After six somewhat glorious months, I am now back in the USA. Monday was one of the longest days ever and after a grueling 18 hours of travel I arrived safe and sound at my parents' house in Watertown. Since then I've been busy getting some Christmas shopping done, getting a cell phone, looking at apartments, etc. I'm also trying to just relax a bit.
Already I've begun to miss London. It seems the grass actually is always greener on the other side. There are of course, a number of things that I don't miss at all:
the bank, crazy cars, the buses, etc... But, there is a big list of stuff that I do miss: my friends, accents, colorful money, Indian food, etc... Today I had the strangest desire to get on a bus and head to Soho to look at used CDs. I'm kinda nervous about my adventures being over and facing some sort of real world. The midwestern accent is really annoying me right now, as is small talk overheard in stores. The snow's charm is quickly fading and the lack of a coffee-house is very noticeable.
I've had/am having many thoughts about my time abroad. Putting these thoughts into words is proving very difficult though. This is the only reason it's taken me so long to update. I think though that I can say a few things:
Travel, whether for a long time or just a weekend is really something that should be required. The knowledge and understanding gained from forcing oneself out of their comfort zone and into someone else's world is not something that can be taught. Through experience only do we learn about one another and the mysterious x factor that makes us all unique. I think that too often we get bogged down in our surroundings and fail to notice the little things around us and the quirks and habits of our humanity. You'll excuse the cliche but it's true. It takes living outside the US to really point out what makes us Americans. I have a renewed sense of patriotism and protest brewing inside which will hopefully linger long enough for action to be made. There's something about living here, in all our comfort that makes us lazy and complacent. I hope that the feelings I have don't fade too fast. All my life I've read history and I know a lot of facts. It's difficult though to put a human face to the events and see broad occurrences through the eyes of a bystander. Some of the most enduring memories for me will be stories I was told by people coming from backgrounds completely different than mine. There's also something innately wonderful about seeing places that are sort-of like home but not. The little things that get taken for granted get writ large and you get to see how the other half lives.
Anyway, this post is meandering and very reminiscent/nostalgic. I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season. I'll write more when my new computer comes.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Friday, December 16, 2005
Time flies...
It's hard to believe that I've been here for 6 months but I have apparently. The time has come to return to the U.S. This will be my last post from the UK but never fear, I will offer a post-mortem on my experiences from the U.S. Later ya'll.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Deutschland Part 2
Once again I spent a lovely weekend in Germany with my friends Sabine and Niklas. As always, it was great to get away from London for a weekend. It was especially nice to get the chance to see Germany at Christmas (read: Weihnachten). Germany is, as one may expect, very German and Christmas is especially. On Friday evening after a delicious meal we headed to the town square in Saarlouis to walk around the Christkindl Markt. Although a rather small market, it was really cool and I had my first Gluehwein which was surprisingly good and rather potent.
On Saturday after sufficient vacation-sleep-in Sabine and I drove to Trier. Trier is Germany's oldest city and is very pretty. The market here was much larger and full of people. We ate Dampfnudel mit Vanillesoße und Kirschen and it was awesome. Here's a picture of it:
On Saturday after sufficient vacation-sleep-in Sabine and I drove to Trier. Trier is Germany's oldest city and is very pretty. The market here was much larger and full of people. We ate Dampfnudel mit Vanillesoße und Kirschen and it was awesome. Here's a picture of it:
So, we ate, we saw sights that were really old and then we went home and out to dinner with some friends of Sabine's at Margaretenhof which was just as wonderful as last time.
Sunday was similarly great. Helga (Sabine's mom) had some friends over from her karate class for breakfast. I was very nervous to speak German all weekend around so many natives. I'm very out of practice. After breakfast we went to Saarbrücken and I got to drive. I can now say I drove on the Autobahn! Saarbrücken is the capital of Saarland and is a gorgeous little city. We looked at an old church and the Schloß, both of which were really cool and very impressive considering they were completely destroyed in WWII and rebuilt to be as they were. The castle had an invisible art display outside that I was very enamoured with. Apparently a number of students from the local art school began stealing the rocks that made up the public square in front of the castle's main enterance. They always replaced them with others while they did their work so noone knew anything was missing. Slowly, they carved the name of a Jewish cemetary in Germany onto the underside of each stone and then replaced it in front of the castle. The result is that everything is exactly as it was before their art except that no people know and hopefully think a bit as they walk. The hidden nature of the names is just so powerful; everyday people walk over their history and give it little thought but now this "display" kinda forces the question of what became of so many nameless, erased people and histories. The names of dead more-or-less, inscribed in stone and present in thought yet hidden from sight. Anyway, I think it's a fuckin' amazing idea.
Saarbrücken's Christmas market was also huge and we ended up there at just the right time to see der Weihnachtsman (Santa Claus/Father Christmas) fly over the market and give a speech to the crowd. More local food followed at a brewery before we went back to Saarlouis. It was by all accounts a fabulous weekend with good friends.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
hmm...
In Britain, as I understand it, when a man gets knighted he becomes Sir (his first name) and his wife is called Lady (his last name). So, when Sir Elton gets married, what will they call his husband?
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Because the hardest part of leaving is always what gets left...
allow me to introduce some of my friends (like contestants on a dating show):
Alicia is from Spain (or, as she says, eSpain), she's a wonderful flamenco dancer and has a dry, hilarious sense of humor. She can speak Spanish (eSpanish), English and German.
Anna is a feisty gal from Finland. She's also a professional football (soccer) player for Chelsea Women. She's always on the go and pinning her down could be tricky. Anna knows where to buy American foods in London and has surprised me a couple times with peanut butter.
Look out for Jenny. She's a passionate, firey Italin vixen on the lookout for men. She enjoys a good night out and at one time was a proish rollerskater back in Italia. Beware, if Jenny fancies you, you're finished. She gets the guy she wants and is never afraid to approach him.
Marcelo is a no-nonsense kind of guy from Brazil. He's seen the world and knows what he wants (usually whoever's around). Marcelo one time told me the difference between a straight Brazilian guy and a gay one - three beers. He's a whizz with the languages and is fluent in four (Portugese, English, Spanish and Dutch). He's in London to eventually get his masters in English Literature. He's a fun guy who's always ready with a cutting remark.
"Nobody puts Baby in the corner." and nor would they Lucia. She's a sexy Slovak who can cut a mean rug. She is also a linguist and sometimes works as a translator (most recently changing a thesis on the structural integrity of bridges from Slovak to German-whew) She's always ready for fun so who's coming with her? Beware, she's a whirlwind in heels.
No party would be complete without Amie. Although she's from Britain she speaks Italian and Russian fluently and can always be heard shouting in some combination of the three. Stop and say 'Allo' to her. She's got a wicked collection of music from various locales and we make quite the scene when dancing in her living room. She was at one time a judge for a competition in Amerstam sponsored by 'High Times'.
Richard hails from South Africa and can speak English, German, Dutch and Afrikaans. He can always be counted on for a witty joke. On a recent trip to Zambia he got me a bracelet made of elephant hair. He's always a lot of fun and keeps the girls laughing.
Olga is from Moldova. She is quite frankly the most sexual of us all which is saying something with this group. She's full of spunk and is always intrigued with the news I tell her. She's a joy to watch on the ice but don't make her go too fast unless you want to hear her shriek.
Meike is a mate from Down Under. She likes a good time but unfortunetly gets stuck on business trips with the bosses quite often. She has a wild streak hidden beneath that facade and it gets uncovered whenever we go out.
Katarina is a wild and crazy chick from Slovakia who has sadly moved back to Bratislava. She still keeps us laughing though
with her emails and phone calls. She parties like nobody's business and has the fashion sense to match. Katka gets a lot of proposals from Middle Eastern steel men so, jump in the queue before it's too late.
So, these are some of my London friends. I hope they don't mind their pictures being up or what I had to say about them. They'll be the hardest thing to leave behind when I take off to go back home. Say Ciao.
Alicia is from Spain (or, as she says, eSpain), she's a wonderful flamenco dancer and has a dry, hilarious sense of humor. She can speak Spanish (eSpanish), English and German.
Anna is a feisty gal from Finland. She's also a professional football (soccer) player for Chelsea Women. She's always on the go and pinning her down could be tricky. Anna knows where to buy American foods in London and has surprised me a couple times with peanut butter.
Look out for Jenny. She's a passionate, firey Italin vixen on the lookout for men. She enjoys a good night out and at one time was a proish rollerskater back in Italia. Beware, if Jenny fancies you, you're finished. She gets the guy she wants and is never afraid to approach him.
Marcelo is a no-nonsense kind of guy from Brazil. He's seen the world and knows what he wants (usually whoever's around). Marcelo one time told me the difference between a straight Brazilian guy and a gay one - three beers. He's a whizz with the languages and is fluent in four (Portugese, English, Spanish and Dutch). He's in London to eventually get his masters in English Literature. He's a fun guy who's always ready with a cutting remark.
"Nobody puts Baby in the corner." and nor would they Lucia. She's a sexy Slovak who can cut a mean rug. She is also a linguist and sometimes works as a translator (most recently changing a thesis on the structural integrity of bridges from Slovak to German-whew) She's always ready for fun so who's coming with her? Beware, she's a whirlwind in heels.
No party would be complete without Amie. Although she's from Britain she speaks Italian and Russian fluently and can always be heard shouting in some combination of the three. Stop and say 'Allo' to her. She's got a wicked collection of music from various locales and we make quite the scene when dancing in her living room. She was at one time a judge for a competition in Amerstam sponsored by 'High Times'.
Richard hails from South Africa and can speak English, German, Dutch and Afrikaans. He can always be counted on for a witty joke. On a recent trip to Zambia he got me a bracelet made of elephant hair. He's always a lot of fun and keeps the girls laughing.
Olga is from Moldova. She is quite frankly the most sexual of us all which is saying something with this group. She's full of spunk and is always intrigued with the news I tell her. She's a joy to watch on the ice but don't make her go too fast unless you want to hear her shriek.
Meike is a mate from Down Under. She likes a good time but unfortunetly gets stuck on business trips with the bosses quite often. She has a wild streak hidden beneath that facade and it gets uncovered whenever we go out.Katarina is a wild and crazy chick from Slovakia who has sadly moved back to Bratislava. She still keeps us laughing though
with her emails and phone calls. She parties like nobody's business and has the fashion sense to match. Katka gets a lot of proposals from Middle Eastern steel men so, jump in the queue before it's too late.So, these are some of my London friends. I hope they don't mind their pictures being up or what I had to say about them. They'll be the hardest thing to leave behind when I take off to go back home. Say Ciao.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Simplicity...
When I was in Oxford on Sunday I saw a couple magnets that really made me laugh. Here's a sampling:
"What if there were no rhetorical questions?"
"Jesus is coming - look busy."
"What if there were no rhetorical questions?"
"Jesus is coming - look busy."
As long as I'm ranting...
let me just complain briefly about the culturally ingrained misogyny and sexism in London. The worst part of it is the complacency displayed by a lot of the women here. I'm sure it's cultural and these people are used to it but it really pisses me off often-so I'm telling you about it.
Equality...sort-of...
So, yesterday was the big day in the UK. For the first time in it's very long history, the UK allowed same-sex couples to officially register their relationships. Due to some rule however, there is a 2 week waiting period between registering and actually getting recognized so the first ceremonies won't take place until December 21. I wish I could feel really excited about this but it just feels a little lack-luster. The newspapers have been carrying many articles about this issue but they're all more-or-less about the expected boom to the marriage industry now that "pink weddings" will start. I don't know if it's just silly of me but I'm really getting kinda offended by the expectation that gay weddings will be anything different (on the whole) than straight weddings. These articles anticipate a huge rise in business for the makers of feather boas and the representatives of drag queens. Come on! From my, albeit rather biased, perspective, the only area that will be affected will be the greeting card industry. I've been subjected to articles telling me that so and so is excited about the new law and has introduced his and his towels proclaiming, "Nearest, Dearest, Queerest". Ugh! Mrs. Whatever from the London Zoo says, "We're expecting many requests for gay 'weddings' since homosexuals are usually animal lovers." Excuse me? Some hotels have started stocking pink champagne. I am so sick of this stuff. Am I right to be offended? I don't know but I am nonetheless. We've been demanding equality for so long and now that it's arriving, kind-of, in the UK, it has to be portrayed as purely business. Also annoying is the fact that the law introduces civil unions which are equal in all regards to marriage except that they are not called marriage. Therefore, all articles use quotes when talking about everything (the new "marriages" will be equal in all regards to straight marriage, people are getting very excited about the "weddings".) Ugh! I also hate that people refer to gay weddings as "pink" weddings. When did we become associated with a color? I'll tell you when. It was when the Nazis branded us with pink triangles. Sure, the pink triangle has now become a symbol of our community but I really hate pink and it's history still being used to label a whole cross-section of the population.
