Enchantment and entrapment. Funny how one sometimes leads to the other. Especially in
ballrooms and outer space. As a child, Patrick Hughes was “enchanted” by the idea of being an astronaut. (Jacinta Curley’s word of the day was used a record ten times). Now he thinks being stuck in outer space could be a bit isolating. “You get kind of attached to the planet you live on”.
Jean-Marie too warns against a sense of imprisonment on Mars. Less gravity means you can jump higher and so you might keep hitting off the ceiling. Mark, however, reminded us that planet earth is getting a little overcrowded and if we want more space (literally), Mars could be the next emigration hot-spot.
Fantastic to see new members get up and talk so well. Colum resembles his brothers so much that shopkeepers think they know him when they don’t; Donal’s most prized possession is his diary, as it reveals what he needs to change; and Anna-Marie loves her dog, even though they’re not on speaking terms at the moment.
“The difference between understanding “The Judgment Game” is the difference between happiness and victim-hood”, according to Martin’s speech. Our minds are constantly making judgments for better or for worse. They make life enchanting or imprisoning. More so than any external reality. We cannot stop judging but we can be aware of it.
In “Collaborative Consumption” Muna challenged the assumption that we need to own what we consume. Our homes, garages and gardens are full of books, step ladders and lawn mowers that we may use only once or very occasionally. Perhaps we could share? Technology, via websites such as Ebay, can allow us to make more efficient use of our excess goods.
Henry made yet another remarkable impromptu, advanced speech on Gravity, the movie. The real stars of the film were the spaceships rather than the actors. He also made some interesting comments on the costs of space exploration for the Russians as opposed to the Americans. What is with Toasties and space these days? :) We’re, like, totally enchanted.
But now to some real enchantment. Tony lured us all into “Ballrooms of Romance” with his highly evocative speech. Talk about an insight into the minds of men. His entirely “fictional” account revealed how men try to think of a hundred different ways to ask a gal to dance until the “sound of your own voice becomes too piteous to bear”. Once they succeed, the “mind goes wild with anticipation”,. All did not end well for the seducer, but It had us in stitches .
And so the moral of the night was clear. Enchantment can lead to entrapment. Ladies, astronauts and judgemental types…beware
Fiona O’Meara, Guest Blogger