Prince to do 21 concerts in London, then study the Bible.
At some point I'll write my definitive Prince music review... Most fans probably look to 1999 and Purple Rain as his best work. However, his best, most musically creative period was 1992-1995, beginning when he shed his name to become "the artist formally known as..." and extending to Gold Experience. Emancipation had its moments, but essentially marked the swan song of a blessed period.
All that said, I haven't heard 3121... although Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic sucked and sucked hard.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Silence (4 & 5 of 10)
SILENCE (4 of 10)
On this morning somehow
even footsteps make no sound—
dew laden chill—
my breath seems like dragon’s breath—
even the woodpecker is still.
SILENCE (5 of 10)
in meditation we learn
that the mind races—
often away from that
which it doesn’t want to see.
Excuse this shyness—
perhaps in a minute I will laugh again—
but I want to think about this daydream,
a fantasy of you and me
and bliss.
On this morning somehow
even footsteps make no sound—
dew laden chill—
my breath seems like dragon’s breath—
even the woodpecker is still.
SILENCE (5 of 10)
in meditation we learn
that the mind races—
often away from that
which it doesn’t want to see.
Excuse this shyness—
perhaps in a minute I will laugh again—
but I want to think about this daydream,
a fantasy of you and me
and bliss.
Monday, May 7, 2007
comments
I would like to believe that I made a few good observations on this thread by Nancy Nall about Lilek.
More Banksy
Earlier I recommded Banksy's latest book, Wall and Peace. Curiously enough, he's profiled, in a way*, in the latest New Yorker. You can read the article online.
*Inasmuch as someone who is famous yet wants to remain completely anonymous can be profiled that is.
You can also see more of Banksy's work on Flickr.
*Inasmuch as someone who is famous yet wants to remain completely anonymous can be profiled that is.
You can also see more of Banksy's work on Flickr.
Gordon Coale recommends...
two important books of American color photography. Read his recommendation here.
babel
Joseph Duemer's poem Power stirs with brutality.
Four poems by Huang Xiang.
Two poems by J. D. Smith.
There is more interesting stuff at babel, an online magazine (that could use a redesign).
Four poems by Huang Xiang.
Two poems by J. D. Smith.
There is more interesting stuff at babel, an online magazine (that could use a redesign).
Silence (3 of 10)
Each time we talk,
which is rare, thankfully rare,
my heart breaks
with the grief of ending our affair—
my last words to you should have been flowers—
but instead, an occasional storm—
it rumbles, shaking me—
and moves on.
which is rare, thankfully rare,
my heart breaks
with the grief of ending our affair—
my last words to you should have been flowers—
but instead, an occasional storm—
it rumbles, shaking me—
and moves on.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Paintings by Xul Solar
Xul Solar (1887-1963) was an Argentine painter, sculptor, writer, and inventor; a visionary utopian; an occultist and astrologer who yet remained catholic; an accomplished musician who was fluent in seven languages, two of which were of his own devising; and a minor character in Borges’s Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius. The following images are scans from the catalogue Xul Solar: Visiones y revelaciones, which was published in 2005 to coincide with a major exhibition of his work, staged in Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Mexico City and Houston.(via Barista)
the language of politics
Pollster.com has tag clouds for last night's Republican debate and last week's Democratic debate. Its worth noting the striking differences in the use of language. (via Daily Kos)
Without having seen the debates, I can say with confidence that Biden, Dodd, and Gravel were too wordy, Edwards was populist, and Obama spoke a completely different language. Also, based on language it looks as if Romney and McCain went for flag waving populism, although McCain, being a Senator, did fret a bit about political process.
Without having seen the debates, I can say with confidence that Biden, Dodd, and Gravel were too wordy, Edwards was populist, and Obama spoke a completely different language. Also, based on language it looks as if Romney and McCain went for flag waving populism, although McCain, being a Senator, did fret a bit about political process.
Silence (2 of 10)
I look at you. Perhaps I look away.
There are reasons for my actions
for this silence,
reasons which I do not want to explain.
Read into this—into this pain—
what you will.
There is love there,
reticent,
but present just the same.
There are reasons for my actions
for this silence,
reasons which I do not want to explain.
Read into this—into this pain—
what you will.
There is love there,
reticent,
but present just the same.
Wang tang evo-devo
Quite long, not easily encapsulated, but fascinating: Dr. Nick Matzke Kevin Padian's Dover testimony on macroevolution. (via Pharyngula)
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Wine recommendations
Seghesio Arneis 2004. A complex delightful white, full of body, surprisingly good.