Naturally I should be focusing on the fact that at long last another country is welcoming gay couples to the fold. Also, there has been almost no furor over it here; the conservative politicians have welcomed the move, religious groups have said almost nothing, I have yet to see any bad comments in the opinions pages, businesses are excited, etc. Hopefully now that the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Canada (and soon South Africa) have accepted gay unions, the rest of the world will see the benefits. New Zealand and Australia can't be far off. Nor can Scandinavia or Germany. When will the U.S. wake up and offer full equality to all it's citizens?
Anyway, excuse the rant. It's a happy time despite the annoyances.
Naturally I should be focusing on the fact that at long last another country is welcoming gay couples to the fold. Also, there has been almost no furor over it here; the conservative politicians have welcomed the move, religious groups have said almost nothing, I have yet to see any bad comments in the opinions pages, businesses are excited, etc. Hopefully now that the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Canada (and soon South Africa) have accepted gay unions, the rest of the world will see the benefits. New Zealand and Australia can't be far off. Nor can Scandinavia or Germany. When will the U.S. wake up and offer full equality to all it's citizens?
Anyway, excuse the rant. It's a happy time despite the annoyances.
Monday, December 05, 2005
A sign near my house...
Things that confuse me about this sign:
1. The establishment is not a hotel...
2. What does grill taste like?
3. Are they sure people want that?
4. I can't help but pronounce 'Flaminn' with a soft 'a'...
5. The font makes me think of lighter fluid not food.
On a separate note, why can't the brits come up with a cadence for their phone numbers? In the U.S., it's always 3 numbers, 4 numbers, 4 numbers. I believe it's the same delivery in Canada. In the UK though, it's not strange to get a string of numbers rattled at you like this: 02075246351 or 02075 246351 or 020 7524 6351 or 02 0752 46 351. This seems petty but try to remember a phone number when it doesn't have a cadence...it's hard.
The Weekend that Was...
This weekend started on Friday morning. After pointing out early last week that I am the most senior member of the staff to not have had a business trip, I was invited to attend the annual luncheon of the International Steel Traders' Association. This is not really what I had in mind but of course I agreed. My boss has, in the past, asked me to adjust my appearance. This is something I'm not used to and don't take very kindly to. On one occasion he told me that if they were to send me on a trip, he'd want me to have a shave and a haircut to which I of course replied, “Patrick, I'd love to shave but I can't afford a razor on this salary.” I'm fairly direct usually. When asking me to attend the ISTA luncheon, he said, “If you could make yourself presentable, I'd like you to go.” This was coming from an over-weight, uni-browed man who can often be spotted in large, stretched t-shirts and jeans. I on the other hand am usually wearing nice jeans, shirt-sweater combos with tie and sometime a sports jacket. Anyway, I said “I assume by that comment that you mean more presentable.” and agreed to go. Friday came and I was greeted with many compliments from the men at work, comments such as, “Wow, he can dress-up.”, “Wo Jason, new duds?”, “Who do you have to give the tie back to?” The girls in the office of course, didn't understand since they've noticed this particular outfit before and are well aware that I generally look good. Sometimes these stupid guys just really annoy the hell out of me.
I don't really mingle or schmooze, especially with steel traders. Luckily though, I didn't really have to. Lucia and I got to The Brewery (a huge posh venue) at 10 in order to set up a table and assist Jenny with the other set-up since our company was sponsoring the event. There was not much to do so we took advantage of the open bar with a few screwdrivers. When lunch was finally served and the thousand or so steel people had become sufficiently buzzed, we were treated to a three-course meal and all the wine we wanted. Boring speeches, etc. At about five, after everyone was finished and speeches had been heard, we were told that now was when everything really started. It was time to go to the pub. Steel people drink! I don't really like being drunk so I had slowed significantly during lunch. At the pub my boss kept plopping champagne down on our table at £30 a bottle. I think we must have gone through about 12 or so and it was delicious and didn't bring about ridiculous drunkenness or needless hangover. Anyway, that was my big foray into the business world. Moral of Friday: straight bosses only notice my outfits when they're nervous about how I'll represent them and steel people drink-often well.
Saturday was spent wandering around on Oxford street with all it's Christmas joys; mostly crowds. I didn't really do much purchasing but it was fun to look at everything. Especially exciting was seeing the Selfridge's Christmas window displays, the models for which I got to assist with back when I was working on the film here. They turned out really cool and almost exactly as they had in the models. If I get a chance I'll take some pictures.
On Sunday, Lucia and I headed out of the city to Oxford for a day of proper England. We were lazy and just walked around looking at the university and the quaint town before stopping in a pub for Sunday roast. It was a fantastically chill day of tourism.
Blah blah blah, I hate this post... I hope you're not bored...
I don't really mingle or schmooze, especially with steel traders. Luckily though, I didn't really have to. Lucia and I got to The Brewery (a huge posh venue) at 10 in order to set up a table and assist Jenny with the other set-up since our company was sponsoring the event. There was not much to do so we took advantage of the open bar with a few screwdrivers. When lunch was finally served and the thousand or so steel people had become sufficiently buzzed, we were treated to a three-course meal and all the wine we wanted. Boring speeches, etc. At about five, after everyone was finished and speeches had been heard, we were told that now was when everything really started. It was time to go to the pub. Steel people drink! I don't really like being drunk so I had slowed significantly during lunch. At the pub my boss kept plopping champagne down on our table at £30 a bottle. I think we must have gone through about 12 or so and it was delicious and didn't bring about ridiculous drunkenness or needless hangover. Anyway, that was my big foray into the business world. Moral of Friday: straight bosses only notice my outfits when they're nervous about how I'll represent them and steel people drink-often well.
Saturday was spent wandering around on Oxford street with all it's Christmas joys; mostly crowds. I didn't really do much purchasing but it was fun to look at everything. Especially exciting was seeing the Selfridge's Christmas window displays, the models for which I got to assist with back when I was working on the film here. They turned out really cool and almost exactly as they had in the models. If I get a chance I'll take some pictures.
On Sunday, Lucia and I headed out of the city to Oxford for a day of proper England. We were lazy and just walked around looking at the university and the quaint town before stopping in a pub for Sunday roast. It was a fantastically chill day of tourism.
Blah blah blah, I hate this post... I hope you're not bored...
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Scissors and Pirouettes...
On Thursday evening after many tube delays and detours I managed to get to Sadler's Wells for a production of the world debut production of Matthew Bourne's ballet, Edward Scissorhands. It was really something to see. It managed to keep the emotion of the film and occasionally added to it with the beautiful dance. This is highly recommended and I imagine it will be in New York at some point as well as some world tour as most of Bourne's stuff manages to hit a particular nerve with a lot of people. Anyway, it was really cool. Here's a pic from the website:
Thursday, December 01, 2005
"I Am My Own Wife"...
is bloody brilliant! If you have the opportunity, it is crucial that you see it. A lot of the time, theatre is (especially commercial theatre) worn down to the lowest common denominator in order to make it most accessible for an audience. This play on the other hand is different and gets it's audience in that difference. It reels the audience in, seemingly jumping up and down yelling, "I have a story to tell about a person, a time, and a place. Shut the fuck up, attention must be paid!" I don't think I've ever sat in an auditorium so still. There was no talking, no ringing, shuffling, or rustling; all attention was devoted to the breathtaking performance on stage. It really was an awesome experience.
In I Am My Own Wife, there is one actor who, with only a change of voice, posture, tone, plays many different characters-all fully. Centrally, it's the memoir, as told to the playwrite, of an East-German transvestite who lived openly as a cross-dressing gay man through the Nazi and Soviet regimes. Her story is very compelling-but equally compelling is the story-telling.
Since coming to London I've developed a bit of a love for languages. Language groups, their relationships, histories and...stories are incredibly interesting to me right now. In the case of this play, a lot of the "dialogue" takes place in English and German. While Doug Wright was careful to make sure the English-only audience never felt lost, his translations were always sort-of semi-translations. Thankfully my broken German got me through and, as evidenced by my solo laughter, I think I got a lot more than most people there. I even understood a couple German puns! Here's an example of the delicate blend of language and part of why I find myself fascinated by them: Early on, the author is interviewing Charlotte about the museum she curates. It's becoming clear that she is more interesting than her things tough and that she is, in fact, the more important museum. She tells him, "It was during the Nazi raids, I became this house." Easy for most people but they perhaps think the playwrite is pushing a bit for the metaphor. In fact though, it's brilliant. In German, the verb, 'to get' is 'bekommen' and the in simple past tense, 'bekam'. The poetry of how the sentence was created in all it's depth and simplicity stayed with me the whole show and added more than if I thought she merely talked funny. Umm...sorry bout that.
Anyway, Jefferson Mays, as the cast, was fully deserving of his Tony. He's astounding vocally (he switches between accents with amazing ease-Boston, old German woman/man, Southern American man speaking German and English, Russian, Japanese, Indian, British, etc.) and physically. Every little thing he did was full of his thought and had a meaning. Without the cliche one-person-talks-back-and-forth-by-switching-sides routine, he simply changed a crucial gesture and the audience understood.
Anyway, sorry about the school report/gush nature of this post. Moral of this story: see this play.
In I Am My Own Wife, there is one actor who, with only a change of voice, posture, tone, plays many different characters-all fully. Centrally, it's the memoir, as told to the playwrite, of an East-German transvestite who lived openly as a cross-dressing gay man through the Nazi and Soviet regimes. Her story is very compelling-but equally compelling is the story-telling.
Since coming to London I've developed a bit of a love for languages. Language groups, their relationships, histories and...stories are incredibly interesting to me right now. In the case of this play, a lot of the "dialogue" takes place in English and German. While Doug Wright was careful to make sure the English-only audience never felt lost, his translations were always sort-of semi-translations. Thankfully my broken German got me through and, as evidenced by my solo laughter, I think I got a lot more than most people there. I even understood a couple German puns! Here's an example of the delicate blend of language and part of why I find myself fascinated by them: Early on, the author is interviewing Charlotte about the museum she curates. It's becoming clear that she is more interesting than her things tough and that she is, in fact, the more important museum. She tells him, "It was during the Nazi raids, I became this house." Easy for most people but they perhaps think the playwrite is pushing a bit for the metaphor. In fact though, it's brilliant. In German, the verb, 'to get' is 'bekommen' and the in simple past tense, 'bekam'. The poetry of how the sentence was created in all it's depth and simplicity stayed with me the whole show and added more than if I thought she merely talked funny. Umm...sorry bout that.
Anyway, Jefferson Mays, as the cast, was fully deserving of his Tony. He's astounding vocally (he switches between accents with amazing ease-Boston, old German woman/man, Southern American man speaking German and English, Russian, Japanese, Indian, British, etc.) and physically. Every little thing he did was full of his thought and had a meaning. Without the cliche one-person-talks-back-and-forth-by-switching-sides routine, he simply changed a crucial gesture and the audience understood.
Anyway, sorry about the school report/gush nature of this post. Moral of this story: see this play.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
I don't belong on this side...
The BBC is interviewing my boss right now, right next to me. I am, I think, in frame and it makes me very self-conscious.
It's the little things...
that piss me off:
- being asked to arrive early to 9am appointment but finding the door locked until 9:07 and therefore having to stand in the cold
- coins, especially those worth 2 of anything
- being told, "no, sorry, we don't have a rubbish bin" when I can see it
- people using the fake word 'orientated' instead of actual word 'oriented'
- people using the term 'oriental' to describe food, fashion, music, and people
- bus stops declaring that the bus will stop there every 7-10 minutes but I've been waiting 45
- looking for the proper door which isn't marked. the other doors however violently direct you to the unmarked one
- typos in reputable newspapers
- hot water that fades in and out
- post-its
Friday, November 25, 2005
Thanksgiving....
It would be very easy for me to bemoan the fact that I was stuck in England during Thanksgiving; that auspicious day of turkey, stuffing, thanks-giving, parades, triptophane, pumpkin pie, and family. Instead though, I will endevour to revel in the good: 1) it's been nice to explain the holiday to interested non-americans and tell them about American culture in a world that often believes we have none. 2) separation makes the heart grow fonder. 3) ice skating at the tower of London is not something I could have done in Watertown. 4) tonight I have a make-shift dinner with my make-shift gang of international friends and some others. For a lot of them, it will be the first Thanksgiving of their lives and, hopefully, I will find some joy at being surrounded by my new friends, eating, and celebrating my favorite day.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Rock On Rabbi!
