This is the land

This is the land where I was born – This is the land of the ancestors.

This is the land where the humans challenged their fate.

This is the land where ancient gods left evidence of their stay:

Mars and Thetis took side in the wars,

Juno and Venus sparked intrigues and passions,

Sybille and Oracles predicted the future,

This is the land of heroes from different latitudes:

Hercules and his white lion fighting the Giants,

Ulysses sailing back to Ithaca in his long odyssey,

Aeneas fleeing from the destruction of Troy,

Setting the roots of Rome.

This is the land of shepherds who became warriors

And brave soldiers who instituted the law.

This is the land where “lemon-trees blossom

and the sun darts shine through in every season” (Goethe).

Here the fire blows from the mountains

and the wine flows in the fountains.

This is the land where marble vibrates in its physical beauty,

and colors and sounds are trapped in a marvelous symphony.

Here come the poets, here come the pilgrims;

humans and gods often strolling around,

to explore the sites of the human adventure.

This is my land – this can be your land.

Treat yourself for a day,allow yourself to be free:

Let’s wander around for a rewarding discovery!

Giovanni Napolitano

e Grande Hotel, com Greta Garbo, às 23h45.

__________________***

Créditos:

Texto extraído do Jornal Folha de Londrina, edição de Sexta-feira, 29 de agosto de 2008.

Não percam! ;)

Bom final de semana para todos vocês!

First off, I'll finally have a chance to make French Onion Soup from The Epicurean this weekend. Looking forward to that. Also, it turns out Monsieur Daudet was quite the loyal monarchist. He had beef with all the revolutionaries and called for the reinstatement of the King of France.

Today's find is from Dickens. It's Volume 21 of his complete works, printed right before the start of the 20th Century. 

The book smelled old and dry and was very brittle. Come visit it before it's sent into retirement.

I've just recently ended my examinations, and so far I'm quite pleased with my results. After a one week break, I'll be heading back to school and I'll receive my marks for Chinese and Higher Chinese, which are the only two that I haven't yet found out. Still, I am elated with English, Math and surprisingly, Science; though, Science this time round was rather easy.

I've been lending Harry Potter to my friends, and I've got them successfully hooked, hook, line and sinker.

I am also trying to read literature books and classics, such as the Bronte sisters, Mark Twain, Moby Dick etc. I know I'm only supposed to read those when I'm in Secondary school and I'm still in Primary, but I really did like Tom Sawyer, and the way they wrote is very different from how people write nowadays. It's more refined, professional somehow.

This is going to be a rather short post, I reckon. I've got not much to say except on the subject of my examinations. And again, do check out the reviews page. :D

Anyway, go pay them a visit, browse the videos, and support the site!

If you liked Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, try Karen Maitland's Company of Liars (out 9/30).

If you long to go back to the Mississippi, Finn by John Clinch provides a new take on the characters of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Indulge your inner sixth-grader and go back to Neverland (well, kind of) with Tigerheart, a take on J.M. Barrie's, Peter Pan.

 If biographies are more your thing, check out Jane Austen, A Life; Shakespeare, A Biography; and The Bronte Myth.

And I can't resist... For the purists, I include The Annotated Pride and Prejudice, the first ever fully annotated edition of Jane Austen's beloved classic.

-Marie

Here is the first look at the Doughboy fitted. It is part of the Fall / Winter line that will be available soon. The inspiration for the hat comes from Ice Cubes character in the seminal ’90s flick Boyz N The Hood. It doesn't get much better then that movie. It is one of my favorites of all times. The hat will be available in 2 colorways, both are satin lined with a tonal paper plane argyle print. Want either one hit us at hoodiesmatter@hoodiesandgoodies.com

via bennygold.com

Many of us dream of our daughter's wedding day as we fantasized about our own. Whether or not life lives up to your expectations, there is one thing we have control over:  what we call our little princess.  Some may want a name that is easy to love and evokes romance and roses. Lara Helene's collection of wedding dresses is aptly named, and here are her impressions of style, romance, and fidelity.  And of course, what sells.  

