In which I Attempt to Broaden my Horizons

[dolorous_ett]

I've just come back from a seminar on an attempt to combine 4 very different music styles in one concert - seemed like pointless navel-gazing when I was not-quite-strongarmed into going, but I came out realising that combining unlikely talents can bear surprising fruit. We all need to be reminded of that from time to time, I think.

And following hard on the heels of that last thought, it occurs to me that I spend far too much time treading the same well-worn trails over and over again in all sorts of ways - including my fannish life and my hobbies. I could really do with branching out a little, and I suspect I'm not the only one.

So what are you a fan of that I'm not? Tell why! And if you can spare the time, show me the best entry point for it - I'd love to be converted to something new! 

Comments

[lareinenoire.livejournal.com]

Early modern history plays! ;) The best way to convert someone, however, is to make them watch one -- or several -- so I'm not altogether sure how to do that without a few performances handy...

Of course, you may already be a fan of those and I'm just unaware of it.

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

Reading your journal isn't a bad entry point either, it seems...

I'll keep an eye out, I promise!

[lareinenoire.livejournal.com]

Actually, check out angevin2's LJ as well if you haven't already. She is the ultimate Histories Ninja, and is singlehandedly responsible for my writing Shakespeare fanfic in the first place.

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

I've not had that pleasure - but I'll look into Angevin, who sounds like very good news!

[dharmavati.livejournal.com]

I think you might enjoy Avatar: the Last Airbender (I believe it's released as Avatar: the Legend of Aang in the UK), especially as a Sinologist. :) It takes place in an Asian-inspired fantasy world and I think it has something for everyone (great plot! action sequences! cuteness! epic battles! humor! romance! political intrigue! steampunk! dragons! beautiful artwork!) and I'm extremely curious about your take one

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

That sounds absolutely amazing - pushes all my buttons! I must check it out!

[erised1810.livejournal.com]

i regret totell you thathtis question has bounced right back to you. because well. i think some of yoru interests might broaden my horizon instead? anythign i ciould mention that is new to you is alas, dutch. i shoudl make a poitnto look up english translations of some of m yfavourite books. and if the yare not there i'll ummm. translate them myself?
but if yo uwantsome hey!whatisthat? kidn of music: david silvian. this mortal coil. the seatbelts. i forgot his full name-glen hanson? he form that oscar winning song 'once' if that's gonna help at all i ngoogle. and
oh and one book yay! if you ahven't read flowers for algernon yet, do pick it up. it's weird but famntastic adn also sort of sad. and there's the day of the triffids by john wyndham. whihc might be good in my eyes because i havn'et bene drenched in scifi yet but oh well.

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

I read the short story version of Flowers for Algernon, and I loved it, even though it was so sad. And I read my way through most of Wyndham as a teenager - my favourite was The Crysalids, though I'm not sure if that would still be true. It would be interesting to see if time has been kind to that book!

I used to have a boyfriend who loved David Sylvian, and what I heard, I rather liked. Which makes me full of hopes for the others on your list... thank you!

I'd be very interested to hear your recs on Dutch literature - we're horribly closed to literature in translation in this country, and I would like to do my bit to overcome that!

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

How about a trip to Scottish Opera, this season doing La Traviata (good plot, great music), Cosi fan Tutte (erm, never actually seen it, embarrassing as it is major Mozart), and Manon (Massenet, mostly v. swoony music). Get yourselves some cheap seats in the Gods and have an evening out. Also on the opera front, but even sooner The Love of Three Oranges, which Opera North did as scratch 'n' sniff many years ago, but I didn't see because I had flu.

Or watch the Lauberhorn ski race tomorrow lunchtime on BBC digital or website. Over two miles in two minutes.

And try Babylon 5!

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

I should have a try at opera - it's been many years since I have, and perhaps I will have developed a bit more patience (my trouble is that I keep confusing opera for plays, and wanting the plot to move on, which really is Not the Point!). Especially if there's Mozart on my doorstep.

Babylon 5 is a real possibility - just as soon as we've worked our way through the last Dr Who boxed set...

[tree_and_leaf]

I have been thinking I ought to ask much the same question, really!

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

It's surprisingly easy to get stuck in this rut, I find. But sniffing around for new hobbies can pay amazing dividends (see above).