Here's a transcript of a speech given by Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of America's largest Jewish organization. Please read:
"We are particularly offended by the suggestion that the opposite of the Religious Right is the voice of atheism. We are appalled when "people of faith" is used in such a way that it excludes us, as well as most Jews, Catholics, and Muslims. What could be more bigoted than to claim that you have a monopoly on God and that anyone who disagrees with you is not a person of faith?
So we ask our neighbors on the Religious Right to take note: We are religious Jews, gathered in Houston to study, pray, and commit ourselves to God. And yes, we are generally liberal in our politics. But our liberalism flows directly from our religious commitments.
And we worry that you don't understand what this means, or what it means for anyone to be a liberal religious believer.
What it means is this: that we bring a measure of humility to our religious belief. We study religious texts day and night, but we have no direct lines to heaven and we aren't always sure that we know God's will.
It means believing that religion involves concern for the poor and the needy, and giving a fair shake to all. When people talk about God and yet ignore justice, it just feels downright wrong to us. When they cloak themselves in religion and forget mercy, it strikes us as blasphemy.
It means that "family values" require providing health care to every child and that God cares about the 12 million children without health insurance. It means valuing a child with diabetes over a frozen embryo in a fertility clinic, and seeing the teaching of science as a primary social good.
And it means reserving the right for each person to prayerfully make decisions for herself about when she dies.
It also means believing in legal protection for gay couples. We understand those who believe that the Bible opposes gay marriage, even though we read that text in a very different way. But we cannot understand why any two people who make a lifelong commitment to each other should be denied legal guarantees that protect them and their children and benefit the broader society. We cannot forget that when Hitler came to power in 1933, one of the first things that he did was ban gay organizations. And today, we cannot feel anything but rage when we hear about gay men and women, some on the front lines, being hounded out of our armed services. Yes, we can disagree about gay marriage. But there is no excuse for hateful rhetoric that fuels the hellfires of anti-gay bigotry.
"We are particularly offended by the suggestion that the opposite of the Religious Right is the voice of atheism. We are appalled when "people of faith" is used in such a way that it excludes us, as well as most Jews, Catholics, and Muslims. What could be more bigoted than to claim that you have a monopoly on God and that anyone who disagrees with you is not a person of faith?
So we ask our neighbors on the Religious Right to take note: We are religious Jews, gathered in Houston to study, pray, and commit ourselves to God. And yes, we are generally liberal in our politics. But our liberalism flows directly from our religious commitments.
And we worry that you don't understand what this means, or what it means for anyone to be a liberal religious believer.
What it means is this: that we bring a measure of humility to our religious belief. We study religious texts day and night, but we have no direct lines to heaven and we aren't always sure that we know God's will.
It means believing that religion involves concern for the poor and the needy, and giving a fair shake to all. When people talk about God and yet ignore justice, it just feels downright wrong to us. When they cloak themselves in religion and forget mercy, it strikes us as blasphemy.
It means that "family values" require providing health care to every child and that God cares about the 12 million children without health insurance. It means valuing a child with diabetes over a frozen embryo in a fertility clinic, and seeing the teaching of science as a primary social good.
And it means reserving the right for each person to prayerfully make decisions for herself about when she dies.
It also means believing in legal protection for gay couples. We understand those who believe that the Bible opposes gay marriage, even though we read that text in a very different way. But we cannot understand why any two people who make a lifelong commitment to each other should be denied legal guarantees that protect them and their children and benefit the broader society. We cannot forget that when Hitler came to power in 1933, one of the first things that he did was ban gay organizations. And today, we cannot feel anything but rage when we hear about gay men and women, some on the front lines, being hounded out of our armed services. Yes, we can disagree about gay marriage. But there is no excuse for hateful rhetoric that fuels the hellfires of anti-gay bigotry.
It's a popularly known truth...
that I don't really like people. Well, I should say, I don't like most people. That disposition is not helped by my morning and evening commutes on Transport for London Buses. The buses, to begin with, are invariably driven by people who have no business driving a car, let alone a bus. As I sit, usually upstairs, and try to read my book, I am constantly jerked around by the driver's foot pumping the brake. These people don't know how to ease so instead one gets whiplash - if one is sitting. If one is standing, the brake-pumping results in a hideous farce of flailing and slip-sliding. There's a lot of uncomfortable groping and half-smile apology. In addition to the brakes making my book bounce, I also have to deal with the baby crying (there's always a crying baby) on the lower level. On the upper level, in the evenings, there are teenagers. I'm not sure if y'all are aware of the fact that I'm apparently a grumpy old man or that British teenagers are perhaps the worst, most obnoxious bunch of kids in the world. They are quick-tempered, accusatory, smart-assed, and baiting. Those niceties, combined with the new play-music-on-your-mobile phone craze have yielded a huge new pet peeve. There are always these bitchy little girls with a phone cranked to high volume who HAVE to listen to the worst music without headphones. Then, when I glance back at them and apparently give away my secret inner disdain, they latch on to it and sneak into the seat behind me to play the music right behind my head. I hate these kids. How can I read with the music and the girls and the baby and the brakes? Buses blow.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Really cool...and really hot...
I'm not sure if Adidas' new rugby commercial is played in the U.S. Rugby, I've learned, is a really cool game and, even cooler is the Haka that is performed by the New Zealand squad before big games. The Haka is a Maori war dance and chant that is used by New Zealand's "All Blacks" to rally before a game and to intimidate the other team. Look at it here. Or, learn more about it with this video. I don't know why but I think it rocks.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Have they finally gone completely mad?
Yesterday, the House of Representatives narrowly defeated a budget plan which would have, among other atrocities stripped health care by $900 MILLION. That includes major cuts to the CDC (that's Centers for Disease Control). Really?!? As we gear up to grapple with a potential pandemic of bird flu and as congress has been asked to approve an astronomical amount of money for preparations for a pandemic-is that really the time to try and strip money from health care? This president, in his desire for popularity and higher approval ratings has made history by granting tax cuts for the first time in our country's existence during a time of war. We can't fund a war and continue to enjoy our standard of living if taxes are cut. Why don't people get that when taxes are cut, benefits are cut more. I'm very angry. In addition to the disgusting cut of health care, the proposed budget also froze Pell Grants. That marks the first time in a decade that cuts would have been made to education-under the supervision of "the education president". It also tried to cut health care benefits and food stamps programs in order to offset the costs of the hurricanes. We have to take money from the poorest people in order to help? In response, Georgie had this to say [with my comments]:
"I applaud the Republican Members [Idiots!] of the House who passed a significant savings package that will restrain spending [except militarily] and keep us on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009 [even as experts predict the deficit will continue to grow]," the statement said. "We will continue to fund our priorities in a fiscally responsible [bullshit!!] way and ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely [aka on a war that we have no business in] or not spent at all. I urge the House and Senate to reach agreement promptly on a spending-reduction package that I can sign into law this year[nice hint at your veto power asshole]."
He's so hateable!
If you need a little pick me up now, check this video of yesterday's speech by Rep. Murtha (conservative democrat, major patriot, former marine): video
"I applaud the Republican Members [Idiots!] of the House who passed a significant savings package that will restrain spending [except militarily] and keep us on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009 [even as experts predict the deficit will continue to grow]," the statement said. "We will continue to fund our priorities in a fiscally responsible [bullshit!!] way and ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely [aka on a war that we have no business in] or not spent at all. I urge the House and Senate to reach agreement promptly on a spending-reduction package that I can sign into law this year[nice hint at your veto power asshole]."
He's so hateable!
If you need a little pick me up now, check this video of yesterday's speech by Rep. Murtha (conservative democrat, major patriot, former marine): video
Monday, November 14, 2005
Volare...Oh Oh...Cantare...
Part the First: In Which Becki Comes to London...
The fun started on November 2nd when Becki finally got to Gatwick. After what was intended to be a very stylized slow-motion style, Love Actually-like, reunion but which turned out to be just a happy hug, we started THE BIG TRIP. After we got all settled and had the bags put in their place, I escorted her on a walking tour of London. It was very refreshing to see the city from that perspective. After you live somewhere, especially in a city, you often stop visiting those areas that are "touristy" but which, in actuality, influenced you to move there in the first place. Or maybe that's just me? At any rate, I loved showing off this city. We eventually worked our way to Carnaby Street and "The Shakespeare's Head" for a traditional pub meal. Earlier in the day, we had fully addressed Becki's irrational fear of fish so, waiting for the fish and chips was semi-nerve-wracking. We weren't sure if there would be a head and, if there was, what we would do. Anyway, we gorged ourselves and then went for cocktails in Soho. We eventually made our way to some bar with a poster of a drag queen promising a night, "more fun than a day at the job centre." We got there just in time for the start of the evening which was, naturally, a drag queen-hosted game show called "Bling Blang Blung" featuring the talents of Laquisha Jonz. Ridiculous games occurred and we had fun even though I got all of my questions wrong.
The rest of our time in London flew by. On Thursday we saw the new Shunt Show underneath London Bridge Station which was kinda cool but not as cool as their last show. On Friday we looked at the Tate Modern and had dinner at Nando's, a restaurant which people are constantly raving about but is actually kinda gross. On Saturday we met up with Marcelo and spent the day walking around the Portobello Road market. Anyway, London was fun; we had many laughs, we did some things, we poked fun at strangers and enjoyed seeing one another. Then...
The fun started on November 2nd when Becki finally got to Gatwick. After what was intended to be a very stylized slow-motion style, Love Actually-like, reunion but which turned out to be just a happy hug, we started THE BIG TRIP. After we got all settled and had the bags put in their place, I escorted her on a walking tour of London. It was very refreshing to see the city from that perspective. After you live somewhere, especially in a city, you often stop visiting those areas that are "touristy" but which, in actuality, influenced you to move there in the first place. Or maybe that's just me? At any rate, I loved showing off this city. We eventually worked our way to Carnaby Street and "The Shakespeare's Head" for a traditional pub meal. Earlier in the day, we had fully addressed Becki's irrational fear of fish so, waiting for the fish and chips was semi-nerve-wracking. We weren't sure if there would be a head and, if there was, what we would do. Anyway, we gorged ourselves and then went for cocktails in Soho. We eventually made our way to some bar with a poster of a drag queen promising a night, "more fun than a day at the job centre." We got there just in time for the start of the evening which was, naturally, a drag queen-hosted game show called "Bling Blang Blung" featuring the talents of Laquisha Jonz. Ridiculous games occurred and we had fun even though I got all of my questions wrong.The rest of our time in London flew by. On Thursday we saw the new Shunt Show underneath London Bridge Station which was kinda cool but not as cool as their last show. On Friday we looked at the Tate Modern and had dinner at Nando's, a restaurant which people are constantly raving about but is actually kinda gross. On Saturday we met up with Marcelo and spent the day walking around the Portobello Road market. Anyway, London was fun; we had many laughs, we did some things, we poked fun at strangers and enjoyed seeing one another. Then...
Part the Second: In Which we find Spirituality and a Ducken...
Very (too?) early on the 6th, we flew to Rome (henceforth referred to as Roma.) During the flight
I read my travel book and found that November is the rainiest month for Roma but I refused to accept this. I knew the gods would grant us a pleasant stay. We landed and promptly stood in line, in the pouring rain, for half an hour waiting for our bus. I was slightly amused. Becki was not. No biggie though, the rain let up while we were on the bus and we got to Termini only slightly damp and happy to note that we were comfortable sans coats. We checked into the Hotel Fawlty Towers and headed out to explore.
We saw some things: Piazza di Spagna, some mausoleum, the river Tiber and a bridge full of Bernini angels leading to Castel San Angelo. I'm not sure how everyone else feels but, I am constantly amazed by the sculpture of Bernini. I could stare at it for hours on end. Anyway, we continued from the bridge to Vatican City, stopping on the way for gelato. We were so lucky to go to St. Peter's when we did. Just as we walked in a vespers service was starting at the far end of the church. There's really nothing quite like St. Peter's. I'm not what you'd call a religious person but the sheer beauty of that building and the attention and care exacted in it's design makes me a little weak in the knees. All of that beauty was of course heightened by the sounds of mass going on; complete with organ and singing. If you ever get to, go to St. Peter's and try to feel what's going on. I'm not especially spiritual but the confluence of art and atmosphere in this place just feels so intense. Moral of this story-go to Roma, see St. Peter's Basilica at some point in your life.
