Sunday, May 30, 2010
"The White Tiger" gives you a hunger for life, actually a "Halwai- sweet tooth"
I've been reading "The White Tiger"... and it's coming to an end. It's brilliantly written by Aravind Adiga... I'll post a link to his web page, but anyways I have enjoyed very much his style of writing. His story starts with a man that comes from "The Darkness", a mystical place drawn up by those who pertain to the poor and discluded parts of India. The caste system being held so strongly had shut out these people from the light in a country that has influenced so many dwellers to create, morph their minds and bodies into "gumby" positions in yoga... why shut these people in "The Darkness?"
Caste systems held such an importantance to divide the rich from the poor, and even categorize the poor from the poor... Each last name had a meaning that pertained to their "caste." The story talks about a young man, who as a boy wasn't even given a name... he was "boy"... these are words, words with intrinsic value, but in Dehli in those days, a title was given to eveyone, the last name said it all, top of the list, or bottom. This boy was later called Balrham, and his desitny was suppoosed to be "Maker of sweets"... his last name was "Halwai." What a beautiful destiny... however his family was trapped in "The Darkness"... even the sweetest of names couldn't save you from this path... unless you were an "entrepreneur...
So the tale spun around Balrham, a gifted man who discovers his passion fopr "eavsdropping"... has given him a free education, and a chance to escape "The Darkness." While cleaning up the tea-shops, he would listen in to political convos, instead of being a "spider" (Adiga draws an extraordinary pictures of the movents of the Indian worker in a tea-shop, spiderly movents with a rag i one hang...) The stroy unfolds in the lightness of Dehli, and proves to us how no matter where we come from we all create our destiny. I think it's interseting the significance of a "last name"... as Juliet Capulet once said, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet". Romeo and Juliet ( Quote Act II, Sc. II). Here in Italy, more so in these small towns... the family tree has blossomed in many directions, and yet the last name still holds a great amount of repect and history.
For the people of these small towns, and for those scattered across this great world, a "cugo'!" "Cousin!" in dialect referres to one who has stayed in their destiny's path, and perhaps created a legacy for their family... and their unchangeble "last name." There are so many people DYING to get married, and change their name, or become famous and have some kind of alter ego, and change their name. But the people who have the up-most repect for themselves and who don't want to be someone they're not... will keep their name, and maybe just tweek their destiny.
Caste systems held such an importantance to divide the rich from the poor, and even categorize the poor from the poor... Each last name had a meaning that pertained to their "caste." The story talks about a young man, who as a boy wasn't even given a name... he was "boy"... these are words, words with intrinsic value, but in Dehli in those days, a title was given to eveyone, the last name said it all, top of the list, or bottom. This boy was later called Balrham, and his desitny was suppoosed to be "Maker of sweets"... his last name was "Halwai." What a beautiful destiny... however his family was trapped in "The Darkness"... even the sweetest of names couldn't save you from this path... unless you were an "entrepreneur...
So the tale spun around Balrham, a gifted man who discovers his passion fopr "eavsdropping"... has given him a free education, and a chance to escape "The Darkness." While cleaning up the tea-shops, he would listen in to political convos, instead of being a "spider" (Adiga draws an extraordinary pictures of the movents of the Indian worker in a tea-shop, spiderly movents with a rag i one hang...) The stroy unfolds in the lightness of Dehli, and proves to us how no matter where we come from we all create our destiny. I think it's interseting the significance of a "last name"... as Juliet Capulet once said, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet". Romeo and Juliet ( Quote Act II, Sc. II). Here in Italy, more so in these small towns... the family tree has blossomed in many directions, and yet the last name still holds a great amount of repect and history.
For the people of these small towns, and for those scattered across this great world, a "cugo'!" "Cousin!" in dialect referres to one who has stayed in their destiny's path, and perhaps created a legacy for their family... and their unchangeble "last name." There are so many people DYING to get married, and change their name, or become famous and have some kind of alter ego, and change their name. But the people who have the up-most repect for themselves and who don't want to be someone they're not... will keep their name, and maybe just tweek their destiny.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Jazz... pure jazz...
