I’ve stopped reading. Don’t know how or why but for the past few months I’ve read nothing but computer magazines and reference books. I still have the pile of books by the bed, and they come in mighty handy for blocking out the search light that doubles as my bed side clock. I half heartedly started Ressurection Men again but can feel that is going to have to wait a little longer.
Today I marched on down to Books In Print (who still don’t have a web site) determined to buy Stupid White Men when another book caught my eye.
Banvard’s Folly: Thirteen Tales of Renowned Obscurity, Famous Anonymity, and Rotten Luck.
I’ve always loved reading about the past but the history that intrigues me most is the past that never was. I’ve always wanted to write a book about the grand projects and ideas for Melbourne that never made it; the airport that would have sat where Port Melbourne now is, the history of proposals for the Federation Square site, Grollo’s plan for the world’s largest building at Docklands. The how, why and who of what lead to their demise fascinates me, as does pondering what shape this city may have taken had they gone ahead.
So let’s see how we go with this book. It may inspire me to read again and then start some research. Maybe.