Mass was ended, we went in peace to the square where the rain really started. This time however there was no bus coming to get us. We just had to tough it out and walk the 45 minutes or so while cowering under one umbrella. Admittedly, Becki got much wetter than I did and had to remove her glasses. She was therefore, cold, wet and blind in a foreign city where she didn't speak the language. That's an adventure! We made it home safe and sound and went to bed cold and tired.
Monday morning changed it all though. The rain was gone for good and we took off for a day looking at the Coliseum and the Forum. Il Foro Romano was much more interesting than I expected it to be and I was glad to spend some time there. After a few hours amongst the ruins we stopped at the National Monument and gazed at the tomb of the unknown soldier and various monumental sculptures. From here we hit Fontana di Trevi and then found the Pantheon which was a beautiful building but rather tragic. It's architecture very clearly denotes it as a "pagan" temple but it's decorated within in the most horrible "quick let's christian this place up" kinda way. So sad! In the piazza in front, we sat around a fountain and I eaves-dropped in German before a film crew showed up, seemingly making some kinda documentary. We may be in it. At one point, as Becki tried to wipe something off my face, I was forced to declare, "Never clean me in a documentary." When you think about it, those are words to live by.
After fun-with-film-crew time, we went to Piazza Navona for coffee and culture. Here we found a little Italian band with accordions and a crazy gypsy dancer who was quite viscous. Becki made a movie all about the viciousness and when I figure it out, I'll post it. After the dancing we witnessed a very bad British juggler who, "breeved fire."
We had agreed early on that we would go to the Trattoria dell'Omo for dinner one night as this was the site of many fond memories from my first trip to Roma. This visit however involved a table of about 20 Australian choir members. For a place with only one waiter, that puts a strain on everything. We had to wait a long time but it was okay because we got very drunk on cheap Italian wine. Evidence with toothpaste:
The next morning was, needless to say, rough:
We were in no mood to do much of anything so we headed to the park and just lounged all day. It was in the afternoon though that we started hearing strange noises. On closer inspection we discovered a pond full of ducks and geese and swans...and the ducken! The ducken was the strangest bird I'd ever seen. It looked to be some strange cross between a duck and a chicken (we could've called it a chuck!) and I'm pretty sure it quacked like a donkey.
Very (too?) early on the 6th, we flew to Rome (henceforth referred to as Roma.) During the flight
I read my travel book and found that November is the rainiest month for Roma but I refused to accept this. I knew the gods would grant us a pleasant stay. We landed and promptly stood in line, in the pouring rain, for half an hour waiting for our bus. I was slightly amused. Becki was not. No biggie though, the rain let up while we were on the bus and we got to Termini only slightly damp and happy to note that we were comfortable sans coats. We checked into the Hotel Fawlty Towers and headed out to explore.We saw some things: Piazza di Spagna, some mausoleum, the river Tiber and a bridge full of Bernini angels leading to Castel San Angelo. I'm not sure how everyone else feels but, I am constantly amazed by the sculpture of Bernini. I could stare at it for hours on end. Anyway, we continued from the bridge to Vatican City, stopping on the way for gelato. We were so lucky to go to St. Peter's when we did. Just as we walked in a vespers service was starting at the far end of the church. There's really nothing quite like St. Peter's. I'm not what you'd call a religious person but the sheer beauty of that building and the attention and care exacted in it's design makes me a little weak in the knees. All of that beauty was of course heightened by the sounds of mass going on; complete with organ and singing. If you ever get to, go to St. Peter's and try to feel what's going on. I'm not especially spiritual but the confluence of art and atmosphere in this place just feels so intense. Moral of this story-go to Roma, see St. Peter's Basilica at some point in your life.
Mass was ended, we went in peace to the square where the rain really started. This time however there was no bus coming to get us. We just had to tough it out and walk the 45 minutes or so while cowering under one umbrella. Admittedly, Becki got much wetter than I did and had to remove her glasses. She was therefore, cold, wet and blind in a foreign city where she didn't speak the language. That's an adventure! We made it home safe and sound and went to bed cold and tired.
Monday morning changed it all though. The rain was gone for good and we took off for a day looking at the Coliseum and the Forum. Il Foro Romano was much more interesting than I expected it to be and I was glad to spend some time there. After a few hours amongst the ruins we stopped at the National Monument and gazed at the tomb of the unknown soldier and various monumental sculptures. From here we hit Fontana di Trevi and then found the Pantheon which was a beautiful building but rather tragic. It's architecture very clearly denotes it as a "pagan" temple but it's decorated within in the most horrible "quick let's christian this place up" kinda way. So sad! In the piazza in front, we sat around a fountain and I eaves-dropped in German before a film crew showed up, seemingly making some kinda documentary. We may be in it. At one point, as Becki tried to wipe something off my face, I was forced to declare, "Never clean me in a documentary." When you think about it, those are words to live by.After fun-with-film-crew time, we went to Piazza Navona for coffee and culture. Here we found a little Italian band with accordions and a crazy gypsy dancer who was quite viscous. Becki made a movie all about the viciousness and when I figure it out, I'll post it. After the dancing we witnessed a very bad British juggler who, "breeved fire."
We had agreed early on that we would go to the Trattoria dell'Omo for dinner one night as this was the site of many fond memories from my first trip to Roma. This visit however involved a table of about 20 Australian choir members. For a place with only one waiter, that puts a strain on everything. We had to wait a long time but it was okay because we got very drunk on cheap Italian wine. Evidence with toothpaste:
The next morning was, needless to say, rough:
We were in no mood to do much of anything so we headed to the park and just lounged all day. It was in the afternoon though that we started hearing strange noises. On closer inspection we discovered a pond full of ducks and geese and swans...and the ducken! The ducken was the strangest bird I'd ever seen. It looked to be some strange cross between a duck and a chicken (we could've called it a chuck!) and I'm pretty sure it quacked like a donkey.
After the park, we walked around for a while. We eventually sat at a cafe sipping coffees and peroni's while night set in. We found a little ristorante on the way back to the hostel that was great. It featured a large italian waiter who stood calmly in the doorway while another, smaller waiter buzzed around. I'm pretty sure they had aprons and towels tucked in their belts. We ate outside and after a while a street guitarist showed up to strum and sing (with the waiters singing back up) such songs as: Que Sera, Volare, and Arrivederci Roma. It was all so stylistically/aesthetically perfect. Arrivederci Roma indeed...
Part the Third: In Which We Glimpse Eden...
According to the legend, Hercules was in love with a nymph named Amalfi and was so sad when she died that he buried her in the most beautiful place on Earth and gave that place her name...
On Wednesday morning, we hopped a train da Roma, a Salerno. Once there, we got on a bus and rode for about an hour on a highway along the Mediterranean Sea. An hour on a bus might sound like a long time but, this was the most beautiful bus ride I've ever had. The whole way, the sea was on one side and mountains on the other. Amalfi is seriously beautiful and describing it would be futile so here are some pics:
So, we totally went to Amalfi! Our room was at A Scallinatella in Atrani which is an even smaller town about 10 minutes' walk from Amalfi on the sea coast. I can't think of a time in my life when I've felt any more at peace than I did in this amazing place. Any nagging worries or concerns that I had melted away. I spent a day here hiking all over Amalfi and discovering secret little alleys and staircases that led to interesting places. I spent another day hiking through the valley which encloses Atrani. I got up early and took off up into the mountains. There were many cocks actually crowing and I got to see an chickens being fed and the sun peeking into the valley. It's been said that "The day of judgment for those that die in Amalfi is probably just like any other day" and really... it couldn't be more true.
In addition to amazing natural beauty, we also ate the best meal of our lives. At La Cantina San Nicola, Becki and I tasted heaven. Turns out heaven tastes like this: smoked mozzarella between lemon leaves, Mama Margherita's Meatloaf, Lasagne Neopolitana, Stuffed Calimari and Stuffed Crepe. Delizioso!
We also spent some serious time on the beach. The Mediterranean was surprisingly warm and I'm so glad to have swam in it in November. There were lots of beautiful people about and a lot of little old ladies rockin their bikinis. Each night there we would go to the beach and stare at the stars and drink wine (which was about €2/bottle (coke was €3.50)). Drinking wine on a beach under stars with the sounds of waves and a great friend...it doesn't get much better than that. More pics:
According to the legend, Hercules was in love with a nymph named Amalfi and was so sad when she died that he buried her in the most beautiful place on Earth and gave that place her name...On Wednesday morning, we hopped a train da Roma, a Salerno. Once there, we got on a bus and rode for about an hour on a highway along the Mediterranean Sea. An hour on a bus might sound like a long time but, this was the most beautiful bus ride I've ever had. The whole way, the sea was on one side and mountains on the other. Amalfi is seriously beautiful and describing it would be futile so here are some pics:
So, we totally went to Amalfi! Our room was at A Scallinatella in Atrani which is an even smaller town about 10 minutes' walk from Amalfi on the sea coast. I can't think of a time in my life when I've felt any more at peace than I did in this amazing place. Any nagging worries or concerns that I had melted away. I spent a day here hiking all over Amalfi and discovering secret little alleys and staircases that led to interesting places. I spent another day hiking through the valley which encloses Atrani. I got up early and took off up into the mountains. There were many cocks actually crowing and I got to see an chickens being fed and the sun peeking into the valley. It's been said that "The day of judgment for those that die in Amalfi is probably just like any other day" and really... it couldn't be more true.
In addition to amazing natural beauty, we also ate the best meal of our lives. At La Cantina San Nicola, Becki and I tasted heaven. Turns out heaven tastes like this: smoked mozzarella between lemon leaves, Mama Margherita's Meatloaf, Lasagne Neopolitana, Stuffed Calimari and Stuffed Crepe. Delizioso!
We also spent some serious time on the beach. The Mediterranean was surprisingly warm and I'm so glad to have swam in it in November. There were lots of beautiful people about and a lot of little old ladies rockin their bikinis. Each night there we would go to the beach and stare at the stars and drink wine (which was about €2/bottle (coke was €3.50)). Drinking wine on a beach under stars with the sounds of waves and a great friend...it doesn't get much better than that. More pics:
Part the Fourth: In Which We Return to the Real World...
Once again we got to enjoy the bus trip back to Salerno and then we got on the train back to Roma. This time though we got to sit in a compartment with some very friendly Sicilianos. They were all very eager to talk but spoke no English. We therefore had a very interesting conversation which was more reliant on my phrase book than I would have liked. I learned how much this book sucked during this conversation. I've outlined below some phrases I wish I knew how to say and some that I can say thanks to the Berlitz Italian Phrase Book:
I was here in January. - ?
I have a vaginal infection. - Ho un'infezione vaginale.
Yes, I have a sunburn. - ?
I don't want it extracted. - Non voglio un'estrazione.
How long does the train take from Syracuse? - ?
Can you recommend a good steakhouse? - Puo consigliare un buon ristorante specializzato in bistecche?
No, I'm American but I live in London and I have Irish skin. We're in Italy on holiday. - ?
I am famous. - Mi famoso.
Oh, he likes the cover. - ?
This is really a crap book. - ?
I want a specimen of your stool. - Voglio un campione feci.
25 - ?
We're both 23. - ?
Do you speak German? - ?
Anyway, we had a nice chat even so. The one with down syndrome was apparently taken with my crap book because the signorinas on the cover were hot. I ripped off the cover and gave it to him as a souvenir of the two American kids that couldn't talk.
We flew from Roma to London on Saturday with Ryan Air which is a very cheap but also very inefficient airline. We met a crazy, semi-sober, elderly British woman who was very upset about the queuing (or not, as it were) in Ciampino airport. At one point she muttered to Becki and I, "I'm losin' the will ta live." We laughed. After a bus, a plane and two more buses, we finally got to my flat and crashed. On Sunday morning we woke up and watched The Music Man on TV and then headed to Hyde Park to take advantage of the perfect autumn weather.
Later on Sunday evening we met up with Marcelo and some other Brazilians for 'Gay Bingo' in Shoreditch. We drank many drinks and played a lot of bingo and it was crazy fun. Who knew gay bingo was where it's at? It was hosted by an insane drag queen (think Brent Barkhaus on speed) who called the numbers by weaving them into disgusting stories or scatting them like a punk rock jazz singer. So much fun!! We had an awesome time and it was the most cliche, bestest vacation ever. Ciao Becki, see you soon.
