... a striding, glorious book. But it's more than great journalism. It's a great travel narrative. Learned but gentle, tough but humane, Stewart — a Scottish journalist who has served in both the British Army and the Foreign Office — seems hewn from 19th-century DNA, yet he's also blessed with a 21st-century motherboard. He writes with a mystic's appreciation of the natural world, a novelist's sense of character and a comedian's sense of timing.
Spending an entire Saturday babysitting can lead to multiple blog posts as a way to ward off boredom ... I'm sorry.
Babysitting has been something I've suffered since I was old enough to be put out for hire amongst the young families in my childhood neighbourhood and it seems I am doomed to have suburbia follow me as I travel through life ...
Anyway, an interesting book, she writes, wishing to ward off misery with the instantaneous arrival of both the documentary movie I blogged about a few posts down and this book. I could curl up for the day, losing myself in them ... did I mention the housework that's demanding attention.
Photographer to huisvrouw in the blink of an unwilling eye ...
The book is titled The Places in Between and it's written by Rory Stewart.
Tom Bissell reviews it for the New York Times saying, Paul Theroux once described a certain kind of travel book as having mainly "human sacrifice" allure, and how close Stewart comes to being killed on his journey won't be disclosed here. He is, however, sternly warned before he begins his walk. "You are the first tourist in Afghanistan," observes an Afghan from the country's recently resurrected Security Service. "It is mid-winter," he adds. "There are three meters of snow on the high passes, there are wolves, and this is a war. You will die, I can guarantee." For perhaps the first time in the history of travel writing, a secret-police goon emerges as the voice of sobriety and reason.
I smiled over over the final paragraph ... Open land undefiled by sheep droppings has most likely been mined. If you're taking your donkey to high altitudes, slice open its nostrils to allow greater oxygen flow. Don't carry detailed maps, since they tend to suggest 007 affinities. If, finally, you're determined to do something as recklessly stupid as walk across a war zone, your surest bet to quash all the inevitable criticism is to write a flat-out masterpiece. Stewart did. Stewart has. "The Places in Between" is, in very nearly every sense, too good to be true.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
High on the list of 'disgusting' acts ... a senior Pentagon official
The New York Times ... The senior Pentagon official in charge of military detainees suspected of terrorism said in an interview this week that he was dismayed that lawyers at many of the nation’s top firms were representing prisoners at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and that the firms’ corporate clients should consider ending their business ties.
Stephen Gillers, a law professor at New York University and an authority on legal ethics replied ... “It’s possible that lawyers willing to undertake what has been long viewed as an admirable chore will decline to do so for fear of antagonizing important clients.
“We have a senior government official suggesting that representing these people somehow compromises American interests, and he even names the firms, giving a target to corporate America.”
Stephen Gillers, a law professor at New York University and an authority on legal ethics replied ... “It’s possible that lawyers willing to undertake what has been long viewed as an admirable chore will decline to do so for fear of antagonizing important clients.
“We have a senior government official suggesting that representing these people somehow compromises American interests, and he even names the firms, giving a target to corporate America.”
Robert Fisk's 'take' on 21st century 'language' ...
Robert Fisk made me smile often as I read through his rather scathing article about the jargon disease that is choking language .
A taste ... There is something repulsive about this vocabulary, an aggressive language of superiority in which "key players" can "interact" with each other, can "impact" society, "outsource" their business - or "downsize" the number of their employees. They need "feedback" and "input". They think "outside the box" or "push the envelope". They have a "work space", not a desk. They need "personal space" - they need to be left alone - and sometimes they need "time and space", a commodity much in demand when marriages are failing.
These lies and obfuscations are infuriating. "Downsizing" employees means firing them; "outsourcing" means hiring someone else to do your dirty work. "Feedback" means "reaction", "input" means "advice". Thinking "outside the box" means, does it not, to be "imaginative"?
A taste ... There is something repulsive about this vocabulary, an aggressive language of superiority in which "key players" can "interact" with each other, can "impact" society, "outsource" their business - or "downsize" the number of their employees. They need "feedback" and "input". They think "outside the box" or "push the envelope". They have a "work space", not a desk. They need "personal space" - they need to be left alone - and sometimes they need "time and space", a commodity much in demand when marriages are failing.
These lies and obfuscations are infuriating. "Downsizing" employees means firing them; "outsourcing" means hiring someone else to do your dirty work. "Feedback" means "reaction", "input" means "advice". Thinking "outside the box" means, does it not, to be "imaginative"?
In need of a wee smile ... ?
I was just listening to the JCB Song and thought I would repost it ... everyone needs a little music in their life and this song is lovely.
It takes me someplace back in my past ... nothing is clear, maybe it's simply the memory of hanging out with my Dad on his plastering/painting jobs, drinking black tea from the thermos flask and eating white bread cheese sandwiches for lunch ... sitting on big old tool boxes in unfinished houses talking about whatever it was that I talked with with my Dad before I was 10 years old.
The about is worth reading, there's more to this song than you might first imagine.
It begins: Being dyslexic in the early 80's (oh the irony - give people who can't spell a word that nobody can spell). Luke's school days weren't always easy. Indeed he was victimised at school, not just by the bullies but by the school itself - so when he sings of "all the bullies, the teachers and their pets ..." he knows what he's talking about and this very much comes from the heart.
There were school days when Luke's Dad decided he needed some 'compassionate leave' and would take him to work, where the 5 year old would ride proudly on the toolbox of the old JBC and cook up vivid imaginings ...
It takes me someplace back in my past ... nothing is clear, maybe it's simply the memory of hanging out with my Dad on his plastering/painting jobs, drinking black tea from the thermos flask and eating white bread cheese sandwiches for lunch ... sitting on big old tool boxes in unfinished houses talking about whatever it was that I talked with with my Dad before I was 10 years old.
The about is worth reading, there's more to this song than you might first imagine.
It begins: Being dyslexic in the early 80's (oh the irony - give people who can't spell a word that nobody can spell). Luke's school days weren't always easy. Indeed he was victimised at school, not just by the bullies but by the school itself - so when he sings of "all the bullies, the teachers and their pets ..." he knows what he's talking about and this very much comes from the heart.
There were school days when Luke's Dad decided he needed some 'compassionate leave' and would take him to work, where the 5 year old would ride proudly on the toolbox of the old JBC and cook up vivid imaginings ...
Friday, January 12, 2007
Take a Blogger to Lunch, by Keith W. Jenkins
There was an interesting post over at Poynter Online this morning ....
Keith Jenkins has written: Journalists, here's some food for thought: What we do is going away because it has to. We can no longer claim the higher ground. There will be no "transition to the Web" -- the Web exists and is as different from 20th-century journalism as apples are from hand grenades.
He goes on to say, Instead, we should be inventing this new world with people who already populate it. Real bloggers, photobloggers and vloggers -- embrace them and learn from them. Only then can we continue to be relevant.
It's a thought-provoking piece.
Keith Jenkins has written: Journalists, here's some food for thought: What we do is going away because it has to. We can no longer claim the higher ground. There will be no "transition to the Web" -- the Web exists and is as different from 20th-century journalism as apples are from hand grenades.
He goes on to say, Instead, we should be inventing this new world with people who already populate it. Real bloggers, photobloggers and vloggers -- embrace them and learn from them. Only then can we continue to be relevant.
It's a thought-provoking piece.
Journalists killed in 2006
CPJ research indicates that the following individuals have been killed in 2006 because of their work as journalists. They either died in the line of duty or were deliberately targeted for assassination because of their reporting or their affiliation with a news organization.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
The Pettiness of New Line Cinema ... or is it merely Robert Shaye
The Guardian newspaper has an article about how one petty little man called Robert Shaye has the power to stop the spectacular Tolkien series from being completed by an incredibly talented director simply because that director wants an audit done due to possible financial irregularites discovered in the first of the movies Shayne's company financed ... ahhh democracy, alive and well I see ...
Mr Shayne really should place more trust in the proven kiwi director called Peter Jackson, the man who produced the Lord of the Rings trilogy and earned New Line Cinema a profit of $3billion - Shayne is merely a money man ... nothing more.
I will make a point of blacklisting anything put out by New Line Cinema because quite frankly, I'm appalled by their actions.
The story?
Peter Jackson's long-cherished Hobbit movie appeared to be dead in the water after the director was effectively blacklisted by his former backers, New Line Cinema.
"I do not want to make a movie with somebody who is suing me," Shaye said in an interview with the Sci Fi Channel. "So the answer is that he will never make any movies with New Line Cinema again while I'm still working for the company."
New Line currently controls the film rights to The Hobbit, the Tolkien fantasy that paved the way for The Lord of the Rings.
Initially regarded as a high-risk gamble, the Lord of the Rings trilogy wound up making nearly $3bn at the global box office. But Jackson's production company launched a lawsuit against New Line following the alleged discovery of financial anomalies in a partial audit of The Fellowship of the Ring, the first film of the trilogy. Jackson contends that the studio has refused to agree to an audit of the other two films, The Two Towers and The Return of the King.
"Fundamentally our legal action is about holding New Line to its contractual obligations and promises," Jackson said in a statement. "It is regrettable that Bob has chosen to make it personal."
The original article can be found here in SciFi.com and Peter Jackson's reply is here .
Mr Shayne really should place more trust in the proven kiwi director called Peter Jackson, the man who produced the Lord of the Rings trilogy and earned New Line Cinema a profit of $3billion - Shayne is merely a money man ... nothing more.
I will make a point of blacklisting anything put out by New Line Cinema because quite frankly, I'm appalled by their actions.
The story?
Peter Jackson's long-cherished Hobbit movie appeared to be dead in the water after the director was effectively blacklisted by his former backers, New Line Cinema.
"I do not want to make a movie with somebody who is suing me," Shaye said in an interview with the Sci Fi Channel. "So the answer is that he will never make any movies with New Line Cinema again while I'm still working for the company."
New Line currently controls the film rights to The Hobbit, the Tolkien fantasy that paved the way for The Lord of the Rings.
Initially regarded as a high-risk gamble, the Lord of the Rings trilogy wound up making nearly $3bn at the global box office. But Jackson's production company launched a lawsuit against New Line following the alleged discovery of financial anomalies in a partial audit of The Fellowship of the Ring, the first film of the trilogy. Jackson contends that the studio has refused to agree to an audit of the other two films, The Two Towers and The Return of the King.
"Fundamentally our legal action is about holding New Line to its contractual obligations and promises," Jackson said in a statement. "It is regrettable that Bob has chosen to make it personal."
The original article can be found here in SciFi.com and Peter Jackson's reply is here .
Lest we forget ...
A surreal moment for a former Guantanamo Bay prison inmate ...
Mr Begg is standing in front of the US embassy in Grosvenor Square in central London on a grey January day as more than 300 demonstrators play out the mock Guantánamo Bay camp scenario to mark the the fifth anniversary of the arrival of the first detainees to the US naval base in Cuba.
Other protests are being held across the globe, from Brisbane to Washington DC and from Hungary to Cuba itself. Mr Begg, a British citizen, was held for four years before finally gaining his freedom after pressure from the US government. In total, 780 detainees have been held at the camp. More than 400 of those there today have had no contact with their families throughout their detention. Many are without access to lawyers, and none has been charged.
Mr Begg is standing in front of the US embassy in Grosvenor Square in central London on a grey January day as more than 300 demonstrators play out the mock Guantánamo Bay camp scenario to mark the the fifth anniversary of the arrival of the first detainees to the US naval base in Cuba.
Other protests are being held across the globe, from Brisbane to Washington DC and from Hungary to Cuba itself. Mr Begg, a British citizen, was held for four years before finally gaining his freedom after pressure from the US government. In total, 780 detainees have been held at the camp. More than 400 of those there today have had no contact with their families throughout their detention. Many are without access to lawyers, and none has been charged.
Canadian Spy Scandal ... just when you thought you had read it all
I was over reading Lisa at Raison D’être and I thought she was teasing when she wrote 'The American government is now targeting Canada for spying - with super secret Canadian spy money no less! (could it get any cooler or more 50’s?) According to Department of Defense reports, the evil Canadian Overlords are planting tiny radio frequency transmitters inside innocent looking Canadian coins, which are then planted on American contractors to track their movements.'
I followed her link into Yahoo news and there it was under the title U.S. warns about Canadian spy coins .
I followed her link into Yahoo news and there it was under the title U.S. warns about Canadian spy coins .
Alison sent me this .
It defies description, all I know is that had it been in my childhood home, my brothers would have been strangers to me, with one potentially killing the other for ownership of said equipment.
How can I say things like that about them with impunity?
Ahhhh that would be because they don't read my blog ... cue evil laughter.
Note: a short advertisement runs before the news item.
It defies description, all I know is that had it been in my childhood home, my brothers would have been strangers to me, with one potentially killing the other for ownership of said equipment.
How can I say things like that about them with impunity?
Ahhhh that would be because they don't read my blog ... cue evil laughter.
Note: a short advertisement runs before the news item.
David Shedden, Poynter Institute
I had some interesting email from the Poynter Institute today ...
David Shedden has written an article about an audio slideshow he created from his trip to England. What captured my attention while reading the article was the fact that David had never produced an online slideshow or written a personal essay before being encouraged to create what reads like a rather stunning record of his trip to England. If he could do it, maybe I could too ...
He wrote that while visiting England, he had used Murrow's descriptive CBS radio stories from 1938 to 1946 as a way to understand both the country and the city of London.
He wrote of user-friendly technology: Soundslides describes itself as "ridiculously simple storytelling." It creates simple audio slideshows for people who are not familiar with Flash and other multimedia tools. Since I didn't know what I was doing, it sounded perfect for me. Read the online Soundslides FAQ to learn about this easy-to-use multimedia program.
You can view his work titled In Search of Murrow's England here.
David Shedden has written an article about an audio slideshow he created from his trip to England. What captured my attention while reading the article was the fact that David had never produced an online slideshow or written a personal essay before being encouraged to create what reads like a rather stunning record of his trip to England. If he could do it, maybe I could too ...
He wrote that while visiting England, he had used Murrow's descriptive CBS radio stories from 1938 to 1946 as a way to understand both the country and the city of London.