Agree?  Disagree?  What would you call your designs?  Which would you choose for your offspring?  

Adriana

Alexandra

Alice

Alison

Anabelle

Ashley

Arden

Asil

Audrey

Aurora

Brigitte

Camilla

Carla

Carolina

Carrie

Chantal

Charlotte

Claudia

Clementina

Daniela

Daria

Diana

Elisa

Elizabeth

Ella

Elvis (Misplaced, I know)

Felisa

Genevieve

Georgina

Gigi

Hannah

Isabel

Jessica

Josephina

Juli

Katarina

Kathryn

Laura

Leila

Louisa

Margeaux

Mariah

Mariana

Maya

Melanie

Melody

Michaela

Mirabelle

Morgan

Natasha

Nicole

Paola

Penelope

Pia

Rachel

Renee

Rhea

Rose

Shira

Stephanie

Susanna

Victoria

Image Above:  From the Metropolitan Museum's "Anglomania", dress by Vivienne Westwood.

SAUL BASS was a legendry visual communicator of mid 20th century. He is remembered by his works on movie posters, titles and indentity design. In fact,he was the one who interduced animated motion picture title sequences to the world of cinema.

During his 40-year career he worked for some of Hollywood's greatest filmmakers including Alfred Hitchcock.Amongst his most famous title sequences are the animated paper cut-out of a heroin addict's arm for Preminger's The Man with the Golden Arm.The movie’s theme was the struggle of its hero - a jazz musician played by Frank Sinatra - to overcome his heroin addiction.

He chose not to show famous Frank Sintara's face insted he an Arm was shown which a strong symbol of addiction.That cut-out arm caused a sensation and Saul Bass reinvented the movie title as an art form

 He is also known for his simple and strong identity design. You may remember few of his identity designs as United Airlines, AT&T, Quaker, Bell Telephone, United way and Dixie, which are still some of the best-remembered, most iconic logos ever made.He also designed the poster for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

in remembrance of Saul Bass (1920-1996)

Unki zulfein unke chehre se hata sakta nahi
Dil ki betaabi kisi surat chupa sakta nahi
kitni dilkash hain mohabat ki jawaan majbooriya
Saamne manzil hain aur paav badha sakta nahi

Meri zindagi mein aate
To kuch aur baat hoti -2

Meri zindagi mein aate
To kuch aur baat hoti -2
Yeh naseeb jagmagaate
To kuch aur baat hoti-2

(Kai baar mil chuki
Yeh haseen haseen nighaaein) -2

Wohi bekrariya hain
Na mili khushi ki raahein
Mere dil se dil milaate
To kuch aur baat hoti-2

Meri zindagi mein aate
To kuch aur baat hoti -2

(Mujhe kya garaj kisi se
Hase phool ya sitaare)-2

Hain meri nazar mein pheeke
Yeh jawaan jawaan nazare
Agar aap muskuraate
To kuch aur baat hoti -2

Meri zindagi mein aate
To kuch aur baat hoti -2

(Yeh khushi rahe salaamat
Yunhi jashn ho suhana) -2

Jise sun rahi hain duniya
Mere dil ka hain tarana
Mere saath tum bhin gaate
To kuch aur baat hoti -2

Meri zindagi mein aate
To kuch aur baat hoti -2
Yeh naseeb jagmagaate
To kuch aur baat hoti-2

Movie - Kanyadaan(1969)
Singer - Mohammad Rafi
Artist - Shashi Kapoor, Asha Parekh

Since I have turned this blog into a petty, objective and annoying diary, I have decided to create a new category where I will post most of the books that I will be reading- so that I can be at least of some help for those who expirience enjoyment in reading. Some of them will come with a description that will be poured out of my own imagination. Thus, do not expect from me viewpoints that I do not have.

