Errata is a web journal written by Robert Davis who has neither spent a night in a ghost town nor pulled a turnip from the earth. He doesn't even know if turnips grow in the ground. Perhaps on trees, like candy corn. Therefore, Errata is a non-commercial project.

Observation #1: It may be appropriate, when leaving a movie theater, to say "mysterious."

Observation #2: It may be appropriate, when leaving a movie theater, to say "mysterious" at the top of your lungs. Bring your eyebrows together before you say it. Effective!

Observation #3: Same for books. Even at libraries.

There is a prize for people who correctly guess the thing about Metropolis, Nevada.

Except where the text specifically states otherwise, Errata's vagaries are indicated vaguely and its authors are indistinct in the traditional way of the Internet, except where the authors lay claim to their work. In some cases Robert Davis lays claim to work that is not his own but has been abandoned like so many ghost towns. Except where held presently, fistfuls of dirt are suspended via dispersal, or dispersed via suspension (in the air), and thus their dissolution is their transcendence, or their transcendence is their dissolution. And yet our eyes tear, and our vision is impaired, demonstrating for the umpteenth time that one entity's gain is another's fit of sneezes. Except where indicated, storms shall outlive the clay upon which they rain, unless storms are improperly delimited by their clouds, which dissolve, rather than by their inevitable return. Thus the clay loses, unless the clay is said to own the storm, to use it to make itself heavy, to make itself cling to white garments, refuse dispersal, cake upon the facades of abandoned buildings, and sit like Man [sic] upon the earth where it is pelted by a storm that it owns. In which case the clay still loses, if you ask us.

Some of the above is legally binding and should be considered a mental contract between Errata and those upon whom it acts. The bit about the prize should be considered an overstatement insofar as prizes differ from dirt and prize dispersal differs from dirt dispersal. Please recall that ownership is a weight and, therefore, hope that you do not win the prize.

One day Errata or its representatives will call upon you for a favor. It is expected that you will hop-to without delay.

You may contact Robert Davis by email unless it's about the rock that was thrown in anger. The rock is more properly called a clod. Why do you continue to raise the topic?

6 November 2006

Elsewhere

I've been enjoying James Tata's reports from the bowels of National Novel Writing Month. He's taken up the challenge to write a 50,000-word novel in November. To catch up, see his posts: considering, considering, one day before, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 5.

A review and discussion at Acquarello's place leads me to believe I may have been too quick to dismiss a little Peruvian film called Madeinusa. One day I'll have to see it again.

J. Robert Parks is back with a double-double-feature: Old Joy and 49-Up (an inspired pairing) and The Queen and The Last King of Scotland. I liked three of the four and fully expect to like 49-Up when I have a chance to see it. A couple of these movies in particular I keep meaning to write a bit more about.

In case you missed it, be sure to see Brian Darr's recent interview with Crispin Glover.

Posted by davis | Link

Reader Comments

November 6, 2006, 07:46 PM

James Tata

Hi Rob--

Thanks for the interest in my little project. It's been fun, and posting about it has, so far, kept me motivated.

I'm glad you're blogging again. I'm really glad you're back. I think yours was the first blog to add my site to a blogroll.

Jim

November 6, 2006, 10:57 PM

davis

Oh really. I didn't know that. I do remember discovering your blog. When I decided to steer this site toward movies, I was on the lookout for something with a different focus to help me keep up with other things, especially fiction. It paid off. I think I became interested in J. M. Coetzee because of your site.

Your project is great. If circumstances were slightly different I might be joining you, but for now I'm having fun living vicariously. I'm just glad you've managed to find the time and energy to file reports.

November 9, 2006, 04:38 PM

Brian

That discussion is making me lean strongly towards seeing Madeinusa at the Latino Film Festival a week from Saturday. I unfortunately couldn't make it to the Short Life of José Antonio Gutierrez last night.

November 9, 2006, 07:43 PM

davis

I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.

November 10, 2006, 08:49 AM

maya

I went!! Upon your recommendation and Michael Hawley's. It is, of course, a sad and devasting documentary. I had some issues with its meandering course until it dawned on me that these various portraits accentuated Tono's "everyman" (more "everyperson") status. As someone who knows Guate very well, it broke my heart to think this poor individual suffered so much only to suffer even more.

November 10, 2006, 09:09 AM

davis

Yeah, Michael, I don't know the particulars of the story and location as well as you, obviously, but that "everyperson" thing is exactly what I liked about the film, aside from its obvious emotional impact and relevance to current US politics. The director does a masterful job of giving us a picture of this individual -- in many cases by telling the stories of others! -- and simultaneously giving us a picture of many people in similar situations.

It's quite a balancing act, very subtle. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

June 9, 2007, 07:17 PM

Kat

I'd just like to say I find your writing intelligent, well thought out, inquisitive, and interesting. A true enjoyment to read.

June 10, 2007, 08:36 PM

davis

Hey Kat,

What a nice thing to say. Thanks very much, and thanks for stopping by.

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