He wrote of user-friendly technology: Soundslides describes itself as "ridiculously simple storytelling." It creates simple audio slideshows for people who are not familiar with Flash and other multimedia tools. Since I didn't know what I was doing, it sounded perfect for me. Read the online Soundslides FAQ to learn about this easy-to-use multimedia program.
You can view his work titled In Search of Murrow's England here.
The Brussels Connection
I was searching for the name of yesterday's restuarant and found an interesting website.
It's called The Brussels Connection and I liked what I saw. I thought Belgian and Belgian-based readers might find it interesting.
They introduce themselves: It all began a year ago with a group of friends from EU affairs consultancies, trade associations, the European Parliament and the Commission who wanted to help each other improve their professional skills while having fun and being together.
Due to a lack of available time we achieved the fun but still missed the professional improvement. As each of us spends quite some time on the net searching for vital information, we believe that this online magazine is our solution.
The idea behind the Brussels Connection is that professional progress feeds on the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as the stimulation of creativity by exposing new forms of art or innovative ideas. Work and pleasure should be addressed with equal attention and enthusiasm. We intend to simplify our readers’ lives, by including links to a variety of indispensable websites.
It's called The Brussels Connection and I liked what I saw. I thought Belgian and Belgian-based readers might find it interesting.
They introduce themselves: It all began a year ago with a group of friends from EU affairs consultancies, trade associations, the European Parliament and the Commission who wanted to help each other improve their professional skills while having fun and being together.
Due to a lack of available time we achieved the fun but still missed the professional improvement. As each of us spends quite some time on the net searching for vital information, we believe that this online magazine is our solution.
The idea behind the Brussels Connection is that professional progress feeds on the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as the stimulation of creativity by exposing new forms of art or innovative ideas. Work and pleasure should be addressed with equal attention and enthusiasm. We intend to simplify our readers’ lives, by including links to a variety of indispensable websites.
El Vergel and a day spent in Brussels
Wednesday in Brussels was rather delicious ...
Shannon and I met at Centraal Station in Brussels and wandered off to find a cafe. My bag was bulging with English teaching resources I had collected while teaching in Istanbul and so over coffee and croissant, we talked of which online English courses she could do, moving on to resources and brainstorming ideas for private teaching in Belgium.
It was all fun and has definately inspired me to advertise for a few students in my neighbourhood here ...
One of the things I most enjoy about living in different countries is meeting the people. Teaching English is a lovely way to get out there and talking with people.
Alison arrived and we travelled on to a restaurant that is fast becoming my favourite place to eat over in Brussels. El Vergel always has fabulous food, the staff are lovely, there's a good atmosphere and the prices are good.
The rains came down but the American, the Canadian and the Kiwi talked on, almost oblivious to the weather outside. It was good to catch up with them and we only left when the lunch chairs were being stacked on the tables around us.
Shannon led us further into the back streets where heavy rain drove us into a cosy pub with the most appalling red wine I've attempted to drink in years. Both Shannon and I gave up in the end, Alison soldiered on with her slightly better bio red.
Then there was the 'getting home' which turned into one of 'those' experiences.
I was lucky, the Belgian student of politics on the bus was kind when I asked her about where the Centraal Station stop might be. The bus I was on had steamy windows and it was getting dark fast as I rode back through the city to my train. I know Antwerpen well but am less certain sure of my way around Brussels.
She was an interesting woman and had travelled through places like Vietnam and Nepal. Station found, I arrived just in time to catch the 5.10pm back to Antwerpen.
I thought I was on a 4 stop train however ... 5 stops into the journey I realised that, once again, steamy windows and darkness were going to cause problems with identifying which stop was mine.
And I had boarded a packed commuter train ... I was amused when a guy pushed his way onto what I had imagined was a 2-person train seat, squeezing himself in between an older gentleman and a young woman. I was tempted to look round for the Candid Camera camera because his behaviour reminded me so much of a Mr Bean skit. It was all I could do not to laugh aloud.
The laughter soon turned to accomodation, as a well-dressed business woman squeezed in between me and the guy I was sitting next to. Ahhh, so this is how one finds a seat on packed commuter trains.
The train kept on stopping so I called Gert and he looked up the train schedule ... telling me how many stops until my stop, only trying to put me off one stop too early. Things did improve as the train emptied out, the window steam cleared and if I watched carefully, I could read the lit station signs as they sped by.
Home and in bed reading by 8.30pm ... just for a few minutes. I woke briefly at midnight and it was 4.30am when I realised here was no more sleep left inside of me. I climbed out of bed and came to the computer to read for a while. I was lucky, there were some lovely emails and comments waiting here on the computer.
Buika is quietly singing in the background and I haven't suffered too much. Let's see how the day goes.
Good morning greetings to all those who read this at the appropriate time ... a new day has begun.
Shannon and I met at Centraal Station in Brussels and wandered off to find a cafe. My bag was bulging with English teaching resources I had collected while teaching in Istanbul and so over coffee and croissant, we talked of which online English courses she could do, moving on to resources and brainstorming ideas for private teaching in Belgium.
It was all fun and has definately inspired me to advertise for a few students in my neighbourhood here ...
One of the things I most enjoy about living in different countries is meeting the people. Teaching English is a lovely way to get out there and talking with people.
Alison arrived and we travelled on to a restaurant that is fast becoming my favourite place to eat over in Brussels. El Vergel always has fabulous food, the staff are lovely, there's a good atmosphere and the prices are good.
The rains came down but the American, the Canadian and the Kiwi talked on, almost oblivious to the weather outside. It was good to catch up with them and we only left when the lunch chairs were being stacked on the tables around us.
Shannon led us further into the back streets where heavy rain drove us into a cosy pub with the most appalling red wine I've attempted to drink in years. Both Shannon and I gave up in the end, Alison soldiered on with her slightly better bio red.
Then there was the 'getting home' which turned into one of 'those' experiences.
I was lucky, the Belgian student of politics on the bus was kind when I asked her about where the Centraal Station stop might be. The bus I was on had steamy windows and it was getting dark fast as I rode back through the city to my train. I know Antwerpen well but am less certain sure of my way around Brussels.
She was an interesting woman and had travelled through places like Vietnam and Nepal. Station found, I arrived just in time to catch the 5.10pm back to Antwerpen.
I thought I was on a 4 stop train however ... 5 stops into the journey I realised that, once again, steamy windows and darkness were going to cause problems with identifying which stop was mine.
And I had boarded a packed commuter train ... I was amused when a guy pushed his way onto what I had imagined was a 2-person train seat, squeezing himself in between an older gentleman and a young woman. I was tempted to look round for the Candid Camera camera because his behaviour reminded me so much of a Mr Bean skit. It was all I could do not to laugh aloud.
The laughter soon turned to accomodation, as a well-dressed business woman squeezed in between me and the guy I was sitting next to. Ahhh, so this is how one finds a seat on packed commuter trains.
The train kept on stopping so I called Gert and he looked up the train schedule ... telling me how many stops until my stop, only trying to put me off one stop too early. Things did improve as the train emptied out, the window steam cleared and if I watched carefully, I could read the lit station signs as they sped by.
Home and in bed reading by 8.30pm ... just for a few minutes. I woke briefly at midnight and it was 4.30am when I realised here was no more sleep left inside of me. I climbed out of bed and came to the computer to read for a while. I was lucky, there were some lovely emails and comments waiting here on the computer.
Buika is quietly singing in the background and I haven't suffered too much. Let's see how the day goes.
Good morning greetings to all those who read this at the appropriate time ... a new day has begun.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Imagine ...
All men are world citizens by birth.
Every man has the right to go and settle anywhere and to live like a human being.
Shrii Prabhat R. Sarkar, Indian poet, linguist, and philosopher
Every man has the right to go and settle anywhere and to live like a human being.
Shrii Prabhat R. Sarkar, Indian poet, linguist, and philosopher
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
The Proust Questions
I was searching for information on The Proust Questions .
The young Marcel was asked to fill out questionnaires at two social events: one when he was 13, another when he was 20. These were the questions he was asked as a 20 year old. I thought them interesting ....
Norman Mailer answered the Proust questions in Vanity Fair.
Your most marked characteristic?
The quality you most like in a man?
The quality you most like in a woman?
What do you most value in your friends?
What is your principle defect?
and etc ...
The young Marcel was asked to fill out questionnaires at two social events: one when he was 13, another when he was 20. These were the questions he was asked as a 20 year old. I thought them interesting ....
Norman Mailer answered the Proust questions in Vanity Fair.
Your most marked characteristic?
The quality you most like in a man?
The quality you most like in a woman?
What do you most value in your friends?
What is your principle defect?
and etc ...
A little of this and a little of that
It's one thing to clean the house from top to bottom, more or less ... it's quite another saying sorry for cleaning the alarm clock into an 'off' position as Gert runs out the door horribly late.
And now for my next trick ... sigh.
I moved furniture, opened doors and windows and cleaned yesterday ... long overdue after so long feeling sorry for my sick little self. Today I'm planning my first jaunt for the city ... a little one.
I've been listening to some nice music lately ... Erin introduced us to Buika, and I discovered Anna Nalik's Breathe and Damhnait Doyle's Another California Song. Mark introduced me to Ani DiFranco and I love her song, 32 Flavors. Toot Thieleman, often plays to me, joining Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong when I need that sound.
Other news, friends are flying in from Istanbul at the end of the month. We've begun planning some little tours for them to give them a taste of the sights to be seen around our neighbourhood.
Excitingly enough, Paris is up there on their list, as is Amsterdam and Germany. We hope to get into the Alsace and spend a couple of nights in an old-fashioned B&B out in the country. Stories and photographs for later for sure.
I've marked in Antwerpen, Brussels, Bruges, Ieper and Ghent for this part of the journey. Let's see how we do as hosts.
Tot ziens.
And now for my next trick ... sigh.
I moved furniture, opened doors and windows and cleaned yesterday ... long overdue after so long feeling sorry for my sick little self. Today I'm planning my first jaunt for the city ... a little one.
I've been listening to some nice music lately ... Erin introduced us to Buika, and I discovered Anna Nalik's Breathe and Damhnait Doyle's Another California Song. Mark introduced me to Ani DiFranco and I love her song, 32 Flavors. Toot Thieleman, often plays to me, joining Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong when I need that sound.
Other news, friends are flying in from Istanbul at the end of the month. We've begun planning some little tours for them to give them a taste of the sights to be seen around our neighbourhood.
Excitingly enough, Paris is up there on their list, as is Amsterdam and Germany. We hope to get into the Alsace and spend a couple of nights in an old-fashioned B&B out in the country. Stories and photographs for later for sure.
I've marked in Antwerpen, Brussels, Bruges, Ieper and Ghent for this part of the journey. Let's see how we do as hosts.
Tot ziens.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Guiding Rules of Photography by Bob Croxford
I found this quote while searching through photography quotes for my website and loved it too much not to share it.
Technique is a matter of individual preferences. It bores me. I am only interested in results. However I do offer a few guiding rules of photography.
1. My essential equipment includes an alarm clock towake up early and a compass to find where the sun is going to be. I also have a small double pointed quartz crystal which sits in my camera bag with the exposed film and helps to increase sharpness!
2. The best light occurs when I am stuck in the office with the VAT man or have left my camera at home.
3. If I wait for perfect conditions someone will park a truck in the view.
4. The most I have waited in the rain for conditions to improve was five days. The picture wasn't worth waiting for and isn't in this book.
5. Having walked for miles for a good picture I often find the best photo when I return is right next to my car. The only problem beeing that I've parked right in the middle of the view.
6. Nothing is repeatable especially the light.
7. Those pictures which require the most perspiration and imagination to take are always the ones that look the easiest.
8. Don't run out of film.
-Bob Croxford,
"From Cornwall With Love" by Bob Croxford
Technique is a matter of individual preferences. It bores me. I am only interested in results. However I do offer a few guiding rules of photography.
1. My essential equipment includes an alarm clock towake up early and a compass to find where the sun is going to be. I also have a small double pointed quartz crystal which sits in my camera bag with the exposed film and helps to increase sharpness!
2. The best light occurs when I am stuck in the office with the VAT man or have left my camera at home.
3. If I wait for perfect conditions someone will park a truck in the view.
4. The most I have waited in the rain for conditions to improve was five days. The picture wasn't worth waiting for and isn't in this book.
5. Having walked for miles for a good picture I often find the best photo when I return is right next to my car. The only problem beeing that I've parked right in the middle of the view.
6. Nothing is repeatable especially the light.
7. Those pictures which require the most perspiration and imagination to take are always the ones that look the easiest.
8. Don't run out of film.
-Bob Croxford,
"From Cornwall With Love" by Bob Croxford
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Freedom Writers
A grey day in Belgie and I've been web-wandering ...
The New York Times had an article about an interesting movie.
Searching for more, I came to the source of the movie's inspiration ... the Freedom Writers Foundation .
Their mission statement begins with: The Freedom Writers Foundation s a charitable organization that promotes tolerance in the classroom and empowers teachers and underserved students, specifically economically disadvantaged and “at-risk” youth nationwide.
The New York Times had an article about an interesting movie.
Searching for more, I came to the source of the movie's inspiration ... the Freedom Writers Foundation .
Their mission statement begins with: The Freedom Writers Foundation s a charitable organization that promotes tolerance in the classroom and empowers teachers and underserved students, specifically economically disadvantaged and “at-risk” youth nationwide.
Ghosts, a movie by Nick Broomfield
"Immigration is a very emotional thing," Broomfield explains. "It's about people leaving something they love and know, and coming to a very strange place."
My immigration into Belgie was accidental ... I met Gert while out in Istanbul teaching and the rest became an irritating history as I dealt with the associated paperwork.
So many don't have the luxury of choice that I had and become prey for so-called legitimate and illegitimate business people in the lands they find themselves in ... think of the horrendous act of sex-trafficking Eastern European women into countries like Belgium, Germany, Holland, Italy and ecetera ... think of the 23 dead Chinese immigrants who imagined themselves making a better life in England.
It seems that Nick Broomfield has been thinking about it and put together Ghost's, his first feature film . The topic is the 2004 tragedy of Morecambe Bay and he does the unusual, hiring non-actors and hiring a woman who survived the tragedy, as lead actress.
The Morecambe Bay tragedy ... that would be when 23 illegal Chinese immigrants drowned while picking cockles on the sands.