Being that I'm from Chaicgo, I have a very soft spot for Jazz. Jazz, Blues, those are my city's backround music, these terminologys for music is essential, but let's face it these classify as music with soul, with a spirit that makes one wonder...
Wonder is growth, it's transcending, and translucent. I feel an energy when I listen to jazzy that is calimg yet invigorating. It has an energy that is beyond me... and I wonder. I have extraordinary visuals when I listen to jazz, one is a memeory from when I was a small child. During the Christmas holidays, my father would take us all to Marshel Fields, now-a-days-Macy's... It was/is located in the Watertower, a landmark of Chicago, and as I entered this lovely departmant store, with the crisp snow falling outside, I would become intoxicated by the sweet aroma of jazz burning through the speakers. It was a insanley fresh new sound for me. When I was little I was very lucky to be raised in a family that appreciated good musci. My lullabys were the Beatles, and Led Zeppelin, Yes, Pink Floyd, etc. I always associate creativity with the kind of music one listens to.
Music is the soundtrack of our lives, so for me dancing around a department store in my favorite dress, and feeling a note that had so much passion... children are like sponges, we absorb and grow.
I once took a Socialogy class in college. I didn't know what to expect, I never wanted to become a "socialist" or anything, but thank goodness I had an extremley bright aand charismatic, not to mention, Italian-American teacher, Mario Reda. Anyways, one of his lessons stood out so poiniently, because it was so relatable... and to me that's what socialogy is, relating to one another... heck contributing and getting along in this world... wonder.
Back to his lesson, it was a description of histroy and the changes of our society, American society. The Great Drepression left it's mark, but the after-affect also made some lasting impressions. When people began to take control of their income again, and wanted to grasp more "value" for their valubles, I believe maybe people wanted to have more respect, and more joy in their spendings. So, in Chicago for expample, the department stores, Marshel Fields, Carson Pierri Scott, Sears, etc, wanted theire guests, their, "shoppers" to have an enjoyable experience, money was looked at as a luxury, and those who had it, or whom were begining to have it wanted to spend it with style. The stores had an over-all socialistic-makeover, and decided to have imperial decorations, and a grand piano, with a pianist that would play light-up-beat music... jazz.
When I think of thes aristocrats perusing the soft fabric, delicatley touching the merchandise with their fingertips tapping along to a crooning Dizzy, or Louis, or Ella... I am sure these people felt as I did as a little girl. A joyful experience, spending wise money, in a wise place, appreciating our social connection to eachother. Enjoy your day, and enjoy the sound-track of your life.
Good Day.
Wonder is growth, it's transcending, and translucent. I feel an energy when I listen to jazzy that is calimg yet invigorating. It has an energy that is beyond me... and I wonder. I have extraordinary visuals when I listen to jazz, one is a memeory from when I was a small child. During the Christmas holidays, my father would take us all to Marshel Fields, now-a-days-Macy's... It was/is located in the Watertower, a landmark of Chicago, and as I entered this lovely departmant store, with the crisp snow falling outside, I would become intoxicated by the sweet aroma of jazz burning through the speakers. It was a insanley fresh new sound for me. When I was little I was very lucky to be raised in a family that appreciated good musci. My lullabys were the Beatles, and Led Zeppelin, Yes, Pink Floyd, etc. I always associate creativity with the kind of music one listens to.
Music is the soundtrack of our lives, so for me dancing around a department store in my favorite dress, and feeling a note that had so much passion... children are like sponges, we absorb and grow.
I once took a Socialogy class in college. I didn't know what to expect, I never wanted to become a "socialist" or anything, but thank goodness I had an extremley bright aand charismatic, not to mention, Italian-American teacher, Mario Reda. Anyways, one of his lessons stood out so poiniently, because it was so relatable... and to me that's what socialogy is, relating to one another... heck contributing and getting along in this world... wonder.