Les Miserables, is one of my favorite books. I have started reading it about four months ago, but because I had to return the book to the library at the end of the semester, I was coerced to fall into the terrible hands of Patience. I do recommend this book to those who in some way or another have experienced hardships in poverty or love. Except for a few chapter of history, of which I understood none, I was amazed by the wording used by Hugo. He is a master in writing the soul and heart on paper.

Here are some quotations that might be a bit controversial in their meaning. Through them I do hope that you will get some moonlight on your mind and understand the plot of the book.

-Woman is the right of man. - Hugo, in my opinion, expressed some views related to the feminist problems at that time. No matter how much you turn it, women are the bearer of children and by having the hardship of supporting two souls(her and that of a child), she forgets that gradually her freedom is lost to men.

-Behind the art of living on a little lies the art on living on nothing. -I have told this quotation to many people, but none of them understood its meaning. Please...imagine misery in its deadliest form. Are you from USA? Imagine that you have just one dollar a day to live by. Are you from Russia? Imagine that you have only one ruble? Are you from Moldova, Sweden, Romania and Germany? Imagine that you have just one monetary unit to survive on. Isn't it an art to live each day on that dollar, ruble, euro, unit...? Only miserable masters can procure that talent and live on it. And now imagine that I take from you the little you have. Isn't that a genius who survives on nothing then? Isn't this an art?

-If anything is frightful, if there be a reality which surpasses dreams; it is this: to live, to see the sun.

-Sometimes in the inexplicable hours, such as every heart has which loves, having reasons for sorrow only, yet feeling nevertheless a a thrill of joy he said to himself: It is her thoughts which come to me! Then he added, my thoughts reach her also perhaps? - How many times when you were a lover you felt that somehow you can reach her or him through your thoughts? I know. Neither me, nor most of you are in love. But when we were or will be, wouldn't that be a telepathic ecstasy?

-The infinite exists. it is there. If the infinite had no me, the me would be its limit; it would not be the infinite; in other words, it would not be. But it is. then it has a me. This me of the infinite is God! -It proves that Nietzsche is merely a copy-paster.

-The first proof of charity in a priest, and especially in a bishop, is poverty.

-We live in a sad society. Succeed; that is the advice which falls drop by drop, from the overhanging corruption.

-They confound the radiance of the starts of heaven with the radiations which a duck's foot leaves in the mud.

-Books are cold but sure friends.

-And then, oddly enough, the first symptom of true love in a young man is timidity, in a young woman, boldness. -No course in "Get a girl on a date" or books like "how to be successful with girls" teach you that.

-IS one less sick for not knowing the name of the disease?

-Youth, even in its sorrows, always has a brilliancy of its own.

- Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.

-When love has melted and mingles two beings, into an angelic and sacred unity, the secret of life is found for them; they are but the two terms of a single destiny; they are but the two wings of a single spirit. Love. Soar.

-The Earth is not without resemblance to a jail?

-They lived in that ravishing condition which might be called the dazzling of a soul by a soul.

-At that hour of love, an hour when passion is absolutely silent under the omnipotence of ecstasy, Marius, capable rather of visiting a public woman than of lifting Cosette's dress to the height of her ankles. - wonderful expression of my inner self. If by that minimal chance I actually become a husband, will I ever be faithful to her physically considering that I am Marius?

-Monsieur, you are handsome, your are beautiful, you are witty, you are not stupid in the least, your are much wiser than I, but I defy you with this word: I love you! Every time I had a declaration of love it resembled just parts of this, and I was not satisfied, as if a mournful spoiled girl of sixteen. But the parts combined-it is beauty.

-...and called to them with a laugh, you would have thought you saw a smile at the bottom of a rose.

-Nature divides living things into coming and the going.

I know that the things I have written here prove that the book is full of romanticism, but that Is because I have a keen eye for the things I don't understand. If you by any chance have read this book, I am simply devoured by curiosity to know what was it to you?