The Broomfield movie follows a young single mother from a Fujian province who despairs of ever providing a better life for her baby son, and so borrows a vast sum to be smuggled to England, only to find herself little more than a slave.
What should shock us is those who take advantage of illegal immigrants. We're told, Jobs might last a few days or weeks or months, but they were all atrociously paid.
"The bosses didn't ever look at my documents. They knew I was illegal, and they always used my status against me. One of the factories actually told me directly, if you have status you get paid £3.50, if not £2.50."
Where's there's demand, there will always be supply ...
My immigration into Belgie was accidental ... I met Gert while out in Istanbul teaching and the rest became an irritating history as I dealt with the associated paperwork.
So many don't have the luxury of choice that I had and become prey for so-called legitimate and illegitimate business people in the lands they find themselves in ... think of the horrendous act of sex-trafficking Eastern European women into countries like Belgium, Germany, Holland, Italy and ecetera ... think of the 23 dead Chinese immigrants who imagined themselves making a better life in England.
It seems that Nick Broomfield has been thinking about it and put together Ghost's, his first feature film . The topic is the 2004 tragedy of Morecambe Bay and he does the unusual, hiring non-actors and hiring a woman who survived the tragedy, as lead actress.
The Morecambe Bay tragedy ... that would be when 23 illegal Chinese immigrants drowned while picking cockles on the sands.
The Broomfield movie follows a young single mother from a Fujian province who despairs of ever providing a better life for her baby son, and so borrows a vast sum to be smuggled to England, only to find herself little more than a slave.
What should shock us is those who take advantage of illegal immigrants. We're told, Jobs might last a few days or weeks or months, but they were all atrociously paid.
"The bosses didn't ever look at my documents. They knew I was illegal, and they always used my status against me. One of the factories actually told me directly, if you have status you get paid £3.50, if not £2.50."
Where's there's demand, there will always be supply ...
FES FESTIVAL OF WORLD SACRED MUSIC
Samir has written up The thirteenth annual FES FESTIVAL OF WORLD SACRED MUSIC 2007 over at The View from Fez.
Sandy describes it as 'a celebration of the 800th anniversary of the birth of the Sufi poet, Jalaludin Rumi'.
Sandy describes it as 'a celebration of the 800th anniversary of the birth of the Sufi poet, Jalaludin Rumi'.
ScrittureGiovani - a European Literary Project
ScrittureGiovani is the newest slice of European literature projects. Five writers, five different countries, five short stories, one theme - the focus is on young literary talents, they write over at Cafebabel.
WANTED: poet or novelist under 32. Must have written at least one work, as yet untranslated, and be ready for European tour. Destinations: Mantua, Berlin, Hay-on-Wye and Molde.
‘It's been widely anticipated by the public, and it's also a chance for young writers to make themselves known abroad,’ explains Marella Paramatti, committee member of the famous Italian festival. ‘Each festival chooses an author that will take part in the project,’ she adds. As well as the four selected by the festivals, a fifth writer is picked from a different country.
Thanks Erkan.
WANTED: poet or novelist under 32. Must have written at least one work, as yet untranslated, and be ready for European tour. Destinations: Mantua, Berlin, Hay-on-Wye and Molde.
‘It's been widely anticipated by the public, and it's also a chance for young writers to make themselves known abroad,’ explains Marella Paramatti, committee member of the famous Italian festival. ‘Each festival chooses an author that will take part in the project,’ she adds. As well as the four selected by the festivals, a fifth writer is picked from a different country.
Thanks Erkan.
Friday, January 05, 2007
A Day at our place ...
Yesterday Gert went to work for the first time since before Christmas ...
The re-election of his boss meant that the office is beginning its period of transformation ... he needed to be there. Then there was the meeting he had to attend last night.
He came in exhausted and this morning he woke in full fever.
Phoning in he found they were expecting his call ... he has slept the day away on the couch. This is an incredibly fierce flu, to the point where he's been grouchy but obedient about taking medication suggested by me.
So ... his illness led to my first real day out of the house. I walked to the Apoteek in 7 degrees celsius and it was okay but for my cough.
Then a light rain began to fall ... sigh, then came the wind.
The Apoteek found all I wanted for Gert, then we discussed my cough and laughing, he told me that yes, it would go away naturally if that's how I wanted to do it.
It was nice to catch up with the baker ...
Much to Gert's bemusement, I call her shop the German Bakery ... it's all about the fact that her shop looks like something you might see in the Black Forest and less about actuality.
Finally the supermarket, where I mortified myself by sounding like a disease-ridden creature. I'm sure I saw the staff wince ... I wanted to reassure them with the fact I was no longer contagious but who would have believed me.
Home again, I felt like I'd been out and hunted me down a dinosaur. In keeping with this incredible feat, I fell asleep not long after Gert and all was silent for a few afternoon hours at our place.
The re-election of his boss meant that the office is beginning its period of transformation ... he needed to be there. Then there was the meeting he had to attend last night.
He came in exhausted and this morning he woke in full fever.
Phoning in he found they were expecting his call ... he has slept the day away on the couch. This is an incredibly fierce flu, to the point where he's been grouchy but obedient about taking medication suggested by me.
So ... his illness led to my first real day out of the house. I walked to the Apoteek in 7 degrees celsius and it was okay but for my cough.
Then a light rain began to fall ... sigh, then came the wind.
The Apoteek found all I wanted for Gert, then we discussed my cough and laughing, he told me that yes, it would go away naturally if that's how I wanted to do it.
It was nice to catch up with the baker ...
Much to Gert's bemusement, I call her shop the German Bakery ... it's all about the fact that her shop looks like something you might see in the Black Forest and less about actuality.
Finally the supermarket, where I mortified myself by sounding like a disease-ridden creature. I'm sure I saw the staff wince ... I wanted to reassure them with the fact I was no longer contagious but who would have believed me.
Home again, I felt like I'd been out and hunted me down a dinosaur. In keeping with this incredible feat, I fell asleep not long after Gert and all was silent for a few afternoon hours at our place.
PDNewswire
Sometimes I sign up to interesting sites and their newsletters simply fail to arrive. I forget and then get a delicious surprise when, months later, their latest news lands in my inbox.
PDNewswire arrived today and it's full of interesting news and photographers.
The photo gallery is worth checking out ...
PDNewswire arrived today and it's full of interesting news and photographers.
The photo gallery is worth checking out ...
The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo by Peter Orner
Salon asked a selection of their favorite writers to tell them about their favorite books of the year. Contributors included Booker-prize winner John Banville, best-selling New Yorker writer Malcolm Gladwell, "In Her Shoes" author Jennifer Weiner and feminist icon Erica Jong.
One that really stood out in terms of rave reviews, was The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo
.
I reviewed a lot of books this past year and the best (by far) was Peter Orner's "The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo." The novel documents the restless daily routines of the staff at a primary school in a forgotten corner of Namibia, but it is properly understood as a series of meditations -- brief, lyric chapters that celebrate the small moments in which life resides.
It is a book unlike any I have ever read, a miraculous feat of empathy that manages to unearth -- in the unlikeliest of locales -- the infinite possibilities of the human heart. If it were up to me, Orner would have won both the Pulitzer and the National Book Award. The novel is that astonishing. At the very least, he has joined the first rank of American writers.
One that really stood out in terms of rave reviews, was The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo
.
I reviewed a lot of books this past year and the best (by far) was Peter Orner's "The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo." The novel documents the restless daily routines of the staff at a primary school in a forgotten corner of Namibia, but it is properly understood as a series of meditations -- brief, lyric chapters that celebrate the small moments in which life resides.
It is a book unlike any I have ever read, a miraculous feat of empathy that manages to unearth -- in the unlikeliest of locales -- the infinite possibilities of the human heart. If it were up to me, Orner would have won both the Pulitzer and the National Book Award. The novel is that astonishing. At the very least, he has joined the first rank of American writers.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Arroz con Pollo and viva Espana
I was just thinking, as I was stirring until the rice is semi-dry but some liquid remains ... that while I haven't learned to worship anything in particular, I could be convinced about becoming a fan of the Spanish way of life.
Tonight I am cooking Arroz con Pollo, otherwise known as Chicken and Rice however ... don't be misled by the English, we're really not talking ordinary chicken and rice.
We're talking 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, a chopped onion with 4 tablespoons of chopped garlic and 6 of chopped parsely ... fried together in said oil once the chicken is done.
How civilised is that ... ?!
It smells stunning.
Unfortunately, due to ill health and beginner status, my arroz con pollo lacks piquillo peppers, smoked paprika and that pinch of saffron and yes, I did have to use red wine instead of the white ... but, it smells so good, I am hopeful that I will be forgiven by the gods of good food.
The worst of being ill was the 2pm craving for a Spanish lunch ... that meal that left me filled and content until breakfast the next day.
Tot ziens from the chef.
Tonight I am cooking Arroz con Pollo, otherwise known as Chicken and Rice however ... don't be misled by the English, we're really not talking ordinary chicken and rice.
We're talking 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, a chopped onion with 4 tablespoons of chopped garlic and 6 of chopped parsely ... fried together in said oil once the chicken is done.
How civilised is that ... ?!
It smells stunning.
Unfortunately, due to ill health and beginner status, my arroz con pollo lacks piquillo peppers, smoked paprika and that pinch of saffron and yes, I did have to use red wine instead of the white ... but, it smells so good, I am hopeful that I will be forgiven by the gods of good food.
The worst of being ill was the 2pm craving for a Spanish lunch ... that meal that left me filled and content until breakfast the next day.
Tot ziens from the chef.
Tanya and Whispers of Waitaha
I found Tanya's site a while ago and enjoyed reading of her New Zealand ... a voice from home however she isn't only a blogger, she's an artist too.
She recently wrote of a project she's involved in and I wanted to know more after reading her comment ...'as I am publishing the grandmothers children's stories, ancient legends of my ancestors of Waitaha. Their stories date back to the beginning of time, they were a tribe of mixed races that lived together in peace and harmony with each other and their environment. I think that this is a time when these stories are needed - especially for the children as they are the hope of the future.'
She gave me the link into the Whispers of Waitaha site and wandering through it today, it seems delicious.
Who can resist the stories of grandmothers ...
‘Whispers of Waitaha - Traditions of a Nation’ are the words of our Grandmothers, written in this time to spread the message of Peace & Hope.
Ata whakarongo ake e moko,
Ki enei korero o ou matua tupuna,
I haere tawhiti mai ki tata.
Listen carefully moko
to these the words of your parents
and grandparents that have come here from afar.
She recently wrote of a project she's involved in and I wanted to know more after reading her comment ...'as I am publishing the grandmothers children's stories, ancient legends of my ancestors of Waitaha. Their stories date back to the beginning of time, they were a tribe of mixed races that lived together in peace and harmony with each other and their environment. I think that this is a time when these stories are needed - especially for the children as they are the hope of the future.'
She gave me the link into the Whispers of Waitaha site and wandering through it today, it seems delicious.
Who can resist the stories of grandmothers ...
‘Whispers of Waitaha - Traditions of a Nation’ are the words of our Grandmothers, written in this time to spread the message of Peace & Hope.
Ata whakarongo ake e moko,
Ki enei korero o ou matua tupuna,
I haere tawhiti mai ki tata.
Listen carefully moko
to these the words of your parents
and grandparents that have come here from afar.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Something Spanish
We're feeling better ... you can imagine a sing-song happy voice if you like.
We're midway through cooking something Spanish for dinner ... let's see how we do.
1 cup olive oil
4 large potatoes, peel and slice into 2mm pieces
salt to taste
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 large eggs
Heat the oil in a 9inch thick skillet and add potato slices, one slice at a time so that they don't stick. Alternate layers of potato and onion.
Cook slowly, medium flame.
Don't fry or brown them - turn them occasionally till the potatoes are tender.
They need to remain loose and not form a cake.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl with a fork, add salt to taste, drain the potatoes and add them to the eggs mixture, pressing them down so they are completely covered by egg.
Let them sit for 15 minutes.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil and add the potato and egg mix, spreading it quickly.
Lower the heat to medium-high.
It's crucial that you shake the frying pan to prevent sticking.
When the potatoes begin to brown, put a plate on top of the fry pan and flip the mix so as to cook the other side, adding another tablespoon of oil.
Brown on the other side ... flip 3 or 4 time for best cooking.
Buen apetito!
The Alpine Mega-Tunnel
Der Spiegel is running an interesting story titled The Alpine Mega-Tunnel
The new Gotthard railway tunnel in the Swiss Alps will be the longest in the world. The unmanned elevator races down the shaft and comes groaning to a halt right in the warm, damp belly of the Tgom mountain. Perfectly on schedule, it will shortly take half a dozen construction workers almost one kilometer (0.6 miles) up to the mountain's surface.
Almost 1,000 meters of mica slate and gneiss lie above the enormous rocky cavern. Warm water seeps through its walls. An elaborate ventilation system lowers the air temperature in the huge space from more than 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) to about 28 degrees (82.4 degrees Fahrenheit).
Since 1993, excavation work has been going on at this construction site and three others. A total of 13 million cubic meters (459 million cubic feet) of rock -- the equivalent of five Cheops pyramids -- will have to be removed from the mountain massif so that high-speed trains travelling at 250 kilometers an hour (155 mph) will be able to race through the Alps ten years from now.
The new Gotthard railway tunnel in the Swiss Alps will be the longest in the world. The unmanned elevator races down the shaft and comes groaning to a halt right in the warm, damp belly of the Tgom mountain. Perfectly on schedule, it will shortly take half a dozen construction workers almost one kilometer (0.6 miles) up to the mountain's surface.
Almost 1,000 meters of mica slate and gneiss lie above the enormous rocky cavern. Warm water seeps through its walls. An elaborate ventilation system lowers the air temperature in the huge space from more than 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) to about 28 degrees (82.4 degrees Fahrenheit).
Since 1993, excavation work has been going on at this construction site and three others. A total of 13 million cubic meters (459 million cubic feet) of rock -- the equivalent of five Cheops pyramids -- will have to be removed from the mountain massif so that high-speed trains travelling at 250 kilometers an hour (155 mph) will be able to race through the Alps ten years from now.
An update ... okay manic, something for you to read, as per your instructions.
It seems that this flu has emptied me, although my mind is slowly returning to life and I'm not sleeping away huge parts of the day.