Ponzi Tavola Pinot Noir 2005. Young and watery, but full of flavor. A quality wine, depending on price.
Rodney Strong Sonoma Country Chardonnay 2005. Not exceptional but pure. A well-crafted delight.
Obviously I'm not a pro at writing wine reviews--writing about food and drink is akin to singing about smelling or dancing about writing. The comparitors that wine reviews often use (hints of oak and maple complement this melon-raspberry palate with an asphault bouquet) often seem akin to hieroglyphics. If I recommend a wine, it means just that I find it enjoyable and drinkable, and you might too.
Ponzi Tavola Pinot Noir 2005. Young and watery, but full of flavor. A quality wine, depending on price.
Rodney Strong Sonoma Country Chardonnay 2005. Not exceptional but pure. A well-crafted delight.
Obviously I'm not a pro at writing wine reviews--writing about food and drink is akin to singing about smelling or dancing about writing. The comparitors that wine reviews often use (hints of oak and maple complement this melon-raspberry palate with an asphault bouquet) often seem akin to hieroglyphics. If I recommend a wine, it means just that I find it enjoyable and drinkable, and you might too.
Looking for Republican heroes
Drum says the less said about Hoover the better. I disagree.
The more said about Hoover the better--Hoover was a smart man blinded by ideology and incapable of confronting the misery that was becoming wide-spread in America. He was a big believer in small government, laissez-faire capitalism, and private charities. Surely, I couldn't have been the only one who saw the ghost of Hoover in Bush Sr's 'thousand points of light' campaign?
There was a reason why Hoover and the Republican party were so thoroughly trounced: they were completely out of touch with the needs, hopes, and dreams of ordinary americans... and when crisis struck, the emperor and his court were without clothes.
The more said about Hoover the better--Hoover was a smart man blinded by ideology and incapable of confronting the misery that was becoming wide-spread in America. He was a big believer in small government, laissez-faire capitalism, and private charities. Surely, I couldn't have been the only one who saw the ghost of Hoover in Bush Sr's 'thousand points of light' campaign?
There was a reason why Hoover and the Republican party were so thoroughly trounced: they were completely out of touch with the needs, hopes, and dreams of ordinary americans... and when crisis struck, the emperor and his court were without clothes.
Alec Soth's Niagara
Alec Soth's Niagara. (A few more from the project, put aside as being too nihilistic.)
Peter Ciccariello's two photo-blogs: Uncommon Vision and Invisible Notes (via wood s lot)
Peter Ciccariello's two photo-blogs: Uncommon Vision and Invisible Notes (via wood s lot)
an old theme
Silence, a series of ten little poems, the first of which is below, is new (the ink is still writhing and wet). This poem is, by comparison, old, written almost ten years ago. It is a different approach to the same theme, from a period in which I spent a great deal of time thinking about how music is made.
AN OLD THEME
The jazz trumpeter—an old theme,
so bear with me on this one
because, truly,
not every poet has paid homage
to davis, gillespie, et al. . .—
signifies the eloquence of silence
by continuing to play
after the piece is at an end
by continuing to blow
by producing
an absence of sound.
AN OLD THEME
The jazz trumpeter—an old theme,
so bear with me on this one
because, truly,
not every poet has paid homage
to davis, gillespie, et al. . .—
signifies the eloquence of silence
by continuing to play
after the piece is at an end
by continuing to blow
by producing
an absence of sound.
Quote of the day.
You know- I stop worrying about someone's struggle in this cruel and unjust world after they've made their first billion dollars. Is that wrong of me?--Christian Burnham (scroll down)
American deserters in Canada
Canada isn't as independent as many would believe.
The incidents have sparked allegations that Canadian law enforcement has been collaborating with U.S. officials to help track down American soldiers who have fled to Canada. Some critics, including a left-leaning member of Parliament who represents Nelson, say they believe it is a campaign of intimidation.
[...]
Ever since the Vietnam War, many Americans have viewed Canada as a liberal oasis, ready to welcome those who no longer want to take part in Uncle Sam's wars. But the reality is more complicated these days, especially with the conservative Harper government in power since 2006. Although the Canadian people are still largely welcoming, some war resisters say they have faced hostility here. And all of them who are seeking refugee status to remain in the country face complex legal obstacles, according to experts on Canada's refugee laws. Meanwhile, the alleged cooperation between Canadian and U.S. law enforcement authorities to track them down raises thorny legal questions of its own.
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