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Letter From The Founder
Two days ago we put out our second monthly Symposium. You may have thought that we wouldn’t have enough time, material or energy to follow it up with an Omnibus of the same high quality as usual soon afterwards.
Yet we have.
But this is mot the only reason I am proud of this issue. It sees some seasoned regulars doing what they do, it sees some familiar faces return and it sees less frequent contributors enter the fray and post some extremely high quality work. And David and Ivan both deliver absolutely outstanding new fiction.
So sit back and enjoy this weeks selection of quality writing, and if that isn’t enough you can always click the link below and look back Nostalgically on Friday’s Nostalgia Symposium
Until next week,
Live well,
Tom.
Essays
Yesterday by Adam Costello
Or should that be ‘The Day Before Yesterday’ as this was a Symposium entry from the 1st July that I someone didn't include. In either case this is a fantastic piece from Adam, as we have come to expect including the now trademark illustration and inimitable prose style.
The Directional Language of Interior Movement by Luke Burgis
An Augustinian deep dive into motivation and discernment in the none poisoned, none self help sense of those words. Of course this has the kind of depth and nuance that we have all grown to expect from Luke.
weekend watchlist: hacking capitalism by MaryAnne 🔒
At some point soon I will stop with the film recommendations in these Omnibuses. There are more insightful critics and better than voices out there- among the STSC ranks let alone the wider online world. MaryAnne is one of these as this roundup demonstrates.
Apt, Not Best by Vita
‘I'm more and more skeptical of "best." It's used lazily and widely. But then, what word is there to better illustrate dealing with reality effectively? I have one in mind.’
And that word is apt- in several senses. Read this to see what is better than best and how it applies to your life.
bookmark #441 by Deepansh
‘i have changed cities countless times now. i have rented places and uprooted my existence for a little over four. i have pushed doors and flung them open with a backpack and a few suitcases in my hand. eventually, when my life got heavier with more things to carry and even more to remember, i hired the movers to help me out.’
Resonant and extremely well written as always from Deepansh. The run shows no sign of slowing down.
Practicing Things by Lou
An honest and heartfelt piece on the idea of practice. Simple in that way that you know takes a lot of work. I loved it.
one + one line = many meanings by Simon
This was great. As someone who is in the process of considering the colour scheme if my second essay collection, this discussion of the work and thought of Josef Albers was both fascinating and highly useful.
Route 4: Blackfriars to Archway by Charlie Sherritz
He’s back! Man, have I been waiting for this latest instalment of Charlie’s London by bus odyssey. And I'm pleased to say it absolutely delivers.
The Errand Boy by Paul Publisher
The first in Paul’s new ‘Snapshot’ series. News From The Stars, so the speak. Fascinating stuff here. Can’t wait to see where Paul takes this. A unique voice with unique insights.
Reflection #5 by Clint
‘The other 19,241 days I've lived previously, are dead and gone. And I pray those other 19,241 dead Clints made the most of their time in the universe. Christians talk about being “born again” as if it’s something that happens once during their lifetime. But I understand it differently, I haven’t been "born again" just once, for I am born again to every moment.’
Powerful stuff from Clint here. His Reflections series continues to deliver.
Past as Prologue by Charles Schifano
Charles dives into Crime and Punishment. Need I say more? Incredible work.
Not too comfortable by Andrew
A short piece on the (lack of) comforts of travel. Articulated something I had noticed but never quite formed into a full thought. Which is always a pleasure to experience. Good stuff.
That was a close one by Lyle
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again- Lyle’s honest in writing is an absolute virtue and something we can all learn from. Kudos, Lyle.
Fiction
Dropping Heat by David
Innovative in form and deeply satirical against online culture. The fact it is posted makes it all the sweeter. I absolutely loved this, David is really, really on to something here. Excellent.
Shiteaters by Ivan/Ioann/Vanya
I alternated between chuckling and reading with my jaw nearly on the table with this one. Short story Ivan is in a league of his own, truly. There’s nothing else like this out there.
Podcasts
Two Ecks at One Ecks (Nostalgia Special) (The Wednesday Audio #58) by Craig
I included this podcast here to nostalgically look back to two days ago when I heard this podcast that nostalgically looks back to a week before that
TJB Film Recommendation
The Journey of Natty Gann (1985)
D. Jeremy Kagan
W. Jeanne Rosenberg
S.Meredith Salenger, John Cusack, Ray Wise
It seems like Disney is becoming less popular and losing favour in certain circles. Which is understandable, really.
So perhaps in the spirit of contrarianism (or is it counter contrarianism?) I want to recommend a film from The House of Mouse today. One that hardly anyone has ever heard of- even Disney+ regulars.
I contemplated pointing you in the direction of Escape From The Dark (Aka The Littlest Horse Thieves) (1976) starring Alistair Simm, but I genuinely think that film is too traumatic for most people to handle. It might scar your child for life, that one.
So instead I’m gonna write a few lines about another live action Disney film and that is The Great Depression set Journey of Natty Gann. I like it. You’ve got young Cusack, you’ve got the teenage Meredith Salinger as the scrappy, titular toyboy, you’ve got a White Fang-esque loyal wolf, you’ve got pre Twin Peaks Ray Wise as the down on his luck Dad.
It doesn’t outstay it’s welcome, it gives you an actual strong female lead, the score’s good. Solid 3 1/2 star family fare of the kind The Mouse no longer makes.
Enjoy.
Thanks as always for reading/listening and thanks in advance for pressing all of those various buttons at the bottom which help the Omnibus spread further.
After yet another cancellation (it’s getting ridiculous) Craig and I will (hopefully) be recording a new episode of the Tragedies of Modernity podcast tonight at 8pm GMT. We’ll host it and record it live from the STSC community and then post it via this Substack tomorrow.
If you want to join us live and listen in and post questions/comments/heckles in the podcast channel chat you are more than welcome. You simply have to sign up to the community first.
I look forward to seeing you over at the Social Club.
Cheers!