Gert's parents came over today, bringing supplies and leftovers from the feast we missed yesterday. We, the feverish coughing creatures, were pathetically grateful.
I'm in the middle of a bit of a downer, missing home and etc ... as you do during Christmas and after being ill. It's normal, I'm sure of it.
Hmmm good news ... well, we did download some Spanish recipes just before lunch, and we are planning a mission that involves Gert driving me to the supermarket and me leaping inside to purchase ingredients so we can cook something Spanish tonight. I have been seeing hopeful signs of return to normal life in craving those huge Spanish meat lunches that filled me until breakfast the following day.
And although red wine accompanying those stunning lunches is part of the vision, I have no desire for any as yet ... I guess wanting wine will be the indicator of a full return to health.
I cancelled the dentist this morning ... obviously this wasn't a difficult cancellation, unlike the previous two photography sessions with the superb people at PINA.
Hmmmm and my eyebrows were to be reshaped tomorrow but I don't think I dare take this cough there ... My beautician caught the strange stomach bug I had after the party ... the stomach bug that wasn't a hangover.
I felt quite guilty about that one, I'll cancel that now ...
I did read my way through some blogs today. It was good to catch up on those worlds and be smiling over all kinds of news.
Sal wrote a delicious post about Christmas with his family and Paris Parfait had her daughter with her over Christmas but found time for serious news too. Doberman has a new Canon EOS 400D which can do nothing but bring him a million hours of happiness in the year ahead. Erkan soldiers on, mixing serious news with youtube humour , opening the world for people like me.
Manic bowed out, citing exam pressure, v-grrl wrote of her Christmas - creating warm images of family. Lisa named her Christmas turkey, making me laugh as usual.
There's more reading to do, I'm way behind but in a way, the long break from serious blogging has left me with a treasure trove of stories to catch up on.
Erkan challenged me to post my new year's resolutions but I'm thinking serious thoughts about them and need time to be sure that they're do-able.
My photography website needs a little more tweaking then it's done, I have to find an accountant and then start work on advertising ... serious resolutions are surely called for this year.
Voila Manic, now back to your studying ;)
It seems that this flu has emptied me, although my mind is slowly returning to life and I'm not sleeping away huge parts of the day.
Gert's parents came over today, bringing supplies and leftovers from the feast we missed yesterday. We, the feverish coughing creatures, were pathetically grateful.
I'm in the middle of a bit of a downer, missing home and etc ... as you do during Christmas and after being ill. It's normal, I'm sure of it.
Hmmm good news ... well, we did download some Spanish recipes just before lunch, and we are planning a mission that involves Gert driving me to the supermarket and me leaping inside to purchase ingredients so we can cook something Spanish tonight. I have been seeing hopeful signs of return to normal life in craving those huge Spanish meat lunches that filled me until breakfast the following day.
And although red wine accompanying those stunning lunches is part of the vision, I have no desire for any as yet ... I guess wanting wine will be the indicator of a full return to health.
I cancelled the dentist this morning ... obviously this wasn't a difficult cancellation, unlike the previous two photography sessions with the superb people at PINA.
Hmmmm and my eyebrows were to be reshaped tomorrow but I don't think I dare take this cough there ... My beautician caught the strange stomach bug I had after the party ... the stomach bug that wasn't a hangover.
I felt quite guilty about that one, I'll cancel that now ...
I did read my way through some blogs today. It was good to catch up on those worlds and be smiling over all kinds of news.
Sal wrote a delicious post about Christmas with his family and Paris Parfait had her daughter with her over Christmas but found time for serious news too. Doberman has a new Canon EOS 400D which can do nothing but bring him a million hours of happiness in the year ahead. Erkan soldiers on, mixing serious news with youtube humour , opening the world for people like me.
Manic bowed out, citing exam pressure, v-grrl wrote of her Christmas - creating warm images of family. Lisa named her Christmas turkey, making me laugh as usual.
There's more reading to do, I'm way behind but in a way, the long break from serious blogging has left me with a treasure trove of stories to catch up on.
Erkan challenged me to post my new year's resolutions but I'm thinking serious thoughts about them and need time to be sure that they're do-able.
My photography website needs a little more tweaking then it's done, I have to find an accountant and then start work on advertising ... serious resolutions are surely called for this year.
Voila Manic, now back to your studying ;)
Monday, January 01, 2007
I was fortunate, I was ill enough to ignore Saddam's execution ... fortunate because I don't agree with executions and couldn't think of any other world leaders who had recently been executed.
Something seemed 'off' in this instance.
I went searching and found Riverbend's take on the event. Titled the lynching , it gives one Iraqi's point of view ... from a woman whose voice has been twice honoured by the 'west' as a voice telling a truth.
I read on down through her preceding post ... End of another year post:
You know your country is in trouble when: and sixth on her list was Your country is purportedly 'selling' 2 million barrels of oil a day, but you are standing in line for 4 hours for black market gasoline for the generator.
And as usual, the end of her post devastated me ...
Why?
Because she continues to lose hope and she's a valuable barometer of events in Iraq ... an intelligent, well-educated rational woman who is changing in front of my eyes ... whenever I dare to go over and read her ... 3000 Americans dead over nearly four years? Really? That's the number of dead Iraqis in less than a month.
Is the American soldier that died today in Anbar more important than a cousin I have who was shot last month on the night of his engagement to a woman he's wanted to marry for the last six years?
Something seemed 'off' in this instance.
I went searching and found Riverbend's take on the event. Titled the lynching , it gives one Iraqi's point of view ... from a woman whose voice has been twice honoured by the 'west' as a voice telling a truth.
I read on down through her preceding post ... End of another year post:
You know your country is in trouble when: and sixth on her list was Your country is purportedly 'selling' 2 million barrels of oil a day, but you are standing in line for 4 hours for black market gasoline for the generator.
And as usual, the end of her post devastated me ...
Why?
Because she continues to lose hope and she's a valuable barometer of events in Iraq ... an intelligent, well-educated rational woman who is changing in front of my eyes ... whenever I dare to go over and read her ... 3000 Americans dead over nearly four years? Really? That's the number of dead Iraqis in less than a month.
Is the American soldier that died today in Anbar more important than a cousin I have who was shot last month on the night of his engagement to a woman he's wanted to marry for the last six years?
Well it happened ... Gert popped two cold and flu tablets on waking and climbed back into bed defeated today. He's been sleeping there ever since. Our Spanish saga continues ... my flu was highly contagious.
Last night I turned a corner.
No, not an immediate return to good health but a definate easing on coughing and sleeping.
It's been 24 hours since my last painkiller and I'm still resisting, although yes, that is a hotwater bottle glued to my aching back ... this flu has been a flu of aches.
For obvious reasons, I have officially moved Gert's birthday from 1 January to some point when we are healthy again ... we may even throw a party, an appreciation of health-type party. His face is waxen today, I'm sure he knows what I mean.
I have my first wedding booking for 2007 ... let's see what the new year brings.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
All the best in 2007
Hey there, writes the woman who sounds like a 100-year-old woman who has spent her entire life chainsmoking when she coughs.
The flu seems to be almost done with me, I took less painkillers, cough mixture and slept less today ... a good day in retrospect, or as compared to the last few days.
Anyway, and more importantly ... HAPPY NEW YEAR and all the best to everyone in 2007.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Today was the day I had been looking forward to for a long time ... I was meant to photograph the Antwerpen offerfeest, otherwise known as Aid Al-Adha.
Sadly my Spanish cold is a nasty one and all I've done for the last two days is sleep, cough, take painkillers and cough syrup (too late to avoid coughing my throat raw) and sleep somemore.
The worst thing about getting sick in a country that's not your own is that all the remedies and comforts passed down to you by your mother and nana are gone.
I need ice blocks for my throat ... back in New Zealand I would have bought Popsicles or Fru-Jus but they're not available here.
I would have squeezed lemons, added honey and disprin for a hot drink ...
Disprin?
No way.
We have our New Year's Day feast at een uur on Mandag. Fingers crossed that I can beat back this flu cold by then.
Tot ziens from the miserable one.
Sadly my Spanish cold is a nasty one and all I've done for the last two days is sleep, cough, take painkillers and cough syrup (too late to avoid coughing my throat raw) and sleep somemore.
The worst thing about getting sick in a country that's not your own is that all the remedies and comforts passed down to you by your mother and nana are gone.
I need ice blocks for my throat ... back in New Zealand I would have bought Popsicles or Fru-Jus but they're not available here.
I would have squeezed lemons, added honey and disprin for a hot drink ...
Disprin?
No way.
We have our New Year's Day feast at een uur on Mandag. Fingers crossed that I can beat back this flu cold by then.
Tot ziens from the miserable one.
Friday, December 29, 2006
The good news is that the sun is out in Belgium ... the less good news is that I'm feeling terrible.
I have a cold - with throat, head and body aches, accompanied by an unattractive cough. My bed is my constant companion ...
Last time I was this sick I was teaching in Istanbul. I'm not happy to find my old foe has followed me here.
Will get back to you when feeling better.
Tot ziens.
I have a cold - with throat, head and body aches, accompanied by an unattractive cough. My bed is my constant companion ...
Last time I was this sick I was teaching in Istanbul. I'm not happy to find my old foe has followed me here.
Will get back to you when feeling better.
Tot ziens.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
“There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.”Douglas H. Everett
Ascender Rises Above is a blog that often has stunning art work for sale, combined with poetry and extracts like the above.
I loved this quote, with its associated painting and poem .
Ascender Rises Above is a blog that often has stunning art work for sale, combined with poetry and extracts like the above.
I loved this quote, with its associated painting and poem .
Meet my granddaughter ...
One of the most frustrating things about immigrating to Europe has been the time it has taken ...
I was an accidental immigrant - in that I did it without thinking, never imagining that falling in love with a European might be an offence punishable by paperwork.
Along the way I lost things but the worst of it has been the longer than normal seperation from my daughter ... and granddaughter.On the bright side, and there almost always has to be one ... my daughter is a stunning photographer and she sent me a new batch of photographs for Christmas ... so, meet my beautiful granddaughter.
So ...
It's been a bumpy landing, this homecoming ...Everyday we spent in Spain gifted us skies like those in the first photograph here.
With last winter as my guide I can tell you that we had skies like those in the second photograph, taken today, for more than 2 winter months and so it will be again, if the gods of the weather map decide that is how it is to be.
The other cause of this low mood today is about the fact that I sympathised with Erin when she woke 2 mornings ago with a cold that had gone straight to her chest. Today the sympathy has turned to heartfelt empathy ... it seems that the sibling of her cold is a traveller and decided on a quick trip to Belgium so here I am - unwilling host of the moment.I know, I know ... it's post-travel settling back in, normal in fact.
And I'll gamely reply ... 'No wurries mate', hoping to impress all with the casual downunder way of dealing with life.
Meanwhile, I need to go find some chorizo and cook down some wine for the sauce ... am fighting an almost overwhelming desire for a nice tapas lunch.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Merry Christmas !!!
Forgive me for not replying to comments for now ... I´m reading and smiling then releasing them but that´s all I have time for in these days ... snatched moments at the internet cafe as Erin´s connection is down for the duration ... and who has time to blog anyway ;)
Erin´s Spain is a truly incredible place.
Yesterday we drove 60 kilometres to Toro where we wandered, tasted wine and ate a lunch that left us no desire for more food until breakfast this morning.
Today we drove 75kms to a small mountain village in the Sierrra ... a stunning ancient village whose name escapes me for now, and even if I did remember it, my spelling would make ´place´a wild guess for any reader.
We were shown around the pueblo, located above 1000metres, fed a lunch that, once again won´t see us needing to eat until the morning.
Tradition is alive and well up in La Alberca (yes, I leaned over and harassed Erin for location and spelling).
But enough, photographs to follow when we are home again.
Words won´t capture a quarter of what we are seeing.
All the best to everyone reading here ... have the happiest Christmas with family and friends, be safe, be happy.
All the best
Di
Erin´s Spain is a truly incredible place.
Yesterday we drove 60 kilometres to Toro where we wandered, tasted wine and ate a lunch that left us no desire for more food until breakfast this morning.
Today we drove 75kms to a small mountain village in the Sierrra ... a stunning ancient village whose name escapes me for now, and even if I did remember it, my spelling would make ´place´a wild guess for any reader.
We were shown around the pueblo, located above 1000metres, fed a lunch that, once again won´t see us needing to eat until the morning.
Tradition is alive and well up in La Alberca (yes, I leaned over and harassed Erin for location and spelling).
But enough, photographs to follow when we are home again.
Words won´t capture a quarter of what we are seeing.
All the best to everyone reading here ... have the happiest Christmas with family and friends, be safe, be happy.
All the best
Di
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Salamanca ...
is stunning ...!
We´ve been here 24 hours and already there are 400 photographs needing checked.
Erin has given us an evening in tapas bars ... red wine and food to quietly die for ... walked us through the old city, golden sandstone that turns pink as the light changes, deep blue sky that almost makes you forget the occasionally cutting wind.
We´ve heard legends, explored ancient buildings and met some very nice people.
This is only a quick report on my way to other work here at the computer but just so you know, alles goed here in Spain.
Tot ziens.
We´ve been here 24 hours and already there are 400 photographs needing checked.
Erin has given us an evening in tapas bars ... red wine and food to quietly die for ... walked us through the old city, golden sandstone that turns pink as the light changes, deep blue sky that almost makes you forget the occasionally cutting wind.
We´ve heard legends, explored ancient buildings and met some very nice people.
This is only a quick report on my way to other work here at the computer but just so you know, alles goed here in Spain.
Tot ziens.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Woman Wandering ...
Almost all is done ... clothes washed, gifts bought and wrapped, passport found, camera bag packed; most of the long 'to-do' list is done.Glasses picked up from where they were left yesterday, wine and a lovely afternoon spent with a friend,eyebrows reshaped ... hmmmm, must phone home before I fly out.
We're wandering - heading for Spain, guests of that other wanderingwoman .
So that's us, the crowd of three, celebrating a multi-national Christmas ... an American, a Belgian and the New Zealander in Spain.
I can't imagine not blogging, so I'll hold back on the Merry Christmas for now.
Take care and tot binnenkort ...
Monday, December 18, 2006
I've just come in from a most interesting day ...
I was filmed reading an ee cummings poem ... but of course.