Then it was over and back to work on Monday. At least I get views like this from my office:
Once again we got to enjoy the bus trip back to Salerno and then we got on the train back to Roma. This time though we got to sit in a compartment with some very friendly Sicilianos. They were all very eager to talk but spoke no English. We therefore had a very interesting conversation which was more reliant on my phrase book than I would have liked. I learned how much this book sucked during this conversation. I've outlined below some phrases I wish I knew how to say and some that I can say thanks to the Berlitz Italian Phrase Book:
I was here in January. - ?
I have a vaginal infection. - Ho un'infezione vaginale.
Yes, I have a sunburn. - ?
I don't want it extracted. - Non voglio un'estrazione.
How long does the train take from Syracuse? - ?
Can you recommend a good steakhouse? - Puo consigliare un buon ristorante specializzato in bistecche?
No, I'm American but I live in London and I have Irish skin. We're in Italy on holiday. - ?
I am famous. - Mi famoso.
Oh, he likes the cover. - ?
This is really a crap book. - ?
I want a specimen of your stool. - Voglio un campione feci.
25 - ?
We're both 23. - ?
Do you speak German? - ?
Anyway, we had a nice chat even so. The one with down syndrome was apparently taken with my crap book because the signorinas on the cover were hot. I ripped off the cover and gave it to him as a souvenir of the two American kids that couldn't talk.
We flew from Roma to London on Saturday with Ryan Air which is a very cheap but also very inefficient airline. We met a crazy, semi-sober, elderly British woman who was very upset about the queuing (or not, as it were) in Ciampino airport. At one point she muttered to Becki and I, "I'm losin' the will ta live." We laughed. After a bus, a plane and two more buses, we finally got to my flat and crashed. On Sunday morning we woke up and watched The Music Man on TV and then headed to Hyde Park to take advantage of the perfect autumn weather.
Later on Sunday evening we met up with Marcelo and some other Brazilians for 'Gay Bingo' in Shoreditch. We drank many drinks and played a lot of bingo and it was crazy fun. Who knew gay bingo was where it's at? It was hosted by an insane drag queen (think Brent Barkhaus on speed) who called the numbers by weaving them into disgusting stories or scatting them like a punk rock jazz singer. So much fun!! We had an awesome time and it was the most cliche, bestest vacation ever. Ciao Becki, see you soon.
Then it was over and back to work on Monday. At least I get views like this from my office:
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
A little news recap through my eyes...
So, Scooter's been indicted, Harriet's said a long-overdue 'goodbye', Alito's up, and then there's bird flu:
Some in the blog world have called last Friday Fitzmas in honor of Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald. I'm not satisfied though. Sure, Libby got nailed for lying to the grand jury which is inexcusable but so far, no one has gotten in trouble for leaking the name of a CIA operative. I refuse to believe that it was all circumstantial and that it wasn't a crime because the leakers didn't know she was an op. That's bull shit, they knew-the hard part of course, is proving they did. I'm also worried that the investigation is over without really looking into how much Dick and Bushie knew. I don't think a chief of staff would leak the name of an undercover op and then lie to a grand jury about it just because. He's obviously protecting someone and it's shameful. Also, it's very hard to judge the response of the public from this side of the pond. I'm willing to bet that the average American didn't know the investigation was going on, much less that the office of Chief of Staff exists. It's so depressing... So, someone tell me what's playing out in the States, outside of the NY Times.
Let's all say a collective 'Ciao' to Harriet Miers. She will be remembered for inadvertently bringing the parties together; united in disdain. Bye bye Har! Now we have a new ideologue to contend with in the form of Samuel A. Alito. I don't really know enough about him yet to legitimately dislike him. All I know is that President Bush has more adequately covered his bases and indeed his base with this one: the dude's a judge, a hardcore republican with a clear history of right-wing decision-making, he's religious but Catholic rather than Baptist. This is going to be a tough fight for the dems. Opposing a nominee on an ideological basis may be necessary but will not be well received. Thoughts?
Bird flu freaks me out. Yesterday's Metro told of the declaration by the Minister of Health for Australia that, should an outbreak of a human strain of bird flu occur in SE Asia as is feared, then virtually all international travel will be halted. I really don't want to be stuck in Britain in the face of a pandemic. All of the world's leading authorities on disease are calling a human strain and subsequent pandemic inevitable. The only question is when it will occur. I don't like it one bit. Here's an interesting tangent though: scientists say the virus WILL mutate to become a human disease. Is this evolution or intelligent design? Is the designer just sick of us and being creative by bringing death-by-bird or is this in the mold of the previous millennia of history which have shown that Darwin actually was on to something there?
Some in the blog world have called last Friday Fitzmas in honor of Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald. I'm not satisfied though. Sure, Libby got nailed for lying to the grand jury which is inexcusable but so far, no one has gotten in trouble for leaking the name of a CIA operative. I refuse to believe that it was all circumstantial and that it wasn't a crime because the leakers didn't know she was an op. That's bull shit, they knew-the hard part of course, is proving they did. I'm also worried that the investigation is over without really looking into how much Dick and Bushie knew. I don't think a chief of staff would leak the name of an undercover op and then lie to a grand jury about it just because. He's obviously protecting someone and it's shameful. Also, it's very hard to judge the response of the public from this side of the pond. I'm willing to bet that the average American didn't know the investigation was going on, much less that the office of Chief of Staff exists. It's so depressing... So, someone tell me what's playing out in the States, outside of the NY Times.
Let's all say a collective 'Ciao' to Harriet Miers. She will be remembered for inadvertently bringing the parties together; united in disdain. Bye bye Har! Now we have a new ideologue to contend with in the form of Samuel A. Alito. I don't really know enough about him yet to legitimately dislike him. All I know is that President Bush has more adequately covered his bases and indeed his base with this one: the dude's a judge, a hardcore republican with a clear history of right-wing decision-making, he's religious but Catholic rather than Baptist. This is going to be a tough fight for the dems. Opposing a nominee on an ideological basis may be necessary but will not be well received. Thoughts?
Bird flu freaks me out. Yesterday's Metro told of the declaration by the Minister of Health for Australia that, should an outbreak of a human strain of bird flu occur in SE Asia as is feared, then virtually all international travel will be halted. I really don't want to be stuck in Britain in the face of a pandemic. All of the world's leading authorities on disease are calling a human strain and subsequent pandemic inevitable. The only question is when it will occur. I don't like it one bit. Here's an interesting tangent though: scientists say the virus WILL mutate to become a human disease. Is this evolution or intelligent design? Is the designer just sick of us and being creative by bringing death-by-bird or is this in the mold of the previous millennia of history which have shown that Darwin actually was on to something there?
They say everything is bigger in Texas....
but I bet England would win in a battle of the slugs. From my kitchen:
Thursday, October 27, 2005
You know that scene in 'L'Auberge espagnole'...
where everyone is drunk and having so much fun and then they end up singing 'No Woman No Cry' in the middle of Barcelona at 4am? Well, I had a night sort of like that last night. It was really the kind of night that I came here to have. Leaving work around 6:30, a few of us walked to Soho to Pop, a downstairs club that was delightfully kitschy. We had come to see some 'new and promising' young band that Jenny had received an email about. It was one of those totally off the cuff type things except that we had to organize a list of who was coming. In the end, about 10 of us went. It was a great group of people that I knew well, a little bit or not at all. We had such an awesome time sharing wine and listening to what turned out to be some pretty great bands. The second group was more engaging than the first but they both earned our seal of approval. You can sample the second group, Mr. Hudson and Friends by going here. I had that totally cliche experience of scanning our round table and watching everyone watch the band and I felt so happy. These are the experiences that I'll remember. After Mr. Hudson got done, a couple of people wanted to go dancing so we thought we'd check it out. Olga, my new friend from Moldova, loves to Salsa so we went to some place called, I think, Salsation. I was not expecting to see people legitimately Salsa-ing but they were. Naturally Alicia, the resident es-Spanish chica was all over it. Jenny and I couldn't hack it and were afraid of missing the tube so we reluctantly left. Such a fabulous night. In general, since I moved, I just feel happier. It also helps that I now have a ticket back home which puts some finality on my adventures and is really making me look at things through a somewhat nostalgic lens.
This post needs editing and hopefully will get it soon. You get it tho.
This post needs editing and hopefully will get it soon. You get it tho.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Diva: 2003-2005
It's with a heavy heart that I report the death of my cat, Diva. After struggling with a urinary tract infection and kidney trouble, my rambuncious little fireball had to be put down. Many of you met her/were lovingly attacked by her over the last couple years. She will be remembered for her crazy, unique personality and affable charm. Although she only got to be with me for a relatively short time, she was totally mine and loved me unconditionally. I feel sad that I couldn't see her in her final days. I remember coming home to always find her laying on some tiny shred of clothing I had discarded or sleeping in a box that was always too small for her. Ciao Baby, love ya!
Germans/Dildos/Queens
It's so nice to have Germans in the house. I feel so much happier at home with more people there. Sabine and Niklas are visiting this week for a few days. The dynamic seems a bit more balanced with more friends at home. Anyway....I'm moving this weekend and I'm nervous/excited.
Not much else is happening. Monday night I left work early to walk with a couple coworkers to Soho. It was so cool to walk there. I never really see how the city is put together, I just pop up from the tube in the area I need to be. So, we walked for about an hour and then went shopping because the girls needed, ahem, some toys. Soho, for those of you who don't know is the hip, happening, sex district of London. It's also right in the heart of the West End. So, we found a promising store and went in to look at the dildos. While Amie and Jenny discussed the pros and cons of each, I looked at the vast array of strange gadgets and pointed out the really 'special' ones to the girls on the other side of the store. One thing in particular, in a special display on the counter caught my eye. It was mounted on a base, sticking straight up and was made of stainless steel. Of course, I wondered what it did. So, I grabbed it and nothing happened. Wondering what was up, I started toying with the knobs on the control console. Still nothing-so I just cranked the knob really fast and wham - I screamed and almost threw the thing across the store. NEVER make a dildo that causes a reaction like that. The thing pulsated with electrical current and I, in my inquisitiveness cranked it to the highest setting it had. So embarrassing. I looked like I had tourette's syndrome. Of course, after that the girls and I had to stand around and poke at it like it was alive and about to bite us. All of this very much amused the staff of the store.
After the porno store fun I met Rachel at the Apollo Theatre for a performance of Mary Stuart, about the last few days in the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. It was really a terrific production featuring two of the best female characters that we've seen. Both Mary and Elizabeth I were expertly played with such attention to detail and the other's character growth. The nuances were so pinpointed. It also had a wonderful design featuring a lot of rain in one scene. Here're some pics:
Not much else is happening. Monday night I left work early to walk with a couple coworkers to Soho. It was so cool to walk there. I never really see how the city is put together, I just pop up from the tube in the area I need to be. So, we walked for about an hour and then went shopping because the girls needed, ahem, some toys. Soho, for those of you who don't know is the hip, happening, sex district of London. It's also right in the heart of the West End. So, we found a promising store and went in to look at the dildos. While Amie and Jenny discussed the pros and cons of each, I looked at the vast array of strange gadgets and pointed out the really 'special' ones to the girls on the other side of the store. One thing in particular, in a special display on the counter caught my eye. It was mounted on a base, sticking straight up and was made of stainless steel. Of course, I wondered what it did. So, I grabbed it and nothing happened. Wondering what was up, I started toying with the knobs on the control console. Still nothing-so I just cranked the knob really fast and wham - I screamed and almost threw the thing across the store. NEVER make a dildo that causes a reaction like that. The thing pulsated with electrical current and I, in my inquisitiveness cranked it to the highest setting it had. So embarrassing. I looked like I had tourette's syndrome. Of course, after that the girls and I had to stand around and poke at it like it was alive and about to bite us. All of this very much amused the staff of the store.
After the porno store fun I met Rachel at the Apollo Theatre for a performance of Mary Stuart, about the last few days in the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. It was really a terrific production featuring two of the best female characters that we've seen. Both Mary and Elizabeth I were expertly played with such attention to detail and the other's character growth. The nuances were so pinpointed. It also had a wonderful design featuring a lot of rain in one scene. Here're some pics:
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Large Man-Little Piano
So, Woyzeck rates as one of the all-time best things I've ever seen on a stage. The whole production was very appropriately stylized but also tight. These people knew what they were doing. For those of you that aren't familiar with Woyzeck, let me give you a brief summary from the program:
A hostage to fortune, class and his sadistic superiors, Woyzeck's fate is played out in a series of nightmarish encounters. He stumbles through a world of macabre carnival, sexual betrayal and cruel oppression, pursued by the demons of his own paranoid fantasies. Pushed beyond breaking point, Woyzeck's last love-crazed act tragically destroys the only thing he truly cares for.
