Posts by johnjoyce

Perceptions of New York

By on Sep 13, 2011 in Essays | Comments Off

Like it or not, New York is in our ether. Many songs, plays, books, and films perpetuate the allure of New York. I recently visited Manhattan to explore its mystique and not spend too much on accommodation. Before travelling I decided it would be wise to know which of the three airports I was going to arrive at: John F. Kennedy, La Guardia, or Newark Liberty International. I landed at Newark and took a bus to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. It also helps to know the street grid system; I stayed at 59 West 46 Street, which is off Times Square. “An Englishman in New York,” by Sting, is...

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A Small, Green Piece of Paper

By on Sep 24, 2010 in Cuttings | Comments Off

Six Degrees of Separation is a play and film written by John Guare about the conjecture that all people are linked by five intermediaries. Six Degrees of Separation is standard theatre fare. Most people have seen it once but probably don’ t go out of their way to see it twice. I recall the play introduced me to Kandinsky’s paintings. One afternoon, not far from the Sea Bus terminal in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, per chance my eye doctor mentioned he was visiting London for a short holiday. Since I had attended the English equivalent of high school in Chiswick, I...

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Two Islands: England and Eel Pie Island

By on Sep 24, 2010 in Essays | Comments Off

London in the early sixties; a backdrop of rhythm and blues music on a small island in the River Thames; some forgotten insights into those days.    Anglers have fished along the banks of the River Thames since time immemorial. “Did yer catch anything?” is a common greeting to these surly folk. “Naw, not today. Had a few bites.” Nothing has changed with them ― neither their keep nets, fishing rods, Thermos flask of tea, gruff speech patterns nor the fish they seek: dace, perch, roach and eel. They dislike the latter because it tangles fishing line. For most anglers the...

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Tennis Above the Net

By on Sep 24, 2010 in Essays | Comments Off

A look at the sport of tennis, with its mannerism and perceptions. Writing about tennis is easy, but playing it well is difficult, and I know if I am too critical of the sport and its players, then I risk not playing very often, as nobody will want to play with me. But since this article does not offer advice on how to improve one’s tennis game, most tennis players are unlikely to read it. Tennis players are interested in only two things: how to improve their game, and their next game. We have all seen one of those 1930’s Agatha Christie plays or films that have 40-year-old couples...

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Looking Down from a Ski Chair

By on Apr 13, 2010 in Essays | Comments Off

The world looks different from a ski chair, and everyone feels different moving through the air. This ride up Todd Mountain at the Sun Peaks Ski Resort in British Columbia, Canada, will take approximately eight minutes. I will rise 780 meters, according to the trail guide in my zipped pocket. Loading and unloading from a chairlift are always harrowing moments. If you get things wrong, it’s awfully embarrassing. I slide onto this quad chair with no problem, but it requires faith to board a ski chairlift when it’s a cloudy day at the bottom and one can’t see the summit of the mountain...

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