Andy Fierens phoned recently, a lovely surprise on my cellphone. He had been given my name and told I was a native English speaker living in Antwerpen. He needed one for an exhibition about poetry and people here in the city, opening January 2007.
Andy's a whole other story it seems ... or series of interesting stories if google has served me well but more than that, he and Mario, the cameraman, made the experience of reading 'the' poem so much more fun than I could have imagined.
Anyway, for those curious here is the poem Di read ...
i like my body when it is with your
i like my body when it is with your
body. It is so quite new a thing.
Muscles better and nerves more.
i like your body. i like what it does,
i like its hows. i like to feel the spine
of your body and its bones, and the trembling
-firm-smooth ness and which i will
again and again and again
kiss, i like kissing this and that of you,
i like, slowly stroking the, shocking fuzz
of your electric furr, and what-is-it comes
over parting flesh....And eyes big love-crumbs,
and possibly i like the thrill
of under me you so quite new
I was filmed reading an ee cummings poem ... but of course.
Andy Fierens phoned recently, a lovely surprise on my cellphone. He had been given my name and told I was a native English speaker living in Antwerpen. He needed one for an exhibition about poetry and people here in the city, opening January 2007.
Andy's a whole other story it seems ... or series of interesting stories if google has served me well but more than that, he and Mario, the cameraman, made the experience of reading 'the' poem so much more fun than I could have imagined.
Anyway, for those curious here is the poem Di read ...
i like my body when it is with your
i like my body when it is with your
body. It is so quite new a thing.
Muscles better and nerves more.
i like your body. i like what it does,
i like its hows. i like to feel the spine
of your body and its bones, and the trembling
-firm-smooth ness and which i will
again and again and again
kiss, i like kissing this and that of you,
i like, slowly stroking the, shocking fuzz
of your electric furr, and what-is-it comes
over parting flesh....And eyes big love-crumbs,
and possibly i like the thrill
of under me you so quite new
Sunday, December 17, 2006
A thought-provoking BBC drama
Something that hits me again and again here in Europe, is the plight of the immigrant ... most particularly the ones who aren't wanted ... wrong colour, wrong race, wrong religion, illegal or political refugees. And while everyone is busy with learning why they should hate and fear them, often they're people just like you and me, people who are just trying to live.
I was watching a BBC drama tonight and was impressed by the 'reality' aspect of it. I went web-wandering and found the write up... Born Equal started life as a film about homelessness but, as the director Dominic Savage embarked upon his research, a markedly different film began to take shape.
"I knew then that one of the issues I really wanted to deal with was the extremes of difference in people's lives - and, in a place like London, those extremes can be experienced within just a few streets. People can be in hugely different worlds but sharing the same space.
"The film shows huge contrasts between people and how they live, their ideas, what they've got and what they haven't got," says Savage, who points out that although the film is set in London, the same contrasts can be seen all over Britain.
"In the end, what the film aspires to achieve is to encourage people to think more about others, care about the less fortunate and be more aware of what's going on around them."
It's worth seeing.
I was watching a BBC drama tonight and was impressed by the 'reality' aspect of it. I went web-wandering and found the write up... Born Equal started life as a film about homelessness but, as the director Dominic Savage embarked upon his research, a markedly different film began to take shape.
"I knew then that one of the issues I really wanted to deal with was the extremes of difference in people's lives - and, in a place like London, those extremes can be experienced within just a few streets. People can be in hugely different worlds but sharing the same space.
"The film shows huge contrasts between people and how they live, their ideas, what they've got and what they haven't got," says Savage, who points out that although the film is set in London, the same contrasts can be seen all over Britain.
"In the end, what the film aspires to achieve is to encourage people to think more about others, care about the less fortunate and be more aware of what's going on around them."
It's worth seeing.
Peter Lik, Photographer
Gert's brother just sent us a link to a rather stunning photography website.
If you feel like wandering through Australia or America then you might quite enjoy looking through Peter Lik's photography website .
Peter Lik is the world’s most innovative and prolific landscape photographers.
His passion and dedication to his craft are unsurpassed, and Peter is recognized as the leaders in his field.
He was born in Melbourne Australia and is the only son of Czech immigrant parents. Completely self taught, Peter’s talent for photography was evident from an early age.
He first picked up a camera at the age of eight, and has retained a spirit and enthusiasm for his work that is equaled only by his unbounded energy and deep affinity for the land.
It was while travelling in Alaska in 1994 that Peter’s fascination with photography took a dramatic turn. Previously only working with 35mm cameras, he discovered the encompassing view of the panoramic camera and he was converted. It opened up a whole new world of creative possibilities and took him to another level in his photography.
If you feel like wandering through Australia or America then you might quite enjoy looking through Peter Lik's photography website .
Peter Lik is the world’s most innovative and prolific landscape photographers.
His passion and dedication to his craft are unsurpassed, and Peter is recognized as the leaders in his field.
He was born in Melbourne Australia and is the only son of Czech immigrant parents. Completely self taught, Peter’s talent for photography was evident from an early age.
He first picked up a camera at the age of eight, and has retained a spirit and enthusiasm for his work that is equaled only by his unbounded energy and deep affinity for the land.
It was while travelling in Alaska in 1994 that Peter’s fascination with photography took a dramatic turn. Previously only working with 35mm cameras, he discovered the encompassing view of the panoramic camera and he was converted. It opened up a whole new world of creative possibilities and took him to another level in his photography.
Out and About in December
For the second year in a row, I found myself standing in a square here in the city, taking in the sights and the sounds and the smells of Antwerpen's Christmas Market.
It's warmer this year but the ice rink is up and operational over in Grote Markt and I felt something like nostalgia when the big red A's lit up the buildings surrounding the square as the afternoon darkened.
We had paused for a lunch of super-large bratworst in a bread roll, with that odd tasting, almost cinnamon tomato ketchup they've been serving up lately.
We found me a warm jersey and wandered back to the square ... smoutebollen were next on the list of things that must be eaten. We shared a paper cone filled with 7 icing sugar-covered piping hot smoutebollen. Gert claimed they weren't hot, I say they were.
He devoured 4 in the time it took me to gingerly nibble my way through two. He waited a while after his first two but I told him to chomp on ... clearly this is some kind of natural talent.
He then horrified me by putting an entire smoutebol in his mouth ... I continued to knaw away at mine.
The day had begun with a jaunt to the Rosada factory outlet in the Netherlands. It's about 45kms from Antwerpen and it's a little collection of shops that sell Levis, Nike and etc.
Gert found some shoes, I resisted all, finding nothing that tempted me. I have a tendency to fall in love with my clothing and avoid settling for less than that love-thing unless I'm caught in an in-process immigrant kind of experience where money and the life you knew before aren't really options.
no matter ... Rosada Factory Outlet can be found here .
It's warmer this year but the ice rink is up and operational over in Grote Markt and I felt something like nostalgia when the big red A's lit up the buildings surrounding the square as the afternoon darkened.
We had paused for a lunch of super-large bratworst in a bread roll, with that odd tasting, almost cinnamon tomato ketchup they've been serving up lately.
We found me a warm jersey and wandered back to the square ... smoutebollen were next on the list of things that must be eaten. We shared a paper cone filled with 7 icing sugar-covered piping hot smoutebollen. Gert claimed they weren't hot, I say they were.
He devoured 4 in the time it took me to gingerly nibble my way through two. He waited a while after his first two but I told him to chomp on ... clearly this is some kind of natural talent.
He then horrified me by putting an entire smoutebol in his mouth ... I continued to knaw away at mine.
The day had begun with a jaunt to the Rosada factory outlet in the Netherlands. It's about 45kms from Antwerpen and it's a little collection of shops that sell Levis, Nike and etc.
Gert found some shoes, I resisted all, finding nothing that tempted me. I have a tendency to fall in love with my clothing and avoid settling for less than that love-thing unless I'm caught in an in-process immigrant kind of experience where money and the life you knew before aren't really options.
no matter ... Rosada Factory Outlet can be found here .
Saturday, December 16, 2006
I gave up reading the news for a week, more or less ... I didn't feel like it.
Yesterday woke me again. I was reading Der Spiegel's article about tax evading prostitutes in Cologne, stunned by the gap in the article that concludes that there appears to be a significant number of tax evaders.
How did they deduce this ... well they worked out how many prostitutes there were in Germany and did the math.
But ... they only needed to research a little further and discover the reality of prostitution in Europe ... that human traffiking is alive and well.
In an article about taxing prostitutues in Antwerp - referring to the 'tax' as a tax on 'the windows they or their owners hire' you quickly discover what the German tax inspectors are overlooking:
You can read: But even here (in Antwerp), human trafficking endures just outside the zone. Police say illegal prostitutes still outnumber legal ones and about a quarter of the total are the victims of human trafficking or work for pimps. In Germany, aid groups say there are three times as many illegal prostitutes as legally registered ones. In the Netherlands, only 5 percent to 10 percent of the nearly 20,000 prostitutes pay taxes, according to the Prostitution Information Center in Amsterdam.
Dated May 2005 you can read the rest of that article here .
Sometimes the big papers don't tell it like it is and so perhaps I need to keep reading the news because the gaps frighten me.
Yesterday woke me again. I was reading Der Spiegel's article about tax evading prostitutes in Cologne, stunned by the gap in the article that concludes that there appears to be a significant number of tax evaders.
How did they deduce this ... well they worked out how many prostitutes there were in Germany and did the math.
But ... they only needed to research a little further and discover the reality of prostitution in Europe ... that human traffiking is alive and well.
In an article about taxing prostitutues in Antwerp - referring to the 'tax' as a tax on 'the windows they or their owners hire' you quickly discover what the German tax inspectors are overlooking:
You can read: But even here (in Antwerp), human trafficking endures just outside the zone. Police say illegal prostitutes still outnumber legal ones and about a quarter of the total are the victims of human trafficking or work for pimps. In Germany, aid groups say there are three times as many illegal prostitutes as legally registered ones. In the Netherlands, only 5 percent to 10 percent of the nearly 20,000 prostitutes pay taxes, according to the Prostitution Information Center in Amsterdam.
Dated May 2005 you can read the rest of that article here .
Sometimes the big papers don't tell it like it is and so perhaps I need to keep reading the news because the gaps frighten me.
Friday, December 15, 2006
I haven't blogged much this week, I've felt like rubbish since Sunday morning ... it comes and it goes, I've had busy moments in between. No matter, I plan on curing myself at the weekend.
And there's talk of finding me a warm winter coat in the Netherlands tomorrow and then there's our preparations for a Christmas in Spain ... did I mention that yet?
I guess that's one of the oddest things about being a New Zealander on this side of the world ... places like Spain are so much closer than they ever were back home on the wee island-continent.
And there's talk of finding me a warm winter coat in the Netherlands tomorrow and then there's our preparations for a Christmas in Spain ... did I mention that yet?
I guess that's one of the oddest things about being a New Zealander on this side of the world ... places like Spain are so much closer than they ever were back home on the wee island-continent.
Belgium Split ...
I've been busy this last 36 hours and completely missed the latest uproar in Belgium.
Note: Peter did a much more well-informed and interesting post on it over here .
Erin wrote asking about 'it' and I took advice from my Belgian on what she was talking about.'
He was smiling when told me of this (yes, he's Flemish): RTBF's CEO, Jean-Paul Philippot, takes full responsibility for a fake news bulletin that portrayed the splitting of Flanders from the rest of Belgium in real time.
It's certainly the craziest idea and best kept secret ever to take shape in the hallways of the headquarters of radio and television company for Belgian Francophones RTBF, on Reyers' Boulevard, reports Le Soir newspaper.
A team of journalists from the RTBF shocked the nation as they broadcast this fictional news bulletin portraying the scission of Flanders live from outside the Flemish Parliament; discussing these unlikely events with journalist, politicians and celebrities.
Several prominent Flemish politicians took part in the broadcast including the speaker of the chamber of representatives, Flemish Liberal Herman Decroo.
The concept had been kept secret for several months and all the interviewees were well-versed in their roles.
Note: Peter did a much more well-informed and interesting post on it over here .
Erin wrote asking about 'it' and I took advice from my Belgian on what she was talking about.'
He was smiling when told me of this (yes, he's Flemish): RTBF's CEO, Jean-Paul Philippot, takes full responsibility for a fake news bulletin that portrayed the splitting of Flanders from the rest of Belgium in real time.
It's certainly the craziest idea and best kept secret ever to take shape in the hallways of the headquarters of radio and television company for Belgian Francophones RTBF, on Reyers' Boulevard, reports Le Soir newspaper.
A team of journalists from the RTBF shocked the nation as they broadcast this fictional news bulletin portraying the scission of Flanders live from outside the Flemish Parliament; discussing these unlikely events with journalist, politicians and celebrities.
Several prominent Flemish politicians took part in the broadcast including the speaker of the chamber of representatives, Flemish Liberal Herman Decroo.
The concept had been kept secret for several months and all the interviewees were well-versed in their roles.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Still slightly seedy this morning but the nausea is definately easing.
I had to laugh when I saw the difference in the way that I treat myself if I think the illness is self-induced and when it's a flu.
I suffered with the hangover, I even confessed here just because blogging was the very last thing that I felt like but then, as the days went on and the blogging fairy stayed quiet, I began to question the hangover theory.
Of course, I always start with the worst-case scenario. My mother and nana both died very soon after diagnosis a few years ago and some events scar a person some, whether they're conscious or not.
Yesterday, Gert filled my little worried heart with joy as he confessed to feeling quite ill.
It's a flu!
This woman who hasn't had a flu for years is just coming out the other side of her first Belgian flu.
Life is good.
Yesterday I received the poem I'm reading for the camera on Monday.
I'll post after the event. That's a retrospective story methinks ...
Off to the city today.
Tot ziens.
I had to laugh when I saw the difference in the way that I treat myself if I think the illness is self-induced and when it's a flu.
I suffered with the hangover, I even confessed here just because blogging was the very last thing that I felt like but then, as the days went on and the blogging fairy stayed quiet, I began to question the hangover theory.
Of course, I always start with the worst-case scenario. My mother and nana both died very soon after diagnosis a few years ago and some events scar a person some, whether they're conscious or not.
Yesterday, Gert filled my little worried heart with joy as he confessed to feeling quite ill.