Chevrolet described cars equipped with the optional Rally Sport package as "a more glamorous version" of the Camaro. The RPO Z22 Rally Sport package cost Chevrolet dealers $81.35 and retailed for $105.35. In addition to or place of the standard equipment listed above for base Camaros, cars with the Rally Sport package also featured concealed headlights, a special full-width grille, small rectangular parking and directional signal lights mounted below the bumper instead of in the grille, an RS emblem on the center of the grille, small rectangular back-up lamps mounted below the rear bumper (both taillight segments had red lenses), an "RS" emblem on the round gas filler cap in the center of the rear body panel, bright lower body side moldings with black lower body finish under the molding, bright "Rally Sport" scripts on the upper front fenders behind the wheel openings, a bright roof drip molding on Sport Coupes and a bright belt line molding. The Rally Sport option could be added to any Camaro with any engine. The prices given immediately below are for base Camaros with the Rally Sport package added. To determine the cost of other model-options with Rally Sport equipment installed add the package price of $105.35 to the factory prices for the specific SS or Z/28 model.

Select your OEM Chevy Camaro Tail Light (LH Driver's side and RH Passenger's side):

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Model Body/Style Body Type Factory Shipping Production Number Number & Seating Price Weight Total

CAMARO RALLY SPORT - SERIES 23 - (L6)
23 37 2d coupe $2,670 Note 4/5

CAMARO RALLY SPORT - SERIES 23 - (L6)
23 67 2d convertible $2,907 Note 4/5

CAMARO RALLY SPORT - SERIES 24 - (V-8)
24 37 2d coupe $2,775 Note 4/5

CAMARO RALLY SPORT - SERIES 24 - (V-8)
24 67 2d convertible $3,013 Note 4/5

Note 4: Combined model-year production of all 1968 Camaros was 235,147. (See historical footnotes)
Note 5: Of the 235,147 cars built, 40,977 had the Rally Sport option.

CAMARO SS - SERIES 24 - V-8

The Rally Sport convertible, this one with a 327 V-S, had hidden headlights and a few other "classy" features.

Chevrolet boasted that the 1968 Camaro SS (Super Sport) was dedicated to the "fun crowd." The sales catalog said it was "a husky performer and looks it." Big engines, a beefed-up suspension and special equipment features made this model-option stand out. The prices of the RPO Z27 SS package varied according to engine. With the L48 V-8 the dealer paid $152 and got $210.65 at retail. With the L35 engine the dealer cost was $190 and the retail price was $263.30. With the L34 V-8 the dealer cost was $266 and the retail price was $368.65. The L78 version of the SS wholesaled for $361 and retailed for $500.30. The L78/L89 version with aluminum cylinder heads retailed for $868.95 (dealer cost unknown). In addition to, or in place of, all of the standard equipment listed above for base Camaros, the SS 350 package included the same special hood with raised simulated air intakes used on 1967 SS models, a big SS emblem for the center of the grille, special hood insulation, special chassis components, a 350-cid 295-hp V-8 engine, a color-keyed bumblebee-type front accent band (black with light colors and white with darker colors), SS identification below the Camaro front fender script, SS identification on the round fuel filler cap at the center of the rear body panel, red stripe or white stripe wide-oval tires and multi-leaf rear springs. In addition to, or in place of, all of the standard equipment listed above for base Camaros, the SS 396 package included unique hood with twin banks of four square simulated air intakes, a big SS emblem for the center of the grille, special hood insulation, special chassis components, a 396-cid V-8 engine, a color-keyed bumblebee type front accent band (black with light colors and white with darker colors), SS identification below the Camaro front fender script, SS identification on the round fuel filler cap at the center of the rear body panel, red stripe or white stripe wide-oval tires, multi-leaf rear springs and a black-painted rear body panel. A dual exhaust system was included with all Camaro SS models at no additional cost.