Sounds deep, no? With a play so layered with meaning, it would be easy for any company to mess it up. Luckily for me, Vesturport knows. Firstly, I have to mention the music; this was a semi-musical with new music and lyrics having been written by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis of The Bad Seeds. It was really superb. Every song worked both lyrically and stylistically. It was really a cool achievement. Also on the aesthetic front, the set was amazing. There were two levels, a la the Greek stage, both covered in grass and a crazy tangle of metal ducts and pipework upstage with people crawling around. Then, at one point, the outer surround of the higher level was removed to reveal the glass-enclosed POOL underneath. SOOOO much water imagery. As Marie went about her first act of sexual betrayal, in the pool, a chorus sang and the water bubbled. I've never seen something so sexually charged and emotionally riveting on stage. Also, while they consummated their affair, flowers fell from the ceiling and stuck into the stage, staying straight up and the water shot into the air in spurts-uh huh. Speaking of the affair, I should mention his entrance, which came via the ceiling, on bungee cables while singing a rock anthem. About half-way through the song, many people in the audience stood up and sang, as they were of course, his back-up singers.
At the end, for those of you wondering, Woyzeck has finally gone slightly mad (or has he?) and Marie must die. In the real-life story, he stabs her several times but in the play, he drowns her. The final act had been so expertly foreshadowed that when it finally happened, it was not really shocking but sort-of beautiful and cathartic. The genius of German expressionism is that it forces the audience into the head of the main character. In this case, when the time finally came, it felt, for the audience like a giant release; what we'd been waiting for. Throughout much of the play, Woyzeck and Marie had interacted with the water. It became almost home. Woyzeck, when spying on her, swam back and forth in the skinny tank while stripping down to his briefs. Emotional rawness/animal instincts played out with physical near-nakedness. Finally, nudity (while not complete) that wasn't gratuitous. The image that stays in my mind is not the final image as would be expected with both Marie and Woyzeck, having taken his own life, floating in the red-lit water but rather, the image I keep is from a few minutes before. Woyzeck is beat to a pulp by Marie's lover and left lying. The icon was so specific. For a brief moment, nothing happened and the audience was confronted with the image of a very strong man, soaking wet, naked to the world but for his briefs, lying defeated on the perfect green grass of his home. C'est magnifique!
Friday, October 14, 2005
Experimental Theatre...
I am very excited. Tonight, after work, I'm off to the Barbican Theatre for a performance of Woyzeck (yes, that Woyzeck). I have high expectations for this play. It's being performed/produced by Vesturport Theatre from Reykjavik, Iceland, which previously brought an acrobatic version of Romeo and Juliet to London to great acclaim. I think it'll be awesome.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
I bask in cliche...
Today, as I was thinking about the sorry state of our world (a topic I ponder most days), this poem kept coming into my head. Although written almost 100 years ago when India was fighting for independence, this poem's prescience is still there. I'll let you all think of it for yourselves. Please don't let the overt religious-sounding sentiments get in the way of the meat.
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake
-Rabindranath Tagore (1910)
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake
-Rabindranath Tagore (1910)
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Even if Rome were a stop on the Piccadilly Line...
it wouldn't matter since I am paying so little for my flight there! For just about £33, I've booked a round trip flight to Rome. I pay almost that for a weekly ticket on the tube. So, Becki is officially coming for a visit for the first two weeks of November and I couldn't be happier. We're going to have a few days here (during which I'll have to work) and then we're off to Italia. Part of me feels guilty for spending my week off going somewhere I've already been but, Italy in general and Rome in particular are fuckin' cool. I can't wait to see stuff that I loved last time and stuff I didn't have time for. Also, it's gonna be so great just being outside London. Especially somewhere warm and with a sea nearby. It's gonna be awesome!!
In other news, I've become proactive about my living situation. I finally had enough of feeling like an intruder in the house I pay to live in. While Rachel was in Scotland last week, I was playing that stupid game of leaving before Elias was up and coming home after he was asleep just because I didn't want to see him or talk to him. So, I found a new place that is closer to work, costs the same, has a bigger room, and is filled with gay guys. I think it'll be fun to live with new people for a couple months. The only down side is leaving Rachel. We'll still live in the same city though, just on opposite sides of it.
In honour of Becki's visit, here's a cute pic of us:
In other news, I've become proactive about my living situation. I finally had enough of feeling like an intruder in the house I pay to live in. While Rachel was in Scotland last week, I was playing that stupid game of leaving before Elias was up and coming home after he was asleep just because I didn't want to see him or talk to him. So, I found a new place that is closer to work, costs the same, has a bigger room, and is filled with gay guys. I think it'll be fun to live with new people for a couple months. The only down side is leaving Rachel. We'll still live in the same city though, just on opposite sides of it.
In honour of Becki's visit, here's a cute pic of us:
Should I be more concerned...
Because the President has nominated a "close, personal friend" to the Supreme Court or because that nominee, in correspondence with Bush uses language like this?:
- "You are the best governor ever...",
- "I was struck by the tremendous impact you have on the children whose lives you touch.",
- "Hopefully Jenna and Barbara recognize that their parents are 'cool' - as do the rest of us."
Never be in a situation where George W. Bush sounds more intelligent than you. Also, the hero worship kind of stuff she was writing to him is NOT a good sign. OOOOFF, she's so rough!! Read the NY Times article here.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Monday, October 03, 2005
Excuse me?
Call me old-fashioned but, I just prefer my Supreme Court nominees to have some experience as a judge. I also would like it if they didn't come from President Bush's "inner circle". Nice half-assed President!
Saturday, October 01, 2005
"Dahling, don't woory, I vill make you a mediceen"
so spoke my fabulous Russian boss before presenting me with a lunch-time cold remedy; honey and fresh lemon juice in a large shot of vodka. She's so Russian!
Remember 'Hooray for CA'?
Back in early September, California became the first state in the country to allow same-sex marriage through an act of it's legislature. On Thursday, Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed that bill saying that the issue should be decided by the voters or the courts. The republican party in action...this is the party that declared that the courts were over-stepping their bounds and trying to legislate after the MA supreme court said that denying gay and lesbian citizens equal rights was illegal. Now, when the legislature has enacted the same principle, the party says the court should decide. Oh, or the voters...never mind that the voters elected the legislature to represent them. How often are people offended by the actions of their "representatives" on other issues? Shall we now have a public vote on absolutely every bill to come up? Where is the line between what is appropriate for the legislature to decide and what should be left to the voters. I doubt that, were it left to a public vote, we would have declared war on Iraq but, our representatives did decide...same-sex marriage though, should be a court or voter issue. Be disgusted! Be angry!
Friday, September 30, 2005
Some things I mean to talk about...
Can you believe this is our nation?
- Karl Rove and perhaps other administration officials aided in the disclosure of a CIA operative for political gain
- Katrina fuck ups
- Reporter jailed for upholding journalistic integrity
- Former Secretary of Education at best stupid, at worst horribly(!!!) racist: reduce crime rate by aborting black babies
- GAO finds Bush white house guilty of spending money on propaganda and fixed news
- Supreme (?) Court
- Creationism?!?!?!?! excuse me...Intelligent Design (bullshit!)
- the new McCarthy; Vatican will hunt out the catholic gays in all the seminaries
- American soldiers torturing prisoners/American government illegally detaining foreign nationals/American soldiers trading war pics for porn
and 1 really great thing for ya'll to think about. this is really what we fight for: the same people that proposed the amendment in MA that would undo the court-ordered same-sex marriages, voted against it after seeing what those marriages did for society. Knowledge and fairness win!
Does anyone else feel like the country is in limbo? Like we're sort of waiting for the storm to subside and then we'll assess the damage and begin the long work of fixing it? I'm sick of watching this government run rampant...I'm afraid of the damage that is and can be done.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Today was a sick day...
It was inevitable I think, that I would get sick. Everyone else at the office has been or is sick and we are a pathetic sight. So, today I woke up and realized that I needed to just stay in bed. It's been a wonderful day of just lounging and relaxing.
In other news, it's autumn! After taking a few tentative steps out of summer, Mother Nature has now fully immersed us in the fall splendor. The summer/fall change always gets me real excited. I think it has something to do with heading back to school and going shopping but, every year I get reminded of something. Overnight, it seems, window displays have changed and trees have changed colors, the smell of autumn is everywhere and scarves are out in force. I love it.
The living situation has gotten increasingly ruff. Elias has been running his law practice out of our living room and just doesn't get why that makes us uncomfortable. I think most people would agree that it sucks to come home after a long day of work and be made to feel strange because you want to eat at the table but, there are clients there. I feel like I should be able to use the living room that I'm paying for without feeling like I'm intruding in an office. Try explaining that to a Kenyan though. OOF! So, what should have been a simple discussion of "this is what we find ruff" turned into a 2 versus 1 all-out argument. I don't have the energy. I used to be nice, everyone was friendly, things were as they should be or were promised to be improved. Now, two months on, the excuses are wearing thin and, I kinda want to move. Besides it being annoying, it's also very far from the places I want to be. I may start looking for somewhere else to spend the rest of my London time. blah blah blah
Rachel and I saw a play the other night. It feels like we've been away from the theatre for a long time. It was nice to return, even if we did have to stand for the whole thing. It was in the Donmar Warehouse which was a space I had wanted to see for a long time. We both agreed that the play was wonderful and, in fact, we even discussed it at some length afterwards which is always nice. It was a very wordy, funny, witty play, in a very well put together production. If you have the chance to see The Philanthropist, it is highly recommended.
Anyway, I've rambled, I've bored myself and possibly you, I'm tired, I'm sick, I'm going to bed.
In other news, it's autumn! After taking a few tentative steps out of summer, Mother Nature has now fully immersed us in the fall splendor. The summer/fall change always gets me real excited. I think it has something to do with heading back to school and going shopping but, every year I get reminded of something. Overnight, it seems, window displays have changed and trees have changed colors, the smell of autumn is everywhere and scarves are out in force. I love it.
The living situation has gotten increasingly ruff. Elias has been running his law practice out of our living room and just doesn't get why that makes us uncomfortable. I think most people would agree that it sucks to come home after a long day of work and be made to feel strange because you want to eat at the table but, there are clients there. I feel like I should be able to use the living room that I'm paying for without feeling like I'm intruding in an office. Try explaining that to a Kenyan though. OOF! So, what should have been a simple discussion of "this is what we find ruff" turned into a 2 versus 1 all-out argument. I don't have the energy. I used to be nice, everyone was friendly, things were as they should be or were promised to be improved. Now, two months on, the excuses are wearing thin and, I kinda want to move. Besides it being annoying, it's also very far from the places I want to be. I may start looking for somewhere else to spend the rest of my London time. blah blah blah
Rachel and I saw a play the other night. It feels like we've been away from the theatre for a long time. It was nice to return, even if we did have to stand for the whole thing. It was in the Donmar Warehouse which was a space I had wanted to see for a long time. We both agreed that the play was wonderful and, in fact, we even discussed it at some length afterwards which is always nice. It was a very wordy, funny, witty play, in a very well put together production. If you have the chance to see The Philanthropist, it is highly recommended.