It's a flu!
This woman who hasn't had a flu for years is just coming out the other side of her first Belgian flu.
Life is good.
Yesterday I received the poem I'm reading for the camera on Monday.
I'll post after the event. That's a retrospective story methinks ...
Off to the city today.
Tot ziens.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Okay, the sickness continues ... I blogged incorrectly, that was no hangover or perhaps a little one but it's Wednesday and I'm still a bit crook, as we say back in New Zealand (sick, ill ... )
No matter, last night was a good night here in Belgie. The NZIB (New Zealanders in Belgium) had their annual Christmas party, made all the better because it was hosted by and included some Australians.
For all the mocking that goes on between Australia and New Zealand, we do enjoy catching up with each other. I realised the game of it when both my brothers married Australians and so many friends made good lives for themselves over in Australia.
We just prefer to win when competing against them and happily, I could mention the All Blacks with pride ;)
Life is speeding along here.
My photography website is soon to go live, largely thanks to the people I find around me in these days. It's one thing to be able to take the photographs but quite another to have experts in PR, website development, photographers and creative types working with me.
Slowly but surely ...
No matter, last night was a good night here in Belgie. The NZIB (New Zealanders in Belgium) had their annual Christmas party, made all the better because it was hosted by and included some Australians.
For all the mocking that goes on between Australia and New Zealand, we do enjoy catching up with each other. I realised the game of it when both my brothers married Australians and so many friends made good lives for themselves over in Australia.
We just prefer to win when competing against them and happily, I could mention the All Blacks with pride ;)
Life is speeding along here.
My photography website is soon to go live, largely thanks to the people I find around me in these days. It's one thing to be able to take the photographs but quite another to have experts in PR, website development, photographers and creative types working with me.
Slowly but surely ...
Monday, December 11, 2006
Saturday night in Antwerpen
Responding to Meneer Manic's nagging I'm finally updating my blog, although his comment did correspond with an improvement in my health and I just want to say, 'that'was more than a hangover. I didn't drink enough to stay ill for 2 days ... really, I didn't.
So I slept until lunchtime today and now I'm slowly but surely rebooting life as normal.
It's good to be back actually.
The party on Saturday ... well I looked round the room at one point and thought 'What really nice people.'
Numbers were down due to various friends and acquaintences flying home for their Christmas celebrations or they had been pre-booked, which is common enough at this time of year but still, our lounge ended up with a few small groups of interesting people chatting about all manner of things.
There's a moment I look for when partying ... it's like a small 'ting'; that moment when you realise it's going to be okay, people are talking, mingling ... alles goed.
Shannon, Alison and I started up this party tradition where we keep opening the circle. So each party, we invite folk we've met along the way. Shannon and Gabe's first party like this was spectacular as Shannon invited her entire French class ...
Out here in the world, I meet the most incredible people and it's a real pleasure to bring everyone together; a privilege to be allowed to know them really.
So yes, Saturday night was a good night, according to me.
So I slept until lunchtime today and now I'm slowly but surely rebooting life as normal.
It's good to be back actually.
The party on Saturday ... well I looked round the room at one point and thought 'What really nice people.'
Numbers were down due to various friends and acquaintences flying home for their Christmas celebrations or they had been pre-booked, which is common enough at this time of year but still, our lounge ended up with a few small groups of interesting people chatting about all manner of things.
There's a moment I look for when partying ... it's like a small 'ting'; that moment when you realise it's going to be okay, people are talking, mingling ... alles goed.
Shannon, Alison and I started up this party tradition where we keep opening the circle. So each party, we invite folk we've met along the way. Shannon and Gabe's first party like this was spectacular as Shannon invited her entire French class ...
Out here in the world, I meet the most incredible people and it's a real pleasure to bring everyone together; a privilege to be allowed to know them really.
So yes, Saturday night was a good night, according to me.
Jahangir Razmi, Pulitzer Prize winner
I found this fascinating story in The Wall Street Journal.
Here are some extracts but the entire story is interesting ...
TEHRAN - On Aug. 27, 1979, two parallel lines of 11 men formed on a field of dry dirt in Sanandaj, Iran. One group wore blindfolds. The other held rifles. The command came in Farsi to fire: "Atesh!" Behind the soldier farthest to the right, a 12th man also shot, his Nikon camera and Kodak film preserving in black and white a mass execution.
Within hours, the photo ran across six columns in Ettela'at, the oldest newspaper in Iran. Within days, it appeared on front pages around the world. Within weeks, the new Iranian government annexed the offending paper. Within months, the photo won the Pulitzer Prize.
Ettela'at, however, didn't print the photographer's name, fearing his safety. The Pulitzer was officially awarded to "an unnamed photographer of United Press International," the news service that distributed the photo in the U.S. It remains the only time the award has ever been given to an anonymous recipient.
In fact, nearly three decades after the epochal photograph first appeared, almost no one knows who took it.
But Mr. Razmi, who is now 58, said part of him always wanted to step forward. He was disappointed when he first saw that his photo didn't carry his name. He was irked when others took credit, people who "never feel the danger," he said. And all the time, he was weighted by his secret, that of an ordinary man witness to extraordinary events. "Without this picture," he said, "I wouldn't be anything."
Emboldened by time and dismayed by the opportunism of his fellow photographers, Mr. Razmi decided the moment was right to tell his tale after this newspaper approached him. "My name should be there," he said.
Says Mr. Razmi: "There's no more reason to hide."
Here are some extracts but the entire story is interesting ...
TEHRAN - On Aug. 27, 1979, two parallel lines of 11 men formed on a field of dry dirt in Sanandaj, Iran. One group wore blindfolds. The other held rifles. The command came in Farsi to fire: "Atesh!" Behind the soldier farthest to the right, a 12th man also shot, his Nikon camera and Kodak film preserving in black and white a mass execution.
Within hours, the photo ran across six columns in Ettela'at, the oldest newspaper in Iran. Within days, it appeared on front pages around the world. Within weeks, the new Iranian government annexed the offending paper. Within months, the photo won the Pulitzer Prize.
Ettela'at, however, didn't print the photographer's name, fearing his safety. The Pulitzer was officially awarded to "an unnamed photographer of United Press International," the news service that distributed the photo in the U.S. It remains the only time the award has ever been given to an anonymous recipient.
In fact, nearly three decades after the epochal photograph first appeared, almost no one knows who took it.
But Mr. Razmi, who is now 58, said part of him always wanted to step forward. He was disappointed when he first saw that his photo didn't carry his name. He was irked when others took credit, people who "never feel the danger," he said. And all the time, he was weighted by his secret, that of an ordinary man witness to extraordinary events. "Without this picture," he said, "I wouldn't be anything."
Emboldened by time and dismayed by the opportunism of his fellow photographers, Mr. Razmi decided the moment was right to tell his tale after this newspaper approached him. "My name should be there," he said.
Says Mr. Razmi: "There's no more reason to hide."
Sunday, December 10, 2006
A slow day today
I really hate the fact that being sorry for drinking a little too much doesn't fix anything ... one still has to suffer the consequences.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Friday, December 08, 2006
Another good day ...
Sometimes my days are sublime ...
I started out sluggish, there was no other word for it. I was tired after Germany and I had to clean up breakfast before my 'office-space' was pleasing to me. Sometimes I mumble about that. Gert has a cleaning lady who cleans up his office as he sleeps ... I want one too.
I had some 40x60cm enlargements waiting for me in the city.
Seeing them would give me some idea of print enlargement quality on images from my little EOS Canon 350D. I was scared I might be left wanting more ... a bigger digital, more pixels 'n stuff.
I dragged myself out of the house wishing my umbrella was bigger ... rain.
At the shop and I loved the results!
Later, as I was about to climb on the tram, I missed a call on my cellphone. Digging around in my bag, I pressed redial and greeted the caller warmly, assuming I knew them.
He hastily said, 'You don't know me' and was quietly worried Just how friendly was I ...?
He needed my help, he told me.
Curious I listened as I boarded the tram ... no mean feat with a full bag of groceries, a flimsy plastic bag of fragile photographs and a handbag.
He needed a native English speaker for an exposition in the city next year.
He talked some more, describing a rather delicious sounding project where I will be filmed reading a poem and that's all I'm telling for now. I need to know a little more before attempting to explain.
I said yes because out in the world, I promised myself I would say yes to as many new adventures as I had the courage for ... this seemed like a good one.
Then ... as if my cup hadn't already runneth over ... I received an email about photographing the Offerfeest here in the city at the end of December.
Stunned and delighted I am.
In 2001 I discovered anthropology while studying literature and I took as many classes in anth as was possible.
These days I'm living a dream I didn't have the imagination to dream.
It was a good day ...
Who knew ...
Joe Sharkey at The New York Times wrote an article that sent chills through me ...
Why?
Because it's yet another sign that America is no longer the land of the free.
A lot of business travelers are walking around with laptops that contain private corporate information that their employers really do not want outsiders to see.
Until recently, their biggest concern was that someone might steal the laptop. But now there's a new worry - that the laptop will be seized or its contents scrutinized at U.S. customs and immigration checkpoints upon entering the United States from abroad.
Although much of the evidence for the confiscations remains anecdotal, it's a hot topic this week among more than a thousand corporate travel managers and travel industry officials meeting in Barcelona at a conference of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives.
Last week, an informal survey by the association, which has about 2,500 members worldwide, indicated that almost 90 percent of its members were not aware that customs officials have the authority to scrutinize the contents of travelers' laptops and even confiscate laptops for a period of time, without giving a reason.
"One member who responded to our survey said she has been waiting for a year to get her laptop and its contents back," said Susan Gurley, the group's executive director. "She said it was randomly seized. And since she hasn't been arrested, I assume she was just a regular business traveler, not a criminal."
... Appeals are under way in some cases, but the law is clear. "They don't need probable cause to perform these searches under the current law," said Tim Kane, a Washington lawyer who is researching the matter for corporate clients. "They can do it without suspicion or without really revealing their motivations."
Oddly enough, it becomes another reason not to fly to the US ... love the people, can't deal with the politics and paranoia of the president and those who make his policies.
Thanks for passing it on Erin ...
Why?
Because it's yet another sign that America is no longer the land of the free.
A lot of business travelers are walking around with laptops that contain private corporate information that their employers really do not want outsiders to see.
Until recently, their biggest concern was that someone might steal the laptop. But now there's a new worry - that the laptop will be seized or its contents scrutinized at U.S. customs and immigration checkpoints upon entering the United States from abroad.
Although much of the evidence for the confiscations remains anecdotal, it's a hot topic this week among more than a thousand corporate travel managers and travel industry officials meeting in Barcelona at a conference of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives.
Last week, an informal survey by the association, which has about 2,500 members worldwide, indicated that almost 90 percent of its members were not aware that customs officials have the authority to scrutinize the contents of travelers' laptops and even confiscate laptops for a period of time, without giving a reason.
"One member who responded to our survey said she has been waiting for a year to get her laptop and its contents back," said Susan Gurley, the group's executive director. "She said it was randomly seized. And since she hasn't been arrested, I assume she was just a regular business traveler, not a criminal."
... Appeals are under way in some cases, but the law is clear. "They don't need probable cause to perform these searches under the current law," said Tim Kane, a Washington lawyer who is researching the matter for corporate clients. "They can do it without suspicion or without really revealing their motivations."
Oddly enough, it becomes another reason not to fly to the US ... love the people, can't deal with the politics and paranoia of the president and those who make his policies.
Thanks for passing it on Erin ...
Christmas Markets In Germany
Der Spiegel is running a story about Germany's Christmas markets ...
Antwerpen's Christmas Market opens tonight. This article gives you a taste of the winter Christmas tradition that is everywhere here.
For hundreds of years, merchants have erected small wooden huts in the ancient centers of cities and towns all across Germany at Christmas, where artisans peddle handicrafts, baked goods, regional cuisine and millions of liters of Glühwein (mulled wine) to help keep Jack Frost away. For the month of December, right up to the 24th, and in some cases until New Year's, the country's world-famous Christmas markets offer a sort of mini Oktoberfest all across the country, where dirndl-clad Bavarian bar wenches, beer and pretzels are replaced with Saint Nicholas, Glühwein, gingerbread, fruitcake, speculatius and other holiday delights.
Antwerpen's Christmas Market opens tonight. This article gives you a taste of the winter Christmas tradition that is everywhere here.
For hundreds of years, merchants have erected small wooden huts in the ancient centers of cities and towns all across Germany at Christmas, where artisans peddle handicrafts, baked goods, regional cuisine and millions of liters of Glühwein (mulled wine) to help keep Jack Frost away. For the month of December, right up to the 24th, and in some cases until New Year's, the country's world-famous Christmas markets offer a sort of mini Oktoberfest all across the country, where dirndl-clad Bavarian bar wenches, beer and pretzels are replaced with Saint Nicholas, Glühwein, gingerbread, fruitcake, speculatius and other holiday delights.
Sample questions on your test for entry to Britain ...
I can only hope that I'm not faced with this line of questioning on re-entering New Zealand because after spending most of my life there ... well, let's just say I'm clearly not worthy of inclusion in the society there ;)
Migration to Britain: Where have migrants come from in the past and why? What sort of work have they done?
The changing role of women: Do women have equal rights and has this always been the case? Are there as many women in education or work as men? Do women get the same pay as men? Do women with children work?
Children, family and young people: How many young people are there in the UK? Do many children live in single parent families or step-families? When do children leave home? What sort of work do children do? When do children take tests at school? How many go on to higher education? What are the minimum ages for buying alcohol and tobacco? What drugs are illegal? How interested are young people in politics? What do they see as the main issues today?
Population: How many people live in the countries of the UK? What is the census and how is census data collected and used? How many people belong to an ethnic minority and which are the largest minority groups? Where are there large ethnic communities?
Religion and tolerance: How many people say they have a religion and how many attend religious services? What are the largest religious groups? What is the Church of England and who is its head? What are the main Christian groups?
The regions of Britain: Where are Geordie, Cockney and Scouse dialects spoken?
Customs and traditions: Do people tend to live in the cities or in the country? What and when are the national days of the four countries of the UK? What are bank holidays? What and when are the main Christian festivals? What other traditional days are celebrated?