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Model Body/Style Body Type Factory Shipping Production Number Number & Seating Price Weight Total

CAMARO SS COUPE - SERIES 24 + Z27 - (RPO L48 "TURBO-FIRE 350" V-8/THREESPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION)
24 37 2d coupe $2,881 Note 6/7
24 67 2d convertible $3,119 Note 6/7

CAMARO SS COUPE - SERIES 24 + Z27 - (RPO L35 "TURBO-JET 396" V-8/ THREE-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION)
24 37 2d coupe $2,933 Note 6/7
24 67 2d convertible $3,171 Note 6/7

CAMARO SS COUPE - SERIES 24 + Z27 - (RPO L34 "TURBO-JET 396" V-8/ THREE-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION)
24 37 2d coupe $3,039 Note 6/7

Select your OEM Chevy Camaro Tail Light (LH Driver's side and RH Passenger's side):

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Oftentimes success is linked to mere unexpected factors, sometimes these happen to be quite trivial circumstances far away from your remotest aims and plans. This is most certainly the case of “Love Letters of Great Men and Women: From the Eighteenth Century to the Present Day”, a volume edited by C. H. Charles Ph. D. and published in London in 1924, which features love epistles by Madame Recamier, Amandine Aurore Lucile Dupin (a.k.a. George Sand), Marie Bashkirtseff, Benjamin Constant, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Alfred de Musset, William Congreve, Horace Walpole, Multatuli, Lord Nelson’s Lady Hamilton, dandy Beau Brummell, Guy de Maupassant, Stendhal, Camille Desmoulins, Madame de Stael, Esther Vanhomrigh, Duke of Choiseul. This rather vast and various harvest has been just recently exhumed and presented to the attention of the greater – and rather consumerism-oriented – public who is literally devouring this new paperback edition. I leave to my readers’ personal judgment as whether it really matters or not that it was “Carrie Bradshaw” (and her “Mr. Big”) to arouse this unforeseen interest: I do favour any endeavour, whichever is its source, intended to awake attention towards good writings.

On the other hand I presume that what the greater public is most likely not entirely aware of is that the writing and publication for entertainment purposes of real/fictitious letters of famed characters was already highly popular – almost a fashionable genre – in I and II century A.D.; and consequently involving brilliant authors like Lucian (Lucianus) of Samosata (Λουκιανός ο Σαμοσατεύς) a renowned orator, one of the earliest novelist ever and a true master in fictional narrative, Aristaenetus a very famous epistolographer and Alciphron (Αλκίφρων), a sophist and unparalleled fiction letter writer. Of this latter in particular we have circa 120 letters clustered by senders/addressees and namely gathering imaginary correspondence between fishermen, peasants, courtesans and parasites. All the letters have the IV century b.C. Athens (and its outskirts and countryside) as scenario, are written in pure Attic dialect, and portray various situations with sometimes ironic, mocking or funny tones, as well as a few times also shade some sorrowful, moving and passionate tenor – often the fiction involves real characters of that age.

When it comes to the theme of love, Alciphron presents us with marvellous examples of Attic prose and expression of feelings, which nowadays we may without much hesitation call romantic, in particular the fictitious correspondence between Menander (Μένανδρος), the most famous playwright of 4th century B.C. (originator of the New Comedy) and his lover Glycera. The preamble is that Menander was invited by Ptolemy Soter (or Lagus) King of Egypt, founder of the library and school of Alexandria – together with his rival play writer Philemon – where endless success and great riches were promised to both of them, but:

MENANDER to GLYCERA:

“By the Eleusinian goddesses and their mysteries, by which I have often sworn with you only, dear Glycera, I swear that, in making this avowal in writing, I have neither desire to praise myself nor to divide from you.

What happiness could I benefit from staying apart from you? In what could I take more contentment than in your love? Thanks to your tenderness and good character, even true old age shall seem youth to me. Let us be both young and then old together, and, by the gods, when time comes let us be together in death, without even realising that we are leaving this world; may jealousy never be buried with either of us into the grave, may never one survivor enjoy any other’s love. May it never be my misfortune to see you die before me; for then, what delight would be left for me?

