells in my study. I mean, the stories are strictly logical, but the constructions are mind-boggling, which I might as well apply to architecture.
- Mystery of the Blue Train - I found this OK, even though, as weird as it sounds, I find the Murder on the Orient Express a much more likely.
- Death in the Clouds – Also, good, but not quite memorable enough. Actually quite similar to the Blue Train.
- Mrs McGinty’s dead – Much more enjoyable, this is really a great one, also a little less wild.
- Halowe’en Party – You should be able to suspect the murderer although you might not suspect the motive. If you don’t see who the murderer is when the clue is given, shame on you!
These books are actually great, it’s much more enjoyable than CSI, Bones and all that jazz. It’s because as a reader, you are allowed to guess who the killer is. There is no microscopic trace of DNA that is conclusive (ie it’s either him, or it isn’t), or, God forbid, foot prints. Instead, you must exercise the little grey cells of the mind. This is what’s missing in entertainment nowadays. It’s not only physically passive, but increasing mentally passive as well.
I saw an episode of CSI: NY this Monday. It began as follows: A wild college party (really wild), where a body with its head missing is discovered. The body is still ‘fresh’ and the head is missing. Everyone at the party is completely wasted, passed out, etc… Then one of the police officers , after asking some questions says to one of the party people: “Thanks for answering, you are like the only sober person here”.
This sets the Agatha Christie’s reader’s little gray cells to work. A horrible crime like that was certainly not a crime of passion (the head is not present at the party). It shows deliberation, determination, and is not a crime you could commit while heavily intoxicated. As for opportunity, any of the guests could have killed the girl, however, only one was ’sober’ enough to do it. I did not know his motive, but I knew it was him. And guess what? It was him. Thank you, Agatha.
The last book I read was Towards a New Architecture by Le Corbusier. Although very repetitive at times, I am very glad I purchased it. It has great illustrations, and anyone interested in Architecture and design should read it. I must say it’s quite persuasive, though now we might know better (at least we think we do).
So, that’s hat I did in a nutshell. I might just do about my grand trip, Paris – Guernsey – London, which, despite not talking very much, was very enjoyable.
Peter S
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