The working system of government: What are MPs? How often are elections held and who forms the government? What is the role of the Prime Minister? Who advises them and what are the main roles in the Cabinet? What type of constitution does the UK have? What is Her Majesty's Opposition and what is the role of the Leader of the Opposition? How is political debate reported? Are newspapers free to publish opinions or do they have to remain impartial?
The formal institutions – 1: What is the Queen's official role and what ceremonial duties does she have? How do elections for the House of Commons work? How are candidates selected? What do the Speaker and Whips do? What is the House of Lords and who are its members? How can you visit Parliament?
The formal institutions – 2: How are judges appointed and how do they apply the law? How are the police organised and who controls their administration? What is the civil service and how do civil servants work with government? How are local services managed, governed and paid for?
Devolved administration: What is proportional representation and where is it used? What are the powers of the devolved administrations? Which areas of policy remain under the control of the UK government? What are quangos and non-departmental public bodies?
Britain in Europe and the world: What are the roles and powers of the main institutions of Europe? How is European law organised? What rights do citizens of European Union states have to travel and work? What is the Commonwealth? What is the United Nations and what is Britain's role within it?
The ordinary citizen: What rights and duties do UK citizens have? Who has the right to vote and at what age? How and when do you register to vote? Who can stand for public office? How do you contact an elected representative?
Sourced from Telegraph News .
Migration to Britain: Where have migrants come from in the past and why? What sort of work have they done?
The changing role of women: Do women have equal rights and has this always been the case? Are there as many women in education or work as men? Do women get the same pay as men? Do women with children work?
Children, family and young people: How many young people are there in the UK? Do many children live in single parent families or step-families? When do children leave home? What sort of work do children do? When do children take tests at school? How many go on to higher education? What are the minimum ages for buying alcohol and tobacco? What drugs are illegal? How interested are young people in politics? What do they see as the main issues today?
Population: How many people live in the countries of the UK? What is the census and how is census data collected and used? How many people belong to an ethnic minority and which are the largest minority groups? Where are there large ethnic communities?
Religion and tolerance: How many people say they have a religion and how many attend religious services? What are the largest religious groups? What is the Church of England and who is its head? What are the main Christian groups?
The regions of Britain: Where are Geordie, Cockney and Scouse dialects spoken?
Customs and traditions: Do people tend to live in the cities or in the country? What and when are the national days of the four countries of the UK? What are bank holidays? What and when are the main Christian festivals? What other traditional days are celebrated?
The working system of government: What are MPs? How often are elections held and who forms the government? What is the role of the Prime Minister? Who advises them and what are the main roles in the Cabinet? What type of constitution does the UK have? What is Her Majesty's Opposition and what is the role of the Leader of the Opposition? How is political debate reported? Are newspapers free to publish opinions or do they have to remain impartial?
The formal institutions – 1: What is the Queen's official role and what ceremonial duties does she have? How do elections for the House of Commons work? How are candidates selected? What do the Speaker and Whips do? What is the House of Lords and who are its members? How can you visit Parliament?
The formal institutions – 2: How are judges appointed and how do they apply the law? How are the police organised and who controls their administration? What is the civil service and how do civil servants work with government? How are local services managed, governed and paid for?
Devolved administration: What is proportional representation and where is it used? What are the powers of the devolved administrations? Which areas of policy remain under the control of the UK government? What are quangos and non-departmental public bodies?
Britain in Europe and the world: What are the roles and powers of the main institutions of Europe? How is European law organised? What rights do citizens of European Union states have to travel and work? What is the Commonwealth? What is the United Nations and what is Britain's role within it?
The ordinary citizen: What rights and duties do UK citizens have? Who has the right to vote and at what age? How and when do you register to vote? Who can stand for public office? How do you contact an elected representative?
Sourced from Telegraph News .
Erkan Saka, Anthropologist and Blogger
Watching the headlines spin by over here in Europe or is that 'headlines spun about Turkey here in Europe', I can begin to imagine how Turks might feel about their 'path' to the EU.I found the cartoon over on Erkan's website .
I often source information from Erkan's site but I haven't written about who he is for quite some time. Erkan Saka is a Ph.D candidate in the Anthropology Department of Rice University and a teaching assistant at the Media and Communication Systems Department of Istanbul Bilgi University.
He uses his blog to register his fieldwork for his dissertation thesis project on Turkish journalism and the European Union (EU).
His blog is an interesting source of news, commentaries, casual analyses, documents, fieldnotes etc related to Turkey, the EU and his research as well as his posts on anthropology, journalism, cyberculture, football (soccer), reading notes and other field attractions ...
As usual ... thanks Erkan :)
Orhan Pamuk's Nobel Lecture, 2006
Erkan posted an extract from Orhan Pamuk's Nobel Lecture this year ... a speech that you probably won't find mentioned on mainstream television channels however, no matter, it is their loss.
He also posted a link to Orhan's moving Nobel lecture ... .
Some extracts: A writer is someone who spends years patiently trying to discover the second being inside him, and the world that makes him who he is: when I speak of writing, what comes first to my mind is not a novel, a poem, or literary tradition, it is a person who shuts himself up in a room, sits down at a table, and alone, turns inward; amid its shadows, he builds a new world with words.
He can write poems, plays, or novels, as I do. All these differences come after the crucial task of sitting down at the table and patiently turning inwards. To write is to turn this inward gaze into words, to study the world into which that person passes when he retires into himself, and to do so with patience, obstinacy, and joy.
As I sit at my table, for days, months, years, slowly adding new words to the empty page, I feel as if I am creating a new world, as if I am bringing into being that other person inside me, in the same way someone might build a bridge or a dome, stone by stone.
The stones we writers use are words. As we hold them in our hands, sensing the ways in which each of them is connected to the others, looking at them sometimes from afar, sometimes almost caressing them with our fingers and the tips of our pens, weighing them, moving them around, year in and year out, patiently and hopefully, we create new worlds.
The writer's secret is not inspiration – for it is never clear where it comes from – it is his stubbornness, his patience. That lovely Turkish saying – to dig a well with a needle – seems to me to have been said with writers in mind.
...I believe literature to be the most valuable hoard that humanity has gathered in its quest to understand itself. Societies, tribes, and peoples grow more intelligent, richer, and more advanced as they pay attention to the troubled words of their authors, and, as we all know, the burning of books and the denigration of writers are both signals that dark and improvident times are upon us.
But literature is never just a national concern. The writer who shuts himself up in a room and first goes on a journey inside himself will, over the years, discover literature's eternal rule: he must have the artistry to tell his own stories as if they are other people's stories, and to tell other people's stories as if they were his own, for this is what literature is. But we must first travel through other peoples' stories and books.
He also posted a link to Orhan's moving Nobel lecture ... .
Some extracts: A writer is someone who spends years patiently trying to discover the second being inside him, and the world that makes him who he is: when I speak of writing, what comes first to my mind is not a novel, a poem, or literary tradition, it is a person who shuts himself up in a room, sits down at a table, and alone, turns inward; amid its shadows, he builds a new world with words.
He can write poems, plays, or novels, as I do. All these differences come after the crucial task of sitting down at the table and patiently turning inwards. To write is to turn this inward gaze into words, to study the world into which that person passes when he retires into himself, and to do so with patience, obstinacy, and joy.
As I sit at my table, for days, months, years, slowly adding new words to the empty page, I feel as if I am creating a new world, as if I am bringing into being that other person inside me, in the same way someone might build a bridge or a dome, stone by stone.
The stones we writers use are words. As we hold them in our hands, sensing the ways in which each of them is connected to the others, looking at them sometimes from afar, sometimes almost caressing them with our fingers and the tips of our pens, weighing them, moving them around, year in and year out, patiently and hopefully, we create new worlds.
The writer's secret is not inspiration – for it is never clear where it comes from – it is his stubbornness, his patience. That lovely Turkish saying – to dig a well with a needle – seems to me to have been said with writers in mind.
...I believe literature to be the most valuable hoard that humanity has gathered in its quest to understand itself. Societies, tribes, and peoples grow more intelligent, richer, and more advanced as they pay attention to the troubled words of their authors, and, as we all know, the burning of books and the denigration of writers are both signals that dark and improvident times are upon us.
But literature is never just a national concern. The writer who shuts himself up in a room and first goes on a journey inside himself will, over the years, discover literature's eternal rule: he must have the artistry to tell his own stories as if they are other people's stories, and to tell other people's stories as if they were his own, for this is what literature is. But we must first travel through other peoples' stories and books.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
A.W.O.L
Off to Germany for the day ...
The Canucks have invited this Kiwi to travel with them to Koeln (Cologne) ... curious I am to see what is there.
Weather Underground reports 8 celsius and cloudy.
No mention of the horrendous rain expected in Belgie today ...
Tot ziens.
The Canucks have invited this Kiwi to travel with them to Koeln (Cologne) ... curious I am to see what is there.
Weather Underground reports 8 celsius and cloudy.
No mention of the horrendous rain expected in Belgie today ...
Tot ziens.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
A couple of memorable quotes from Der Spiegel ...
Wolfowitz is the textbook example of the coexistence of cleverness and stupidity or, to put it more politely, for the coexistence of intellectualism and naiveté in a single person.
They go on through the list of those serving America ... Yet another irony of fate: Bolton, the blockhead and America First type, as UN ambassador. As a diplomat.
But the article is there for all to read.
Gerhard Spörl titled his piece Bye Bye Blockheads ...
They go on through the list of those serving America ... Yet another irony of fate: Bolton, the blockhead and America First type, as UN ambassador. As a diplomat.
But the article is there for all to read.
Gerhard Spörl titled his piece Bye Bye Blockheads ...
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
It's been a day ...
I'm writing this post from Gert's office in the city ... He foresaw problems with me hanging out here for a couple of hours on this wet, dark, rainy, windy day and offered me a colleague's computer. Or he may have been compelled by pity as he watched me struggling to handwrite a letter to an old friend. I seem to have lost the power of writing.
It's been one of those days ...
I had my 4th dental appointment this morning and like a boxer going into the ring, I have my preparation time beforehand.
I was alone and contemplative.
I left in time to be 5 minutes early, my dentist was running at least 30 minutes behind however it was okay, I chatted with the policewoman who had travelled 2 hours on the train simply because she had heard my dentist was so good.
I confirmed both dentists in the practice were superb.
We exchanged phone numbers and will have coffee next time she's in the city.
Then, having had a filling removed from the very back of my mouth ... my very small mouth ... I wasn't quite feeling myself and blocked Gert's money card with too many attempts.
And so here I am, having met Gert who unblocked the money card, waiting for my 6.30pm photography appointment with interesting people in the city.
Last time I tried meeting a similar group, I was running late due to babysitting Gert's son, although I would have made it on time ... until my tramline was blocked by a bus crash.
The Chinese Englishman, a Nigerian guy from Brussels, a silent Chinese woman and I made our way through the rain darkened streets in search of a bus on the other side of the accident.
Really, we did.
We talked as we walked ... the English guy had recently been bankrupted and was having trouble with baliffs but he was a friendly soul.
The Nigerian was married but couldn't get his wife into Belgium.
The Chinese woman smiled and said nothing.
We parted ways when my destination came in to view.
Once there, I was told by a woman that I was in the wrong place. She gave me a map, telling me that if I walked back a few blocks I would arrive where I was meant to be. Gert had another meeting and I was only free for a short time ... I went home.
It turned out she was wrong. I'm going back there today, let's see how it goes.
Sometimes, I feel just like Alice must have felt when she found herself down the rabbit hole ... hmmm, and I do believe I've found a nice place to hang out on the cold rainy days. Now to tell Gert ...
Erin posted and it's too delicious not to pass on ...
And travelling is also a way of creating, because you retain all that you see and all that you hear, in the memory and in the retina, in order to later try to interpret it, as if you were an artist, a painter facing the palette, facing the faces and the shapes, a musician open to sound, to voices and rhythms, and perhaps in the end, a poet. Travel converts us into free beings; allows us to see ourselves paused in time while the world runs along beside us.
Javier Reverte
Gracias Erin.
And travelling is also a way of creating, because you retain all that you see and all that you hear, in the memory and in the retina, in order to later try to interpret it, as if you were an artist, a painter facing the palette, facing the faces and the shapes, a musician open to sound, to voices and rhythms, and perhaps in the end, a poet. Travel converts us into free beings; allows us to see ourselves paused in time while the world runs along beside us.
Javier Reverte
Gracias Erin.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Persian Chicken
Carolien commented on the Persian Chicken recipe, here it is:
2 large onions, 1 cup water, 1cup red wine, 2 teaspoons chicken stock powder, 1 teaspoon curry powder, 1 tablespoon tomato puree, 1 kg cooked chicken meat, 250g small button mushrooms, 3 spring onions, 1 cup green or black grapes, 400g can apricots drained and sliced (optional), 1/2cup coarsely chopped parsley, 1/2cup prepared mayonnaise, 1 cup lightly whipped cream.
Still with me ...?
You roughly chop the onions and place them in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or fry pan.
Add the water, wine, chicken stock powder, curry powder and tomato puree.
Simmer for 30 minutes until liquid has been reduced and the mixture has a chutney-like appearance. Stir frequently during cooking time.
Add the diced chicken, the washed whole mushrooms (I slice and lightly pre-cook the mushrooms), spring onions, grapes and apricots.
Cook for about 5 minutes to warm the chicken through and then fold in the parsley, mayonnaise and cream.
Serve immediately with something like rice, noodles or a crispy salad.
Shannon, it's for you too.
2 large onions, 1 cup water, 1cup red wine, 2 teaspoons chicken stock powder, 1 teaspoon curry powder, 1 tablespoon tomato puree, 1 kg cooked chicken meat, 250g small button mushrooms, 3 spring onions, 1 cup green or black grapes, 400g can apricots drained and sliced (optional), 1/2cup coarsely chopped parsley, 1/2cup prepared mayonnaise, 1 cup lightly whipped cream.
Still with me ...?
You roughly chop the onions and place them in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or fry pan.
Add the water, wine, chicken stock powder, curry powder and tomato puree.
Simmer for 30 minutes until liquid has been reduced and the mixture has a chutney-like appearance. Stir frequently during cooking time.
Add the diced chicken, the washed whole mushrooms (I slice and lightly pre-cook the mushrooms), spring onions, grapes and apricots.
Cook for about 5 minutes to warm the chicken through and then fold in the parsley, mayonnaise and cream.
