Boxing Day
A few festive odds and ends
Dear reader,
It is now Boxing Day here in Australia. Boxing Day was apparently originally a day when you boxed up some spare treats or gifts and passed them onto the deserving. So, I’m passing on a few little random things that I have laying around my laptop and that I want to share.
That Phenakistoscope above is one. It dates from 1833; I found it on this webpage on the Public Domain Review where there’s a whole bunch of them. I think they’re wonderful but staring at a whole page of them for too long could be seizure-inducing so you have been warned.
The next thing I want to share keeps with the Christmas vibe; it’s a short animation made by Terry Gilliam (of Monty Python fame) in 1968 called The Christmas Card. It’s fun. I came across it on this webpage on the Open Culture website.
The third thing I want to share is what is called The Proust Questionnaire; you might have seen it before. It was a popular Victorian parlour game that is still used today as an interview tool. Maybe you can use it if the conversation with extended family that you only see at Christmas runs dry. I have adapted the questions somewhat from those listed on Wikipedia. Perhaps, after you have inflicted it upon your relatives, you can use it as a creative prompt: Imagine the answers as provided by a character in the novel you’re writing, or your ideal lover, or perfect boss.
The Proust Questionnaire
The principal aspect of my personality. Or my favourite aspect.
Your favourite qualities in another person.
What you appreciate most in your friends.
Your main fault.
Favourite way to pass your time.
Your idea of happiness.
Your idea of misery.
If not yourself, who would you be?
Where would you like to live?
Your favourite colour.
Your favourite flower.
Your favourite bird or animal.
Your favourite writers, artists, or creators.
Your favourite fictional heroes.
Your favourite real life heroes.
Thank you for reading.
I hope that Yuletide is treating you kindly. Stay sane, safe, well, and happy.