I am presently staying in Piraeus due to my ill-health… and the reasons which have persuaded me to write to you, while you are staying in the city for the sacred festival of Demeter, the Haloa, are the following: I have received a letter from Ptolemy, King of Egypt, in which he beseeches me, promising me right regally all the good things of the world, and invites me to visit him, together with Philemon, to whom also, they say, a letter has been sent. In fact, Philemon has sent it on to me: it is to the same effect as mine, but not so ceremonious or splendid in the promises it holds out, since it is not written to Menander. Let him think about and contemplate what he wishes to do; but I will not wait for his opinion, for you, my Glycera, are my guidance, my Areopagus, my Heliaea, by Athena, you have ever been, and shall ever be my all.

So I am sending you the King’s letter; but, in order to prevent you from going through the reading of both my letter and his, I wish you also to know what reply I have determined to formulate to it. By the twelve great gods, I could not even consider sailing to Egypt, a realm so far remote from us; but, not even if Egypt was as close as Aegina. I could not even then dream of leaving my kingdom of your love, and the wandering alone in the middle of the busy inhabitants of Egypt, in a crowded desert, as it would seem to me without my Glycera. I prefer your hugs, which are sweeter and less dangerous than the special treatment of all the kings and satraps. Loss of freedom is loss of safety; flattery is shameful: the favours of Fortune are not to be trusted.

I swear it by Dionysus and his ivy-wreaths, with which I would rather be crowned, in the presence of my Glycera seated in the theatre, than with all the diadems of Ptolemy.

Shall I leave Glycera and move to Egypt? And to what purpose? To obtain gold and silver and other riches? And with whom am I to share my pleasure in it? With Glycera away from me separated by such a wide and dangerous sea? Won’t all this be plain poverty to me without her? And should I hear that she has entrusted her love to someone else, will not all these possessions be to me no more than dust and ashes? And, when I die, shall I not carry away with me my grief to the grave, and leave all my treasures a prey to those who are ever waiting to grab hold of them?

Is it so great an honour to live with Ptolemy and his satraps and others with like idle names, whose familiarity is not to be trusted, and whose enmity is perilous? If Glycera is irritated with me, I embrace her in my arms and snatch a kiss; if she is still angry, I press her further, and, if she is still resentful or rancorous, I shed tears; then she can no longer resist my grief, but beseeches me in her turn; because she has neither soldiers, nor lancer, nor guards, but I am all in all to her.

So let Philemon go to Egypt and have the benefit of the joy that is promised to me, because Philemon has no Glycera; perhaps he is not even worthy of such a blessing. And do you, my dear Glycera, I implore you, without delay after the Haloan celebrations, get on your mule and run to me, because I have never known a festival that seemed to last longer, or one more inopportune. Demeter: I beseech your favours!”

Thus starting from the real plead of the Egyptian King and Mecenate Ptolemy, confirmed by (Caius Plinius Secundus) Pliny the Elder, who reported it in his Naturalis Historia:

“magnum et Menandro in comico socco testimonium regum Aegypti et Macedoniae contigit classe et per legatos petito, maius ex ipso, regiae fortunae praelata litterarum conscientia”.

[A strong testimony, too, was given to the merit of Menander, the famous comic poet, by the kings of Egypt and Macedonia, in sending to him a fleet and an embassy; though, what was still more honourable to him, he preferred enjoying the converse of his literary pursuits to the favour of kings].

and just like any modern fiction writer – by the way it is worth to reveal that Pliny does not mention anything about the invitation to Egypt extended also to Philemon, which is probably a fiction escamotage smartly used by the author to have him as an anti-hero… – Alciphron imagines and composes this correspondence between the two lovers that, apparently, no distance, prospect success or promised riches can tear apart because they decide together about their nest and consequent future.