Serve immediately with something like rice, noodles or a crispy salad.
Shannon, it's for you too.
Excellent news ... John Bolton Resigns from the UN
The Washington Post is running the story that John Bolton has resigned from his temporary UN appointment.
Unable to win Senate confirmation, U.N. Ambassador John Bolton will step down when his temporary appointment expires within weeks, the White House said Monday.
Bolton's nomination has languished in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for more than a year, blocked by Democrats and several Republicans. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, a moderate Republican who lost in the midterm elections Nov. 7 that swept Democrats to power in both houses of Congress, was adamantly opposed to Bolton.
Unable to win Senate confirmation, U.N. Ambassador John Bolton will step down when his temporary appointment expires within weeks, the White House said Monday.
Bolton's nomination has languished in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for more than a year, blocked by Democrats and several Republicans. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, a moderate Republican who lost in the midterm elections Nov. 7 that swept Democrats to power in both houses of Congress, was adamantly opposed to Bolton.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
A Saturday Night surprise ...
Gert and I were watching a BBC drama last night when my phone rang ... a lovely friend, who shall remain anonymous, was calling.
She said, 'What number are you?'
I told her.
I see it, she said.
Laughing I said, 'Are you here for the party?'
Yes, we are.
Giggling I had to tell her, 'That would be the party that's next week ...?'
She said something along the lines of 'Noooooooooo!'
Still laughing I told her to come up, leaving Gert to open the doors while I ran to change out of my 'around-home-only-trousers'.
And so it was that our lovely New Zealand-friend-living-in-Brussels arrived, Australian sparkling wine in hand and her delightful English friend in tow.
Greetings and laughter exchanged, the wine was opened and we had a little Saturday company.
It turned out we were lucky she made the mistake ... she flies out to New Zealand next week, one day before the party. Meanwhile she has offered to bring me something from home and like a kid in a sweet shop, I've been thinking and thinking about what I would most love ... it will come to me.
She said, 'What number are you?'
I told her.
I see it, she said.
Laughing I said, 'Are you here for the party?'
Yes, we are.
Giggling I had to tell her, 'That would be the party that's next week ...?'
She said something along the lines of 'Noooooooooo!'
Still laughing I told her to come up, leaving Gert to open the doors while I ran to change out of my 'around-home-only-trousers'.
And so it was that our lovely New Zealand-friend-living-in-Brussels arrived, Australian sparkling wine in hand and her delightful English friend in tow.
Greetings and laughter exchanged, the wine was opened and we had a little Saturday company.
It turned out we were lucky she made the mistake ... she flies out to New Zealand next week, one day before the party. Meanwhile she has offered to bring me something from home and like a kid in a sweet shop, I've been thinking and thinking about what I would most love ... it will come to me.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Last night's Persian Chicken was one of the best that I've ever cooked ... as a follow-up to my post about cooking last night.
This morning was all about photography and lovely people. Afterwards Gert and I drove over to Antwerpen's Ikea. We were looking for all kinds of things.
Sinterklaas comes to the children of Belgie on 6 December but tomorrow we're all off to Gert's parents so the kids can pick up their gifts from bomma and bompi (nana and grandad back in my world) and Gert has decided to give his kids their Sinterklaas gifts in the morning.
We were searching for zitzakken ... beanbags of course. Ikea had none but they had other things that we 'needed' and we walked away smiling, having finally bought frames so we can enlarge and hang some of my photography up on our walls.
We drove all over the city, locating the zitzakken at 4pm and they're here in the lounge waiting for morning.
It's so strange for me to be celebrating Christmas as we descend into winter ... it's not really real to me. Let's see how we do, as we have magnificent plans for our Christmas period.
This morning was all about photography and lovely people. Afterwards Gert and I drove over to Antwerpen's Ikea. We were looking for all kinds of things.
Sinterklaas comes to the children of Belgie on 6 December but tomorrow we're all off to Gert's parents so the kids can pick up their gifts from bomma and bompi (nana and grandad back in my world) and Gert has decided to give his kids their Sinterklaas gifts in the morning.
We were searching for zitzakken ... beanbags of course. Ikea had none but they had other things that we 'needed' and we walked away smiling, having finally bought frames so we can enlarge and hang some of my photography up on our walls.
We drove all over the city, locating the zitzakken at 4pm and they're here in the lounge waiting for morning.
It's so strange for me to be celebrating Christmas as we descend into winter ... it's not really real to me. Let's see how we do, as we have magnificent plans for our Christmas period.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Persian Chicken in Antwerp tonight ...
Those who knew me in Istanbul will know what I'm talking about when I write that I'm whipping up Persian Chicken tonight ...
It was a meal, a stunning meal, that could be cooked on the stovetop. I had two homes in Istanbul, and the neither had ovens that worked ... and so it was that I became a stovetop and toaster chick ... oh, and take-out borek with red wine after the particularly bad day with 7F.
I haven't made Persian Chicken here yet ... Gert cooks.
He claims that he de-stresses from work during the process of cooking.
I can only respect this kind of claim, being the polite kiwi creature I am and being lazier than a lazy thing on occasions.
So it's good night from me as I disappear into the kitchen again ... I hope your week was a good one.
Tot ziens.
It was a meal, a stunning meal, that could be cooked on the stovetop. I had two homes in Istanbul, and the neither had ovens that worked ... and so it was that I became a stovetop and toaster chick ... oh, and take-out borek with red wine after the particularly bad day with 7F.
I haven't made Persian Chicken here yet ... Gert cooks.
He claims that he de-stresses from work during the process of cooking.
I can only respect this kind of claim, being the polite kiwi creature I am and being lazier than a lazy thing on occasions.
So it's good night from me as I disappear into the kitchen again ... I hope your week was a good one.
Tot ziens.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Web Diarists Are Challenging Censors
Der Spiegel are running a story that about equates with my idea of the only place where democracy actually has room to be ...
Authoritarian states like China, Iran and Egypt are having trouble dealing with the burgeoning number of critical online diaries. These blogs, which multiply by the second, expose news about incidents that many regimes would prefer to keep hushed up. In many countries, blogs are giving people their first real taste of democracy.
Authoritarian states like China, Iran and Egypt are having trouble dealing with the burgeoning number of critical online diaries. These blogs, which multiply by the second, expose news about incidents that many regimes would prefer to keep hushed up. In many countries, blogs are giving people their first real taste of democracy.
Vote for the 2006 Word of the Year
Merriam-Webster is an American publisher of language-related reference works and they're calling for submissions for the 2006 word of the year ...
They write: We're trying something a little different this year. Instead of reviewing millions of searches in the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary to find our most frequently looked-up words, we're asking you to submit your choice for the one single word that sums up 2006. Which one of the hundreds of words you've encountered this year do you think best represents the year now quickly drawing to a close? Maybe it's one you've seen again and again in the headlines of newspapers and magazines, or one that seems to be a particular favorite in the blogosphere, or maybe it's a word you've heard bandied about ad nauseam by various TV and radio pundits. No matter where you've seen or heard it, every word is eligible to take the top honors for 2006.
You can find out more here .
Thanks to David, at Public Address
They write: We're trying something a little different this year. Instead of reviewing millions of searches in the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary to find our most frequently looked-up words, we're asking you to submit your choice for the one single word that sums up 2006. Which one of the hundreds of words you've encountered this year do you think best represents the year now quickly drawing to a close? Maybe it's one you've seen again and again in the headlines of newspapers and magazines, or one that seems to be a particular favorite in the blogosphere, or maybe it's a word you've heard bandied about ad nauseam by various TV and radio pundits. No matter where you've seen or heard it, every word is eligible to take the top honors for 2006.
You can find out more here .
Thanks to David, at Public Address
Peter has an interesting post titled Is Microsoft Vista “Policeware"?
He begins: Although Microsoft will do its utmost to make you believe otherwise, its new VISTA operating system is actually disempowering the user. You no longer decide what can be done with your “Personal Computer”, VISTA (ie Microsoft) decides. Not convinced? Let me give you a couple of url’s to relevant articles.
He begins: Although Microsoft will do its utmost to make you believe otherwise, its new VISTA operating system is actually disempowering the user. You no longer decide what can be done with your “Personal Computer”, VISTA (ie Microsoft) decides. Not convinced? Let me give you a couple of url’s to relevant articles.
Orhan Pamuk, Writer
You can skip this if you like but I love reading of Orhan Pamuk and The New York Times has a lovely article on him here .
I like what he has to say about his life, lived inside and out of his beloved Istanbul ... “As I waver back and forth,” he wrote in his memoir, “sometimes seeing the city from within and sometimes from without, I feel as I do when I am wandering the streets, caught in a stream of slippery contradictory thoughts, not quite belonging to this place and not quite a stranger.”
Thank you Erkan .
I like what he has to say about his life, lived inside and out of his beloved Istanbul ... “As I waver back and forth,” he wrote in his memoir, “sometimes seeing the city from within and sometimes from without, I feel as I do when I am wandering the streets, caught in a stream of slippery contradictory thoughts, not quite belonging to this place and not quite a stranger.”
Thank you Erkan .
Pulitzer Prize and Blogs
As usual, Erkan is posting interesting things ...
He linked to Bloggers Blog.com where you can find the latest news on the Pulitzer Prize and bloggers.
New guidelines for the prestigious Pulitzer Prizes allow the submission of a blogs. A press release from the Pulitzer Board discusses the widening of the range of online journalims to include blogs and other online content.
The purpose of the new category is to encourage and honor exemplary local journalism, marked by strong reporting across a spectrum of potential subjects. "The Pulitzer Prizes have long valued such reporting," Gissler said, "but this makes our interest much more explicit."
While the local category replaces the Beat Reporting category that was created in 1991, the work of beat reporters remains eligible for entry in a wide range of categories that include-depending on the specialty involved-national, investigative, and explanatory reporting, as well as the new local category.
With its new rules for online submissions, the Pulitzer Board will require each online element to be a single, discretely designated presentation, such as a database, blog, interactive graphic, slide show, or video presentation. Each designated element will count as one item in the total number of items, print or online, that are permitted in an entry.
The 'How to Submit a Entry' PDF File can be found here
He linked to Bloggers Blog.com where you can find the latest news on the Pulitzer Prize and bloggers.
New guidelines for the prestigious Pulitzer Prizes allow the submission of a blogs. A press release from the Pulitzer Board discusses the widening of the range of online journalims to include blogs and other online content.
The purpose of the new category is to encourage and honor exemplary local journalism, marked by strong reporting across a spectrum of potential subjects. "The Pulitzer Prizes have long valued such reporting," Gissler said, "but this makes our interest much more explicit."
While the local category replaces the Beat Reporting category that was created in 1991, the work of beat reporters remains eligible for entry in a wide range of categories that include-depending on the specialty involved-national, investigative, and explanatory reporting, as well as the new local category.
With its new rules for online submissions, the Pulitzer Board will require each online element to be a single, discretely designated presentation, such as a database, blog, interactive graphic, slide show, or video presentation. Each designated element will count as one item in the total number of items, print or online, that are permitted in an entry.
The 'How to Submit a Entry' PDF File can be found here
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Dental Visit 3, Belgie
The numbing injection is taking so long to wear off and I'm not meant to eat until I can feel my mouth again ... I'm starving, and so ends another dental appointment.
It was better this time, no root canal but worse because she realised that a crack in the tooth next to the one she was working on was causing the pain. Needless to say, I have to go back next week.
She told me an interesting thing ... those black fillings I had put in over the years have a tendency to expand with hot drinks and food, causing cracks in the teeth and it was this that contributed to me losing points on 3 different teeth over the last couple of years.
It is exacerbated by the fact that I grind my teeth while I sleep but mmmm, all the best people do ... she hopes to repair the tooth crack she discovered today, before it snaps off and then there's the final known snapped point to work on on the other side of my mouth.
It's lovely to have found a dentist I trust but still ...
It was better this time, no root canal but worse because she realised that a crack in the tooth next to the one she was working on was causing the pain. Needless to say, I have to go back next week.
She told me an interesting thing ... those black fillings I had put in over the years have a tendency to expand with hot drinks and food, causing cracks in the teeth and it was this that contributed to me losing points on 3 different teeth over the last couple of years.
It is exacerbated by the fact that I grind my teeth while I sleep but mmmm, all the best people do ... she hopes to repair the tooth crack she discovered today, before it snaps off and then there's the final known snapped point to work on on the other side of my mouth.
It's lovely to have found a dentist I trust but still ...
Istanbul Wanderer
I was going through some of the Istanbul images I had stored on cd and found this one.
My Australian friend and I spent the day wandering through the streets of Istanbul - she was saying goodbye to the city that had been her home for awhile and I was saying bye to her.
It was a magical day in terms of results ... I took some of my best photographs in the city that day.
We stopped for a coffee in Taksim ...
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Signandsight.com - Let's talk European
I enjoy the online version of Der Spiegel but today they led me to a new online news source called signandsight.com
Signandsight offers an informative view of cultural and intellectual life in Germany. In Today's Feuilletons summarises the highlights of the cultural pages of the major German language newspapers.
The magazine roundup seems interesting and it's only a small selection of what is on offer there: Merkur testifies to the eccentricity of Europeans. In L'Espresso, Umberto Eco reads the Koran and Tertullian. The Weltwoche interviews Ahmed Scheikh of Al Jazeera. In Figaro, Alain Finkielkraut protects Robert Redeker from his "Yes, but..." defenders. The TLS is fed up with political moral apostles and writings from the new politics of values. The British are buying Bulgaria, says Przekroj. And Nepszabadsag longs for capitalism with a human face.
Signandsight offers an informative view of cultural and intellectual life in Germany. In Today's Feuilletons summarises the highlights of the cultural pages of the major German language newspapers.
The magazine roundup seems interesting and it's only a small selection of what is on offer there: Merkur testifies to the eccentricity of Europeans. In L'Espresso, Umberto Eco reads the Koran and Tertullian. The Weltwoche interviews Ahmed Scheikh of Al Jazeera. In Figaro, Alain Finkielkraut protects Robert Redeker from his "Yes, but..." defenders. The TLS is fed up with political moral apostles and writings from the new politics of values. The British are buying Bulgaria, says Przekroj. And Nepszabadsag longs for capitalism with a human face.
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