Charles Brammall Val Edward Kilmer (1959–2025)once auditioned for The Outsiders by wrestling a friend on videotape in his parents’ living room. Shirts off, furniture imperilled, testosterone and theatricality grappling like Jacob and the angel– except with better lighting, more earnest cheekbones, and an… Continue Reading
Charles Brammall On a bright California morning in 2014, Dr Ellsworth Wareham pulled into his driveway, stepped out of his car, and lifted his golf sticks out of the boot. At 99, he still played regularly, still consulted, and still praised God for… Continue Reading
Charles Brammall “I gave my beauty and my youth to men. Now I give my wisdom and experience to animals.” — Brigitte Bardot “Holy s_ _ _. I did not know all that insane s_ _ _ Ms Bardot stood… Continue Reading
Charles Brammall As an adolescent, we always had New Year’s Eve with dear friends at their home perched high like an eyrie on the edge of a Lane Cove cliff. It proffered a panoramic vista of picturesque (and yes- picaresque:… Continue Reading
Charles Brammall Let me begin with an animal, because Christmas make more sense when we stop pretending we are above the rest of creation, or somehow exempt from the way absence quietly orders the world. Animals, after all, do not… Continue Reading
Charles Brammall When I was going through Bible college, I nearly became a Presbyterian minister instead of an Anglican one. It seemed to me they both had advantages. True story: In the early 20th century, a Presbyterian lady was summoned… Continue Reading
Charles Brammall Thanksgiving: More Than a Meal – In Fact, a Miracle Thanksgiving has just been again (27 Nov), and yet again I failed to lead my family in acknowledging or celebrating it. Although next year I’m determined to. In… Continue Reading
Charles Brammall on Frank Gehry (1929-2025 ) My architecture-trained wife’s favourite designer is the late Jewish Canadian architect Frank Gehry (who died on December 5, aged 96). She inspired me to understand, the most beautiful and skilful buildings are not… Continue Reading
Charles Brammall With regard to another Alexander, above is the “Alexamenos Graffito” (Italian: “graffito blasfemo”– lit. blasphemous graffiti). It is a piece of Roman graffiti scratched into the wall of a house near the Palatine Hill. It is often said to be the earliest depiction of… Continue Reading
Charles Brammall David James Ball (3 May 1959 – 22 October 2025) Dave was Synth-Pop’s, and especially the band “Soft Cell”‘s, Spiritual Subtexter. The Brit muso and producer (of “Tainted Love” fame), that grave, splendid song, passed away on 22… Continue Reading