Such an interesting key to read the correlation between love and distances as well as the changing of perspectives under different moods, very much resembling the love letters exchanged between Lord Byron and Teresa Guiccioli, namely soon after they fell in love:

“This Venice, without flowers, without trees, without perfumes, without birds, that I never liked before, with her depressing gondolas instead of my horse-carriage now seems to me the dwelling of life and lights, like heaven on earth”. Teresa

and before him departing for Greece:

“In that word, marvellous in every language, but above them all in yours – Amor mio – there lies my entire existence, now and from now onward. I feel I exist here and I am afraid here I shall exist in the future – to which purpose you will decide: my destiny depends upon you… think about me sometimes when the mountains and the Ocean will try to separate us, but I know they will never succeed, unless you want them to.” Byron

I invited my nine year old neighbor boy to read a book with me and help me review it to give a kid's perspective.   The book we chose was The Tale of Devereaux by Kate DiCamillo.  (Based on its length AND Bybee's review!)   School starts in these here parts next week and his mother is insisting she read it first (what?!  - doesn't she trust me?  how funny, that a running theme of this book is perfidy, ha hahahahaaaaa - if you've read this, you'll get it, I think.  and yet, nevermind...)   Thus, it might be awhile, but I wanted to account for me reading it on my past list and request any review questions you might proffer.   

I also read A Curious State of Affairs:  A Novel about Life, Love and Loss by Jan Marshall and it deserves a thoughtful review.  (yep, ask me anything!)  It's extremely British which was fun since it has so many terms I don't know but assume could only be Brit slang?     And, finally, I'm in the middle of...   

wait for it!

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My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.  This is my first Picoult book and I want to talk about why I've been avoiding her and all the interesting reactions one gets when one says (or types) the name 'Picoult' these days.   This is a loaner from another neighbor and have already promised the previously mentioned neighbor that she gets it next.    A totally 'nother neighbor is a huge Picoult fan and can't wait to find out what I think!!!!   anyway.    

where was I?

This past weekend, I attended a small Maine town library's book sale.  uh, WOW!!!!     There was a line to get in!   It was a social event of the summer!    It was fun!    Nothing like I expected, of course.    The small town Mass library book sales don't generate that much excitement and yet, I really don't know - I haven't been to any.    My bad.

I bought:  Carson McCullers' The Heart is a Lonely Hunter in paperback (Bantam Books, 13th printing ~1967?), A.S. Byatt's The Matisse Stories (hardback, Random House 1993), and Robert James Waller's The Bridges of Madison County  because, believe it or not!  I've never seen the movie.    I also influenced my aunt and cuz-in-law to buy a few other big titles which I can't remember but I know I want to read someday;  the only one I know is in the stack is Neuromancer / Wm Gibson.    

I have also received via BookMooch the following:  Montana 1948 / Larry Watson and On the Occasion of my Last Afternoon / Kaye Gibbons.   I'm a-feared that my Mystic River request and the Wally Lamb books are LOST.   They were sent in July.   oh well.

So, please ask any questions you might want me to answer about The Tale of Devereaux (TTOD), A Curious State of Affairs (ACSOA), My Sister's Keeper (MSK).     A book that missed the stack is The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve, but up next is HOME TOWN by Kidder.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!   Sincerely, Care

Author: Donna Hay

Photography: Con Poulos

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers

Date Published: 2002

Pages: 192

"Commonsense cooking redefined with modern ingredients, outlook and style"

Donna Hay has almost become a household name (in Australia at least). She has authored many cookbooks, contributed to Marie Claire and even has her own self titled cooking magazine. In 'Modern Classics' Donna attempts to produce a body of traditional recipes, incorporating modern favorites (usually thai or indian dishes), under the 'commonsense cooking' ideal.

This book was first purchased for my Dad as a Father's day present. Unfortunately he hasn't used it yet (this is not a reflection on the contents or quality, my Dad just doesn't like following written recipes).

The sections are preceded by a short introduction and are as follows:

• soup
• salads
• vegetables
• roasts + simmers
• pasta, noodles + rice
• pies + tarts
• tools

Between each section are 'short orders' which consists of smaller recipes, sides, sauces and other cooking miscellany.

