I saw the clock change into a sundial

Read this. Shoulda done so when it was new (2023). Ate up the background, especially when they discussed the program's "compositions" with real poets. However, said texts were mostly dull, what would be labelled laughably pretentious coming from a human author, or plain garbage. There were a small number of arresting lines - in hindsight, not enough to justify slogging through the entire collection of poems. No doubt a machine could fabricate way better now.

DG recommended this two-part doco about forgeries and faked provenance. (Made by the ABC, but also available on Netflix.) Could have had 20 minutes of repetition cut, yet fascinating nonetheless. Cast of colourful art-world identities, including one so slippery even the cops seemed impressed. Ultimately, it reminded me of the early days of hacking, when judges and juries didn't necessarily understand the significance of technical details - and crims often got off lightly.

More anime yays: "The Drops Of God" and - guilty pleasure - "Haibara's Teenage New Game+". Also finally gave "Reborn As A Vending Machine..." a chance and found I like it. Slowly making my way through the at-present two-and-a-bit seasons.

Speaking of Dostoevsky fine art, all of the finalists for the latest Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize competitions are available to view here -

https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/archibald-wynne-and-sulman-prizes-2026/

The Archies field is fantastic this year! I can't pick a favourite. Just as well nobody asked for my effing opinion :-)

Pizza leoparding

RS2 and I recently finished rewatching Season 1 of the remastered "Blake's 7" on Blu-ray. It had been 30 years between viewings for me (last time was on VHS) - even longer for him. The show is considerably darker than I remembered. I think the older and more analytical you are, the darker it probably becomes. The making-of doco on Disc 6 is worth a look. On to Series 2!

DL's new music zine was beaut, natch. His unvarnished concert reports are so entertaining, the singer or band is irrelevant. You always get a feel for the suitabilty of the venue, the composition of the crowd and the atmosphere, the timing of the acts and D.'s personal headspace, along with why the performance succeeded or didn't. His other non-gig articles are also beaut.

Women's State Of Origin 1 is tonight, in my home city. I kinda wish I was gonna be there, even though it'll be cold in the stadium. It's a shame they stage the ladies' Origin ahead of the NRLW season, since it means the players aren't in peak form and the coaches can only pick based on past glories. That said, I'm keen as an edamame bean for this clash. Let's go, Blues!

Eggplant-based diet

Congratulations to the Newie Jets for winning the A-League minor premiership.

Congratulations to me for reading this stout li'l HC. A lot of the information I already knew. Fun to go over it again, regardlesss. The most useful part was his "must see", "must play" and "must avoid" games for each system, a handful of which I need to check out on YT.

Machine wisdom

COMIC COVER OF THE WEEK

By Aaron Kuder. I don't mind T&A (I worked in men's mags for 17+ years), but there was just so much of it among this week's covs. Was nice to see someone creating proper art. Worth a zoom in order to admire the finer details.

SONG OF THE WEEK

"Axis" by Soen (Sweden). Prog metal that actually deserves to be called prog for the distinctiveness and depth. Love the variety in his vocals. Been spinning this on a daily basis and I like it more with every listen. New fave metal band?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0-kkSUKpW0

Commended >>>

* Live version of "Paiwei Back Alley" by Vinida Weng (China) = missing a hook. Love her flow, though.

* "Small Talk" by Ill Peach (US) = reminds me in a good way of Metric.

* "Summer Again, Sung To The End" by Egoism (Australia).

* "Here Comes That Crow" by Leenalchi (Korea) = imagine if I could see them perform in Copenhagen in November on their world tour! 

DEVOURED THIS WEIGHTY TOME

Read every word of the 440-odd pages. Is it better than "Worlds & Realms"? IMO, no. But it's an incredible collection of swords & sorcery illos, with some fascinating art-related revelations, connections and comparisons across the five editions. (Even if they oversimplify/sanitise the history of "D&D" in places.)

Charge and fine the boo birds

LATEST AUDIOBOOK ON MY DAILY WALKS

Blurb:

Summer 1914. A world on the brink of catastrophe. In London, 26-year-old Venetia Stanley – aristocratic, clever, bored, reckless – is having a love affair with the Prime Minister, HH Asquith, a man more than twice her age. He writes to her obsessively, sharing the most sensitive matters of state.

As Asquith reluctantly leads the country into war with Germany, a young intelligence officer is assigned to investigate a leak of top-secret documents – and, suddenly, what was a sexual intrigue becomes a matter of national security that will alter the course of political history.

Strength versus power

Wowed me a tad less than "Verily, A New Hope". I liked the way Lando, the Ugnaughts and the space slug spoke. Yoda and Boba were OK.

This combination comic-gamebook works so well. The structure is devilish, and you feel clever when you breach each invisible barrier.

Pot-fondling archaeologists

How chaos in US politics and turmoil in American society led to a revolutionary, industry-changing year in cinema. Convincing! My sole criticism: it wanders off the road (and cheats, e.g. mentioning "Star Wars") a little in the second half. Fab editing - there are moments when films are in a dialogue with each other.