Wednesday, December 18, 2024

A Slightly Surreal Post


I often walk past this house in St. John's Wood on my way home from work. They really do it up for the winter holidays, as they also do for Halloween. They must have a whole room dedicated to storing inflatables and lights. It looks like a pretty big house so I guess they can spare the space.

Today is our last day before Winter Break, and I thought it was going to be a half-day -- but it turns out that no, it's a full workday. And we do still have kids around, though many of them have already departed on their holiday travels. It hopefully won't be too busy, and I do have some cleaning up to do in the library so it's just as well.

And now for the surreal part of the post:


This gigantic green, smiling banana just appeared the other day in the senior student gathering spot. Who knows why? For a while it was in the center of the action, but now it has been banished to the top of a shelf, where it looks like it could roll down on someone at any moment. (It wouldn't do any harm.)


And here's another house I sometimes pass on my way home from work -- with the sculptured spider and goldfish outside. Last night they were still ornamented with skeletons (including a fish skeleton), presumably for Halloween. Maybe they'll be wreathed in holly for Easter.

I think the house belongs to this guy, who describes himself online as an Austrian surrealist artist and "keeper of spider house."

Last night our TV entertainment was a movie called "The Invasion" with Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. Through the whole thing I kept saying, "This is just like 'The Invasion of the Body Snatchers'!" Well, it turns out to have been a deliberate remake of that sci-fi classic -- but not so deliberate that it's a mirror image. It came out in 2007 and apparently didn't do all that well, and it is a bit clunky despite a high-profile cast including Veronica Cartwright, Jeremy Northam, Jeffrey Wright and Celia Weston. But it was diverting and it got my mind off work, which seems to occupy all my time at the moment.

I got some good work-related news yesterday, though. We've extended a job offer to a new assistant, to replace my colleague who departed in October, and I believe that offer has been accepted. So my workload should lighten when she joins the team at the end of next month. Maybe I'll even have time to answer blog comments!

42 comments:

  1. I would think anyone who lived in houses in your photos is not short of quid. The first is really impressive.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It sounds like you had quite an eventful evening! That house with the sculptured spider and goldfish, still decorated with Halloween skeletons, sounds fascinating and whimsical. It must be a fun landmark to pass by on your way home. I can only imagine how creative the decorations might get for other holidays.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The spider and goldfish are there all the time, but other decorations shift around!

      Delete
  3. I wonder why the manufacturers of the green banana didn't go for yellow instead. Maybe they ran out of yellow velveteen. Perhaps you should borrow it to brighten up the airbnb in Whitstable. It could sit in the front of the Uber with the driver. Don't forget to put his seatbelt on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I, for one, prefer green or at least greenish bananas. By the time they're yellow, the texture is off-putting. :)

      Delete
    2. This place in Whitstable has a pretty funky decor, from what I remember of the photos -- so that banana wouldl fit right in!

      Delete
  4. London is full of surprises. Lucky for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's true! Always something unexpected around the corner. (Or in the hallway.)

      Delete
  5. I love all the random things you show us photos of from your life in London! The banana should have a name and become the mascot of the senior gathering spot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love to know the story of how it came to inhabit that space. I asked some of the kids but they said they didn't know!

      Delete
  6. I like the idea of a large banana suddenly appearing without warning but I wonder what that means. 😈😈😈

    ReplyDelete
  7. We have a couple of neighbors who put Santa hats on their skeletons (or whatever) and leave them up year round. They might be tricky to move. The lights/decorations at those houses look terrific. Three cheers for the last day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's funny how this seems to be a thing now -- repurposing holiday decorations for multiple holidays!

      Delete
  8. Fortunately our winters are harsh enough we don't see a lot of inflatables, at least not like we see during Halloween. I cringe at all that plastic being used for temporary decorations and plugging up our landfills.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You sound stressed. I'm glad you'll have a new coworker to help out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am stressed. The last couple of weeks have been hellish. I am so ready for a break!

      Delete
  10. Well. Surrealist artist and keeper of spider house certainly has an interesting take on Christmas decorating. Why not? I definitely believe in goldfish, Santa not so much.
    What great news about the assistant! I'm so glad you'll be getting some help. I know your work situation has been extremely difficult, to say the least. You and Dave truly deserve and need that trip you're about to take.
    I have nothing to say about the banana except that it looks ridiculously cheerful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it will be terrific to have a new person come in and help out! The kids won't fess up about the origins of the banana. Maybe it's a rival school's mascot?

      Delete
  11. Hurray that your break is finally here! You sure need it as you have been so busy. How nice to be getting a new assistant! Now you can relax and enjoy your trip with Dave and Olga.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it's great knowing that help is on the way!

      Delete
  12. remakes of classic originals rarely have the same impact. Invasion Of The Body Snatchers scared the shit out of me when I was a kid. I've seen the remake with Donald Sutherland but it's the original that sticks in my mind.
    'keeper of the spider house', I like that. I like quirky in front of people's homes. breaks up the monotony of well kept facades.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, the original IS scary. And the Donald Sutherland version -- which also had Veronica Cartwright in it -- was scary too!

      I like the spider house but I wonder how the neighbors feel!

      Delete
  13. Let's combine Halloween with Christmas...I recently saw skeletons wearing Santa hats. It made me smile.
    Having a new library assistant is so good. The workload will be manageable for everyone.
    Your holiday will be relaxing and fun. No schedules, no work, just good times. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It will be amazing to have so much unstructured time!

      Delete
  14. Slightly surreal is an understatement.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Well, I try to shake things up now and then. :)

      Delete
  15. I think you're ready for a break. Me, I don't buy green bananas any more!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the house with the elaborate holiday decorations. I'm not so sure about the spider/fish house. Good news on the work front. Enjoy the time off. Ours doesn't start until the 24th.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the uniqueness of the spider house, but I wouldn't want to own it. Or live next to it.

      Delete
  17. Odd to make the banana green, though I do prefer to eat them before they get too ripe. The skeletons need Santa hats or some greenery on them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know -- it's weird that it's green. Maybe it's a plantain?

      Delete
  18. I'm not into elaborate decorations of any kind but like looking at them. Not dealing with them personally! I'm happy to hear about the new assistant and hope that lightens your load.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same with me. I'm always happy to check out a house with lots of Christmas lights but I would never bother with them myself!

      Delete
  19. "Christmas" decorations seem to have become more and more weird. Good news about your new assistant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, the spider and goldfish are there year-round. I think the skeletons are leftovers from Halloween.

      Delete
  20. The banana is curious but at least it's happy. I like that first decorated house, but not the spider goldfish one. I hope the new assistant fits in well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, a sad banana would be...well...depressing!

      Delete