Author Archives: rdavies

the two key questions for one’s own consciousness and personal process are: 1. Do I feel free, especially innerly free from whatever limits, limitations, stressors, anxiety, fears, etc? 2. Do I feel a pleasurable or beautiful fullness and stillness–a satisfying inner … Continue reading →

The plot of Conrad’s novel is interesting enough to form the basis of a movie which Mark Peploe wrote the screenplay for and directed. The movie is voice-overed by Davidson, a character in the novel who has occasional contact with … Continue reading →

It is a revelation to go from Conrad’s earlier novels to this one, written as WW1 was starting. Conrad’s style changed greatly and his sentences are shorter and plainer while his diction is less obscure and much easier to digest … Continue reading →

“Thinking is the great enemy of perfection. The habit of profound reflection, I am compelled to say, is the most pernicious of all the habits formed by the civilized man.”

“Character is higher than intellect… A great soul will be strong to live as well as think.”

“My mama used to love me but she died.” –Hud As his father (Melvyn Douglas who won an Academy Award) puts it, Hud doesn’t do anything for anybody else; he is totally selfish and worried only about his own agendas. … Continue reading →

Dusk at the end of a beautiful, calm summer’s evening in August. I checked the side of the house where the vinyl garbage cans stood like sentinels as always. I had chained my bicycle to the fence that abutted them … Continue reading →

Screens and digital will never love you.

(after a Saturday family party) “Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments Will hum about mine ears; and sometime voices, That, if I … Continue reading →

A fast-moving documentary by Jeff Renroe made up of numerous film clips, interviews, and sound bites. ‘The King of Cool’ is revealed, warts and all, his failures as well as his successes. Interviewees include Robert Vaughn (who worked with him … Continue reading →