Did you miss me?

I'm back, and I know I've been neglecting you loyal readers who have bothered to continue reading this blog.

Allow me to explain why my blog has felt so neglected and forgot: that old chestnut of school study has failed to be cracked as well as I had hoped, though it has been penetrated slightly. Now the chestnut has a hole in it, but not enough to remove the goods inside, unless I crack it more.

My brother has gone to University at Griffith University in Queensland. Allegedly there is a "Toga Party" tomorrow night for the new students: my knowledge of Toga Parties mainly comes from coming of age college comedies puts me in wonder whether I should be delighted or concerned for him.

What I understand a Toga Party is, is a party where young men dress in togas and drink and debauch like the Roman Emperors of old. I think my brother will be encountering a milder version of that, keep in mind the event is endorsed by the facility of the University.

Also, it appears I have finally understood my father after all these years, and he seems to be understanding me. A man who is decidedly patriarchal would not normally allow his son to get tickets to see Germaine Greer speak in a conference. Only a true father would make a sacrifice like that.

I didn't get into ArtExpress 2007 (now showing at the Art Gallery of NSW) with my Visual Arts Body of Work, but it seems that the artworks that did get in aren't half bad. Though the other half is dreadful. Very strong on Video Art this year, but the "HSC Angst Art" category, as always, never fails to disappoint in its delivery of disappointment.

For those who don't know, ArtExpress is an exhibition of student art from the HSC that got into the top band of marks and fit the criteria of the curator's "theme" for that year. This year it appears to be Technology. Go see it while you still can, if you're in Sydney at all this coming month.

Someone on LibraryThing.com pointed out this fabulous website of old paperback cover art. Here is the link:

http://www.bookscans.com/Database.htm

This is one of my favorite images from the site:



That's right. Love In Dishevelment, the "Short, Neat Chronicle of an Untidy Romance". Somehow this reminded me of my brother's now empty, messy bedroom, and it made me smile. It's like I'm finding bits of my brother to fill his absence.

- Jacob Martin
AKA "Jake of All Trades"