Before I start, I was mesmerised this morning watching Randall Monroe's latest cartoon on XKCD here. Doesn't relate to the blog in any way, but do have a look, it is strangely beautiful - to me anyway.
So - a day off today, making a long weekend. Like to say I've done lots, but no. Waiting in for a delivery of flooring (due anytime from 8 - 5 and it's now 15:43...). Have managed to catch up on one or two domestic chores, and had a bit of a rest, and read a bit.
On Saturday I went to the Maritime Museum at Greenwich, which had an exhibit of Turner's seascapes. I struggle with visual art often - I struggle with a painting being better or worse thought of because it is by x rather than y, and on what 'good' means. But the little of Turner I knew suggested I would like it. I was surprised to find his smaller sketches and watercolours much more engaging than the big set piece oil paintings. The oils were I am sure technically brilliant, but the sketches seemed to have so much more life to them - particularly the ones of whaling and whalers.
Whilst in Greenwich, I had a look at some of the other exhibits. I guess most museums have to aim at children now, but there was little to engage an adult. I came across a small exhibit around the East India Company. This is something I know very little about - the Mutiny and, well, that's about it really. But this was a business, operating with all the effective powers of a state - with its own navy and armed forces. Exactly the sort of thing that people worrying about happening today as the power of the nation is seemingly eroded. A book has now been found and I will be working to improve my understanding.
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