Anyway, I've rambled, I've bored myself and possibly you, I'm tired, I'm sick, I'm going to bed.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
30 Italians singing 'Crazy for You' makes me happy...
I had an absolutely delightful weekend. For some reason, I awoke in such a happy mood on Saturday, drank my coffee at a leisurely pace and then went out. This is particularly exciting because I am usually so tired after a week of work that on Saturday I have a hard time motivating myself to do anything. Not so this weekend! I had read a review of a particular art exhibit and I was determined to see it. I'd never been to the Old Street area of town and was so happily surprised to find a chic, bohemian, artsy-fartsy area, ripe for exploring. So, I found Hoxton Square and the White Cube gallery and, in my arty way, sat and pondered the exhibit. It was very urbane and pretentious and I loved it. Candice Breitz' current exhibit, Mother + Father consists of two rooms and twelve televisions. In one room, six tvs were arranged in a semicircle, each portraying some famous film actress in a semi-seminal mother role. Breitz had pulled the characters out of their film context and by cutting and splicing their dialogue, made them sort of speak to one another on the topic of motherhood. Julia Roberts cried, Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford freaked out, Shirley Maclaine sang like a crazy person. Same in the second room but this time with fathers played by the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Donald Sutherland and Tony Danza. White Cube's website, in characteristic gallery speak has this to say:
Pirate, composer and DJ, Candice Breitz uses darkly humorous, often subversive tactics to strike out at stereotypes and visual conventions in popular culture. Breitz's acclaimed two-part video installation Mother + Father will be shown downstairs at White Cube. In mirror sequences comprising six channels each, Breitz has edited iconic silver-screen mothers and fathers into shrill fugues of parental breakdown. In one, Faye Dunaway, Diane Keaton, Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon and Meryl Streep protest and proclaim their respective maternal roles; in the second, Dustin Hoffman, Tony Danza, Harvey Keitel, Steve Martin, Donald Sutherland and Jon Voigt perform an entire spectrum of paternal frustrations. Digitally extracted from their original movie contexts, the cast members of Mother + Father are enlisted to perform new dramas of Breitz's making. The actors emerge from the artist's mixing-desk coerced into taut, abrasive compositions.
After that fun, I headed to the upstairs gallery where I found a wall of thirty TVs, each with a different Italian person singing along to Madonna's greatest hits. These people had such an unbridled love for her that the audience couldn't help but feel happy watching these fools sing, tone-deafly, at people in a different country. The best part was when half of them would attempt the back-up vocals, "liv.ing. in. a. mat.er.ial. world.--Materiaaaauuh hull"
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
What the man in front of me...
bought:
2 2-litre bottles of pepsi
1 tub of Greek-style yoghurt
1 can of mushroom pieces
I'm sorry I've been away so long. I do have much to say on: my living situation, Katrina, John Roberts, life without a computer or phone... but alas, it's been kinda tough to write lately. I will be better about this soon. Anyway, tonight, while at the grocery store I took note of the odd purchase described above and I decided that it may be a fun "blog assignment". Everyone reading is to, in the coming days, be alert for things that are just a little peculiar, involving people you don't know and post them in their respective blogs or in my comments section. As I'm sure you all know, talking about people and, indeed, laughing at them, is one of my favorite pastimes. What could be better then, than Trans-Atlantic fun-poking? It doesn't have to be a strange purchase...just peculiar. These are some appropriate entry phrases: What the child next to me smelled (like?), What the couple above me did tonight, What the groom ate, What that bum picked. You get the idea....maybe this reads?
2 2-litre bottles of pepsi
1 tub of Greek-style yoghurt
1 can of mushroom pieces
I'm sorry I've been away so long. I do have much to say on: my living situation, Katrina, John Roberts, life without a computer or phone... but alas, it's been kinda tough to write lately. I will be better about this soon. Anyway, tonight, while at the grocery store I took note of the odd purchase described above and I decided that it may be a fun "blog assignment". Everyone reading is to, in the coming days, be alert for things that are just a little peculiar, involving people you don't know and post them in their respective blogs or in my comments section. As I'm sure you all know, talking about people and, indeed, laughing at them, is one of my favorite pastimes. What could be better then, than Trans-Atlantic fun-poking? It doesn't have to be a strange purchase...just peculiar. These are some appropriate entry phrases: What the child next to me smelled (like?), What the couple above me did tonight, What the groom ate, What that bum picked. You get the idea....maybe this reads?
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Hooray for CA
After so much destruction, chaos, incompetence, and anger, we finally have something to celebrate. The state government of California, yesterday, approved a bill changing the definition of marriage from "between a man and woman" to, "between two people"!! This marks the first time in the US that gay marriage has been sanctioned through the legislative branch of a state government. Of course, Schwarzie still has a chance to veto but, this is still cause for jubilation. When prodded on whether or not he'll veto, Arnie said he'll do whatever the courts decide. Let's all remember that he's a republican and the line of that party is to curb the courts from making decisions like this. Apparently, the Republican party only wants the input of the court when the court agrees. They're despicable but, at least in California, there are more of us. See the full NY Times coverage here.
Monday, September 05, 2005
A bittersweet romance...
My affair with England has been, shall we say, rocky for the past few weeks. It's been difficult. I swore when I came that I wasn't coming specifically for him but our love was always part of it. Perhaps distance makes the heart grow fonder, as they say. We were so good together with me there and him here. Now, together, we just get on each others' nerves. Night after night, I go to bed and we just turn our backs to one another; better to just let the fight wait until morning. Of course we have our good days also. This weekend for example, we didn't really fight that much. We even sort of reveled in each other. Under gorgeous skies, we strolled hand-in-hand through the streets of the city. Together, we took in the Tower of London and shared a Vietnamese dinner on a sidewalk in Hammersmith. Then, the week starts, as it always does, and once again, we're plunged into angst and anger with one another. I don't think it's something I've done. I think that this whole time, he was hiding his true nature from me. He is, in turns, supremely inefficient, beguilingly witty, quick-tempered, and charmingly beautiful. Perhaps there were stars in my eyes as I prepared to come here and be with him, perhaps they shielded his (extremely) annoying bits. I know that we'll be okay in the long run but right now, times is tough. We've talked it over a bit, or rather, we've yelled about it ad nauseum, and, at the moment we've made a decision; when I'm more financially secure, I'm going to begin seeing other countries. He also, will be entertaining more bright-eyed and intrepid young Americans. I think the occasional separation will be good for both of us. For the moment, it's good that I have the job. At least there, I escape that long-faced, tired (and tiring) stare. Also, I'm going to try to focus on his good points, for the sake of my sanity. I think that, in time, we'll be able to smile again and embrace as we once did. I hope that day will come soon but, at the moment, it seems so far away.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Long ago, in England...
a friend of Someone-in-Charge declared, "Sir, we haven't enough ridiculousness!"
"You're right!" his pal replied, "May it be so, that from this day forth, England shall be ridiculous, in the following ways:
We shall drive on the other side
We shall keep the clubs open till 4 or 5 am but stop the tube at midnight
We shall have banks that say, "You'll get your card in 7-10 business days" but mean 4 weeks
When the card comes, the bank shall say "It'll just be 7-10 business days now to get your PIN"
Furthermore, the banks will only be open while the populous is at their own jobs and we shall make it difficult to bank online
We shall tell foreigners that they must get an NI number and we'll give them 25 phone numbers, all of which will be wrong
We shall sell meat in our stores but only after all the juice has been removed
We shall tell victims of crime to call the Custodial dept to see if their property has been turned in
The custodial dept shall direct the person to the properties dept by way of the operator
The operator shall transfer the caller to the front desk because after all, there is no properties dept
The phone at the front desk shall ring (repeatedly) for 6 minutes before disconnecting the caller
The switchboard operator shall yell at the victim of crime
Cheques, when deposited shall take a week to clear
Every pay phone shall be different
There shall be a line, everywhere and it shall take an inordinate amount of time
We shall have a grocery store and, in the store, we shall use plastic bags but without the handy dispenser. We shall force customers to bag their own groceries while paying. The cashier and people in the line shall glare contemptuously
At Tesco, there shall be 12 cash registers but only 2 shall be open. There shall then be at least 3 employees directing people to the self-service registers which shall never work properly
In addition, there shall be other ridiculousnesses which can not be named right now!
"You're right!" his pal replied, "May it be so, that from this day forth, England shall be ridiculous, in the following ways:
We shall drive on the other side
We shall keep the clubs open till 4 or 5 am but stop the tube at midnight
We shall have banks that say, "You'll get your card in 7-10 business days" but mean 4 weeks
When the card comes, the bank shall say "It'll just be 7-10 business days now to get your PIN"
Furthermore, the banks will only be open while the populous is at their own jobs and we shall make it difficult to bank online
We shall tell foreigners that they must get an NI number and we'll give them 25 phone numbers, all of which will be wrong
We shall sell meat in our stores but only after all the juice has been removed
We shall tell victims of crime to call the Custodial dept to see if their property has been turned in
The custodial dept shall direct the person to the properties dept by way of the operator
The operator shall transfer the caller to the front desk because after all, there is no properties dept
The phone at the front desk shall ring (repeatedly) for 6 minutes before disconnecting the caller
The switchboard operator shall yell at the victim of crime
Cheques, when deposited shall take a week to clear
Every pay phone shall be different
There shall be a line, everywhere and it shall take an inordinate amount of time
We shall have a grocery store and, in the store, we shall use plastic bags but without the handy dispenser. We shall force customers to bag their own groceries while paying. The cashier and people in the line shall glare contemptuously
At Tesco, there shall be 12 cash registers but only 2 shall be open. There shall then be at least 3 employees directing people to the self-service registers which shall never work properly
In addition, there shall be other ridiculousnesses which can not be named right now!
Monday, August 29, 2005
Mein besonderen Besuch in Deutschland...
I've had such a fabulous weekend in Germany. Saarlouis is a small, old town, (very) near the French and Luxembourgi borders. All weekend, the weather was perfect and there was never a rush. I absolutely loved everything. Saturday morning, we landed in Frankfurt and rented a car to drive to Saarlouis. I don't know why but I didn't really anticipate Germany being so lovely. After wandering the Cobblestone streets and lounging, we went to Sabine's friends' for dinner.
From Detlaff and Petra's house, it is possible to jog to France but the village is still remarkably German. It was so exciting for me to be able to converse in German. After so many years of my education lying dormant, it's good to know that it can come back when required. We all had such a feast and spent the night drinking wine and talking under the stars. It was VERY storybook-like and perfect.
On Sunday, we walked around more and eventually ended up in a park where there just happened to be a small German band playing traditional German music. So, we sat, in a perfect park, under a perfect sun, sipping a Bier/Lemonade drink called Panache and listened to the perfect music. Ah... Sunday evening, after picking Sabine's mom, Helga, up at the train station, we went to a wonderful French restaurant on top of a hill. We sat outside on a terrace that overlooked 4 different villages and watched the sunset over sorbet. It was totally cliche and wonderful and I loved it.
Now, I'm back, nose to the grindstone, dealing with the endless frustrations the British beuracracy provides. More on this later...
From Detlaff and Petra's house, it is possible to jog to France but the village is still remarkably German. It was so exciting for me to be able to converse in German. After so many years of my education lying dormant, it's good to know that it can come back when required. We all had such a feast and spent the night drinking wine and talking under the stars. It was VERY storybook-like and perfect.
On Sunday, we walked around more and eventually ended up in a park where there just happened to be a small German band playing traditional German music. So, we sat, in a perfect park, under a perfect sun, sipping a Bier/Lemonade drink called Panache and listened to the perfect music. Ah... Sunday evening, after picking Sabine's mom, Helga, up at the train station, we went to a wonderful French restaurant on top of a hill. We sat outside on a terrace that overlooked 4 different villages and watched the sunset over sorbet. It was totally cliche and wonderful and I loved it.
Now, I'm back, nose to the grindstone, dealing with the endless frustrations the British beuracracy provides. More on this later...
Friday, August 26, 2005
4 days and $97 later...
Oof! Since my unfortunate stint as victim, I've been teetering between maudlin feelings of violation and fuck-em-all feelings of anger. I think that I've kinda evened out now though, though I am still pissed and probably will be for a while. Right now I'm looking forward to a weekend away from London.
Yes, I was able to get an emergency replacement passport in order to go on my planned trip to Germany this weekend. Sabine and Niklas are taking me home with them to Saarlouis. I'm really looking forward to seeing an, until recently unheard of place. Although it's just a short trip, I think that leaving this city for a minute is exactly what I need.
In other news, I don't get to work on the movie next week. Finances are tough and so, we've been laid off until Working Title and Universal decide what to do. Their meeting on Wednesday will determine the future of the film. There are two possibilities: a)we fold b)they give us more money. I'm hoping for b since, as I've said before, it's a really good movie. Blah blah blah,
I'll be thinkin of everyone from SW Germany.
Yes, I was able to get an emergency replacement passport in order to go on my planned trip to Germany this weekend. Sabine and Niklas are taking me home with them to Saarlouis. I'm really looking forward to seeing an, until recently unheard of place. Although it's just a short trip, I think that leaving this city for a minute is exactly what I need.
In other news, I don't get to work on the movie next week. Finances are tough and so, we've been laid off until Working Title and Universal decide what to do. Their meeting on Wednesday will determine the future of the film. There are two possibilities: a)we fold b)they give us more money. I'm hoping for b since, as I've said before, it's a really good movie. Blah blah blah,
I'll be thinkin of everyone from SW Germany.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Worst night of my life...