Back to his lesson, it was a description of histroy and the changes of our society, American society. The Great Drepression left it's mark, but the after-affect also made some lasting impressions. When people began to take control of their income again, and wanted to grasp more "value" for their valubles, I believe maybe people wanted to have more respect, and more joy in their spendings. So, in Chicago for expample, the department stores, Marshel Fields, Carson Pierri Scott, Sears, etc, wanted theire guests, their, "shoppers" to have an enjoyable experience, money was looked at as a luxury, and those who had it, or whom were begining to have it wanted to spend it with style. The stores had an over-all socialistic-makeover, and decided to have imperial decorations, and a grand piano, with a pianist that would play light-up-beat music... jazz.
When I think of thes aristocrats perusing the soft fabric, delicatley touching the merchandise with their fingertips tapping along to a crooning Dizzy, or Louis, or Ella... I am sure these people felt as I did as a little girl. A joyful experience, spending wise money, in a wise place, appreciating our social connection to eachother. Enjoy your day, and enjoy the sound-track of your life.
Good Day.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The Raw Life: Anthony Bourdain
The Raw Life: Anthony Bourdain
..... um, I hope somone and went to see him... I'm still waiting for Anthony to make an appearance in the Cinque Terre!!!
To answer your question Oscar... Dad,
I would first take him to Il Casello Ristorante/Bar, Monterosso al Mare, because, being in the "old Town" of Monterosso, it is a national land-mark beicause it was the "old" train-station, with the open panoramic view of the Mediterranian Sea, it is only there that one can appreciate the textures, aromas, and freshness of the food from Liguria.
Every plate is complimented by the famouse Cinque Terre D.O.C white wine, or Monterosso's "boutique" wine- Begasti... but there are many wines on the menu for you adventurus winos.
I would serve Anthony Bourdain:
Antipasto- Muscoli e Acciughe ripiene (Stuffed Mussels and Anchovies)
Primo- Trofie al frutto di Mare (Fresh little squilgly pasta with seafood and fresh cherry-tomatos for color)
Primo- Trofie al Pesto (same fresh pasta with pesto- a typical ligurian basil paste home-made by Il Casello's Chef Beppe.)
Secondo- Filetto di Pecse (Fresh Fish Fillet... the chef hand pick and clean all Branzini, or Orata as soon as the local fishman bring them in the afternoon, it is served with seasoned potatos and cherry tomatos.)
Secondo- Fritto Misto (Fried Mix, or Calamarie, Anchovie fried heaven!!!)
Dolce- Home-made tiramisù
cafe e limoncello (a local dessert lemon digestive drink)
Check Please!... Anthony, we're waiting for you, and so is a gorgeous Cinque Terre sunset.
..... um, I hope somone and went to see him... I'm still waiting for Anthony to make an appearance in the Cinque Terre!!!
To answer your question Oscar... Dad,
I would first take him to Il Casello Ristorante/Bar, Monterosso al Mare, because, being in the "old Town" of Monterosso, it is a national land-mark beicause it was the "old" train-station, with the open panoramic view of the Mediterranian Sea, it is only there that one can appreciate the textures, aromas, and freshness of the food from Liguria.
Every plate is complimented by the famouse Cinque Terre D.O.C white wine, or Monterosso's "boutique" wine- Begasti... but there are many wines on the menu for you adventurus winos.
I would serve Anthony Bourdain:
Antipasto- Muscoli e Acciughe ripiene (Stuffed Mussels and Anchovies)
Primo- Trofie al frutto di Mare (Fresh little squilgly pasta with seafood and fresh cherry-tomatos for color)
Primo- Trofie al Pesto (same fresh pasta with pesto- a typical ligurian basil paste home-made by Il Casello's Chef Beppe.)
Secondo- Filetto di Pecse (Fresh Fish Fillet... the chef hand pick and clean all Branzini, or Orata as soon as the local fishman bring them in the afternoon, it is served with seasoned potatos and cherry tomatos.)
Secondo- Fritto Misto (Fried Mix, or Calamarie, Anchovie fried heaven!!!)
Dolce- Home-made tiramisù
cafe e limoncello (a local dessert lemon digestive drink)
Check Please!... Anthony, we're waiting for you, and so is a gorgeous Cinque Terre sunset.
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