qcrisp

Hello everyone. Thanks for commenting. Sorry, I haven't checked these messages in ages. I miss Doctor Who, too. I've seen that film by the way. It's excellent. If you haven't read the story, I'd also recommend that.

I miss doctor Who and his telephone booth!!!

Thank you very much for sharing one of your stories with us Quentin. (I shall begin the some what complex task of beating my computer into printing out a copy tommorow)

I know strangedolls but the blog seems useful, there are always interesting links to discover. thanks..

Yeah, the TLO does the work automatically for you- it's a new feature. This video was fantastic -I live for such kind of things.. You know there is a village near the town I live where years ago people started fabricating life size dolls dressed up like normal humans which they would pose all around the village (performing everyday tasks or just seating relaxed) every summertime. Strangely it's not an ancient tradition but a thing the came up with to attract tourists (!). The outcome is very uncanny though. This year I'm going to take pictures of this - I'll let you know. I'll also write on Dare later. take care.

hello there

The Welsh Quentin Crisp? I wonder who that could be? I did get someone at the door the other day, looking for someone who did not reside at this address, who appeared surprised when I gave her my name, but she then took it in her stride, and said that her husband also had a "posh name": Dylan Thomas.

Arrgh! I've 'gone advanced' and now I realise I can't refer to your message. Just a minute...

Just had another peek.

Well, I shall have to look out for 'Benighted', and add it to my long list, which I attack in haphazard order.

'Your Tiny Hand Is Frozen' is another of my favourite stories of Aickman. I'm not sure I've ever read another depiction of falling in love over the telephone that's quite as convincing. Not that I've read that many, I suppose.

Ah, my apple-ogies, Herr Blackadder. I'm sure I'd picked up the phrase 'the Welsh Quentin Crisp' from somewhere, hence my earlier message. Perhaps you should change your name to 'Deed Poll' to avoid all this confusion. No, hang on, I foresee "Oh, so you're the other deed poll...."I wouldn't dismiss R R Ryan - even though his work is hard to acquire and decidely twisted from a psychological perspective - but cannot recommend 'Benighted' highly enough. It's a superbly eerie and atmospheric book - far superior to Francis Brett Young's 'Cold Harbour' in my opinion - and of course, was made into a fantastic vintage horror film by James Whale called 'The Old Dark House'. 'My Poor Friend' is one of the audio recordings Aickman made during his unhappy residency at the Barbican. According to Ted Klein, he thought he could hear noises through the wall - conversations, mostly - which may have inspired 'Your Tiny Hand Is Frozen'. TTFN,CB

We are both name-disadvantaged: I by "Clive", you by Mr Hurt's reincarnation. It makes sense to be 'friends' (ghastly online term, I know) . Then there's the "Occidente" connection; not to mention that we both appear to be snobs......ahem, I mean, discerning fellows of the scribbled word. Anyway, I gather you are English....or at least Welsh, which is almost as good, if a little more superstitious. Machen, 'Penda Of The Fens', 'The Owl Service', R R Ryan's bizarre sojourn into Wales into 'The Subjugated Beast' and J.B. Priestley's 'Benighted'. [You probably aren't Welsh; I've probably made an ass of myself.]I like your proposed Occidente artwork. Very William Morris meets Burne-Jones. I have similar tapestries but can't display them yet lest my boys do an Aickman 'My Poor Friend' routine. TTFN,CBwww.hauntedriver.co.uk