- Batteries and charger
- mobile telephone
- US Passport and Visa
- Laptop Computer
- Mouse for computer
- library book
These were the things in my bag when it was stolen last night! I'm still in some sort of shock. I was even obsessive about my bag and kept it between my feet all night. WORST night ever!
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Many Things
Let me, at the start, apologize for both the length of time since the last post and, the subsequent length of the coming post:
Art Dept=fun
I love working on movies. I get to meet the most interesting people and have so much fun. The movie that I'm currently interning on has, a great script, a cool cast, an amazing Production Designer and set dresser, cool coworkers and no budget. Fears were flying recently over whether or not we'd be able to continue. Apparently the British film investment laws have just changed and so, at the moment, would-be investors are very leary. This film is now walking a fine line-the current budget is small; best to fold or best to really amp up the budget? I'm hoping it's the latter cuz it really is an awesome script and I would like to see it made. The cast has been reasonably settled and, happily, amongst some stars that are big here, are also Jim Broadbent and Helena Bonham Carter. Hopefully, with a cast now, investors will be more ready to, uh, invest.
My boss, Michael Howells, is amazing. He's a very accomplished man but still takes the time to teach us and joke around, etc. Yesterday, for about an hour, he went over his portfolio with me. HOLY SHIT! The man has designed numerous films, is currently working on (with our help), the Christmas designs for the Selfridges window displays (like Barney's in NY), is the designer for Dior's, Versace's and Louis Vuitton's advertising, designed Kate Moss' famous The Beautiful and the Damned 30th Birthday party, and much more. Yet, he still cares about his interns and assistants and really tries to have fun and help us. It's really amazing to me that I get to work with such accomplished people.
Steel
Telesales sucks but I'm doin' ok. I've sold a few subscriptions and have a few coming up. Most importantly though, I work with cool people here also. The other night, I found myself at a pub with, 2 girls from Slovakia, a Bulgarian guy, a Chinese guy, coupla Brits, a Russian woman, a Brazilian guy, Italian girl, and a South African dude. Of course, because I'm me and forever interested in all things political, conversations did include topics such as: the velvet revolution, degradation of Bulgarian money, Vaclav Havel, racism against Gypsies, and current EU situations. Of course we also talked about US relations with the world. Nice pub talk. Naturally, we also had more mundane/standard discussions. It's cool to be around such diverse experience. Also, after a week of caring about steel and the customers, I think that I've finally reached that place where the it's-just-a-job-and-I-never-have-to-meet-these-people mentality has come into play. It's about bloody time! There were, again because I'm me and think about such things, many thoughts that went like this: "Do I care about steel? What if I don't? Does that mean that I have a poor work ethic? Do I care if I care?" I'm ruff!
Other Stuff
I've just finished reading A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, and for those wondering, yes, it is! I think that this book needs to be required reading for life. If you haven't yet, please begin reading it immediately or make plans to do so soon.
Rach and I have spent the evening reading rough religious/conservative/southern blogs. I have no problem with faith or religion generally, it's just not for me. What I do have a problem with however, is the people that proclaim their faith, merely as some sort-of badge. Why must they forever be telling people how religious they are? It was first funny but then it got a little disturbing. One guy went so far as to post a voice recording of his struggles with "not doing those things that I know He doesn't want me to, even though I know that I do want to do them which makes me kind of not want to do them because this is His life." When religion keeps you from living your life or, as expected in this situation, from coming out of the closet, what's the use? Religion as life controlling force is so sketchy. Organized religion in general is rather sketchy.
Anyway, I've rambled long enough. Later ya'll. Please view Anna M's newspaper debut with this movie review. Also, here's a pic of one of Rachel's classmates; the ruffest individual, G:
Art Dept=fun
I love working on movies. I get to meet the most interesting people and have so much fun. The movie that I'm currently interning on has, a great script, a cool cast, an amazing Production Designer and set dresser, cool coworkers and no budget. Fears were flying recently over whether or not we'd be able to continue. Apparently the British film investment laws have just changed and so, at the moment, would-be investors are very leary. This film is now walking a fine line-the current budget is small; best to fold or best to really amp up the budget? I'm hoping it's the latter cuz it really is an awesome script and I would like to see it made. The cast has been reasonably settled and, happily, amongst some stars that are big here, are also Jim Broadbent and Helena Bonham Carter. Hopefully, with a cast now, investors will be more ready to, uh, invest.
My boss, Michael Howells, is amazing. He's a very accomplished man but still takes the time to teach us and joke around, etc. Yesterday, for about an hour, he went over his portfolio with me. HOLY SHIT! The man has designed numerous films, is currently working on (with our help), the Christmas designs for the Selfridges window displays (like Barney's in NY), is the designer for Dior's, Versace's and Louis Vuitton's advertising, designed Kate Moss' famous The Beautiful and the Damned 30th Birthday party, and much more. Yet, he still cares about his interns and assistants and really tries to have fun and help us. It's really amazing to me that I get to work with such accomplished people.
Steel
Telesales sucks but I'm doin' ok. I've sold a few subscriptions and have a few coming up. Most importantly though, I work with cool people here also. The other night, I found myself at a pub with, 2 girls from Slovakia, a Bulgarian guy, a Chinese guy, coupla Brits, a Russian woman, a Brazilian guy, Italian girl, and a South African dude. Of course, because I'm me and forever interested in all things political, conversations did include topics such as: the velvet revolution, degradation of Bulgarian money, Vaclav Havel, racism against Gypsies, and current EU situations. Of course we also talked about US relations with the world. Nice pub talk. Naturally, we also had more mundane/standard discussions. It's cool to be around such diverse experience. Also, after a week of caring about steel and the customers, I think that I've finally reached that place where the it's-just-a-job-and-I-never-have-to-meet-these-people mentality has come into play. It's about bloody time! There were, again because I'm me and think about such things, many thoughts that went like this: "Do I care about steel? What if I don't? Does that mean that I have a poor work ethic? Do I care if I care?" I'm ruff!
Other Stuff
I've just finished reading A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, and for those wondering, yes, it is! I think that this book needs to be required reading for life. If you haven't yet, please begin reading it immediately or make plans to do so soon.
Rach and I have spent the evening reading rough religious/conservative/southern blogs. I have no problem with faith or religion generally, it's just not for me. What I do have a problem with however, is the people that proclaim their faith, merely as some sort-of badge. Why must they forever be telling people how religious they are? It was first funny but then it got a little disturbing. One guy went so far as to post a voice recording of his struggles with "not doing those things that I know He doesn't want me to, even though I know that I do want to do them which makes me kind of not want to do them because this is His life." When religion keeps you from living your life or, as expected in this situation, from coming out of the closet, what's the use? Religion as life controlling force is so sketchy. Organized religion in general is rather sketchy.
Anyway, I've rambled long enough. Later ya'll. Please view Anna M's newspaper debut with this movie review. Also, here's a pic of one of Rachel's classmates; the ruffest individual, G:
Pediculus capitis
Although we did have a brief threat and emergency procedures were taken, I'm happy to report that noone at our house has head lice! Keep livin' with a child...
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Tired but happy
After a month and a half of joblessness, I now have no free time. My RUFF schedule is as follows:
5am-At the sound of many alarms, I get up and stumble around till
6am-when I leave my house and walk to Ealing Broadway tube station, two stops later, at N.
Acton, I switch to a bus and ride to Cricklewood Broadway to sit on a cold platform and
wait for a Thameslink train to Elstree/Bhoramwood, in order to arrive at
8am-at Elstree studios, where I work until
11am- when I must walk back to the Thameslink train and take it to King's Cross/St. Pancras
and switch to the Northern line south to Bank. Then I walk to arrive at
12:30pm-at Steel Business Briefing's office in "The City". Here, I stay and (attempt to) sell steel
news, via phone, to American business men. I work until about
7pm-when I walk to Bank station and ride for an hour to Ealing broadway, in order to get home
at about
8:15pm
It's a rough life but apparently, someone's got to do it.
Although I hate doing telesales, it's not the end of the world. On the upside, this job allows me to work on the movie in the mornings which is pretty cool. I'm really loving the time I spend in the art department. The script is really great and the people I'm working with are also very cool. I've been doing a lot of odd jobs, ranging from prop construction through random office work. I wish I could spend all day at Elstree but, alas, the film's budget doesn't allow for very many paid people. The experience I'm getting is extremely valuable though. This coming week, I may be required to do some "draughting" (read: drafting) which I'm really nervous about. Although technically, I do know how, I'm nonetheless nervous about my skills. Not least of all because I usually use CADD and here, everything is done by hand. Luckily, we aren't working in metric. I'll let you know how it goes.
In other news, I am currently sans computer. Sadly, my computer's power cable decided to short out the other night. Luckily, my computer is fine but, while waiting for the new cable to be shipped, I can't use my laptop. Argh!
5am-At the sound of many alarms, I get up and stumble around till
6am-when I leave my house and walk to Ealing Broadway tube station, two stops later, at N.
Acton, I switch to a bus and ride to Cricklewood Broadway to sit on a cold platform and
wait for a Thameslink train to Elstree/Bhoramwood, in order to arrive at
8am-at Elstree studios, where I work until
11am- when I must walk back to the Thameslink train and take it to King's Cross/St. Pancras
and switch to the Northern line south to Bank. Then I walk to arrive at
12:30pm-at Steel Business Briefing's office in "The City". Here, I stay and (attempt to) sell steel
news, via phone, to American business men. I work until about
7pm-when I walk to Bank station and ride for an hour to Ealing broadway, in order to get home
at about
8:15pm
It's a rough life but apparently, someone's got to do it.
Although I hate doing telesales, it's not the end of the world. On the upside, this job allows me to work on the movie in the mornings which is pretty cool. I'm really loving the time I spend in the art department. The script is really great and the people I'm working with are also very cool. I've been doing a lot of odd jobs, ranging from prop construction through random office work. I wish I could spend all day at Elstree but, alas, the film's budget doesn't allow for very many paid people. The experience I'm getting is extremely valuable though. This coming week, I may be required to do some "draughting" (read: drafting) which I'm really nervous about. Although technically, I do know how, I'm nonetheless nervous about my skills. Not least of all because I usually use CADD and here, everything is done by hand. Luckily, we aren't working in metric. I'll let you know how it goes.
In other news, I am currently sans computer. Sadly, my computer's power cable decided to short out the other night. Luckily, my computer is fine but, while waiting for the new cable to be shipped, I can't use my laptop. Argh!
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes...
After an exceptionally drunken night at the Red Lion with Rachel's new classmates and later with Elias and Sabine, Saturday brought some much needed rest and then, a night of art. Since we do live in London, it seems only fitting that we should visit the theatre at least once a week.
After an exceptionally drunken night at the Red Lion with Rachel's new classmates and later with Elias and Sabine, Saturday brought some much needed rest and then, a night of art. Since we do live in London, it seems only fitting that we should visit the theatre at least once a week.So, in a fit of inspiration, Rachel and I behaved like actual people and met up with Allie (British Rachel) and her boyfriend to see a show, have dinner, converse and just enjoy new people. Since we have a soft-spot for all things National Theatre, we decided to see, On the Shores of the Wide World. As billed, this was truly, "a tender play" which centered around a family and their various troubles and avoidances of those problems. "About discord, heartbreak and the redemptive power of love across three generations", this play was, for me, a very beautiful and poignant piece, distinctly lacking contrivance and pretention. I really loved it and am so glad we saw it.
However, after the show had ended and we had spent some time in the book store, we left the complex and chanced upon a performance of Macbeth, which had just begun, in the courtyard, and it really stole the cake for the night. Friches Théâtre Urbain's production involved a lot of pyrotechnics, actors wearing animal heads, on stilts, speaking in English, French and Spanish, really cool music, large flags, and SOOO much stylization. Another cool factor with this production is that it didn't stay in one place very long. Instead, the audience was forced to follow it wherever it wanted to go along the south bank of the Thames. Eventually, for the climax, we ended up back in the courtyard for the final speeches, fireworks, confetti and bows. It's a shame that such things only happen but rarely. If you care to look at the MANY pictures we took, do so by logging into www.winkflash.com with username: seethepics and password: showme.
After the show(s), we went to Allie and Phil's for dinner (at one a.m.), wine, cards, laughter and a general good time. When Rach and I eventually crawled home at 4:30, we had a wonderful (and maybe a little drunken) feeling of elation. (You'll note above my penchant for cliche.)
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