The recipes themselves are high quality with a focus on healthy eating (particularly the large amout of vegetable based recipes). The writing is direct, easy to understand and the ingredients are listed clearly. The basics are included, such as instructions on how to make gravy, stocks, mashed potato and rice. One minor drawback is that the recipes are on a different page to the pictures - this choice was probably based on layout style, but can be annoying when the reader has to 'match up' titles and images.

The photography is beautiful and crisp. Unfortunately, this only contributes to the problems. There is always a strategically placed dribble of pie on otherwise spotless minimalistic cutlery (see the cover above) or a feng shui positioned perfectly grilled piece of bread (bruschetta in this case). 'Donna Hay cook books' should probably have there own post on Stuff White People Like. The entire book is so stylised and 'ultra authentic' that it eventually comes across as false and annoying. Even the font featured in the section intros strikes me as being chosen to come across 'mega real' (like a computerised version of scribbly handwriting).

You can tell that a 'food stylist' (whatever that is) has written and designed this book, rather than a real chef. Everything feels recycled and as if they are standing on the shoulders of far better cooks to achieve this book.

If you don't have a classic recipe cookbook this may be worth purchasing. The book fulfills the title of bringing classics into a modern setting and including staple dishes from non-western cultures (older classic cookbooks may not have included these as most people have only been exposed to different cuisines in the past two decades). However, there are surely better examples of classic recipe cookbooks that give far more info and also without trying too hard design wise.

♥♥ - 2/5

Although I don't think its my very best mixing, this 100% vinyl mix is well selected and flows nicely from start to finish with some very nice transitions from song to song.  The sound quality is very good considering the age of some of the records being played, although I think the sound effects are sometimes too loud, especially for the type of songs being played.[caption id="attachment_39" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="The Finest Years - classic reggae mix CD cover"][/caption]

The Finest Years mix begins with Ken Boothe's 'Everything I Own,' which I use at the beginning to immediately set the tone. The first blend brings in Alton Ellis singing 'I'm Just A Guy' on the Studio One label. At this point you can really hear some hissing and popping from the needle travelling along the grooves of the original 45 (7" record played at 45rpms). 'Love and Devotion' sung by Jimmy Riley (Tarrus Riley's father for those who don't know) is next followed by Eek A Mouse's 'Virgin Girl,' a Volcano recording.

The mix steps up pace just a bit now as I draw for "I'm Still in Love" sung by Marcia Aitken and produced by the legendary Joe Gibbs. This tune was made popular recently by Sean Paul and Sasha. For all dub lovers I feature Studio One's Ken Booth 45 of 'When I Fall In Dub,' (look for more dub featured on mixes coming soon). One good Studio One deserves another so another blend begins and The Heptones sing 'Pretty Looks' for us. Next is the first song from Dennis Emmanuel Brown, The Crown Prince of Reggae, 'Sitting and Watching,' followed by the Empress of Reggae, Marcia Griffiths with 'Feel Like Jumping.'

The mix then goes into a vintage classic, 'Loving Pauper,' by Dobby Dobson. I remember drawing tunes like this in the early days of Highlanda to the surprise and praise of the elders in the community who asked "is how you know dem tune ya?" The Heptones' 'Sitting In the Park' mixes in right on beat and ushers in more nostalgia before again the voice of Mr. D. Brown is featured with 'Have You Ever.' I had to let this one play for a while before transitioning smoothly into 'I've Got The Handle,' another Heptones Studio One classic, then Freddie McGregor's version of 'Let Him Try.'

The blend that follows is crucial as it brings across to your speakers the voices of Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths with 'Always Together,' a lover's anthem recorded at Studio One. I had to feature some Bob Marley so the next blend is into 'Nice Time,' original Tuff Gong 45 and from there back to Studio One with Alton Ellis 'Breaking Up.' To keep things interesting next up is 'Can't Stop Loving You' by Freddie McGregor and 'Missing You' by Dennis Brown, (This Dennis Brown version was recorded at Don 1 studios in Brooklyn, New York) and Cocoa Tea's 'Tune In' on the Far East riddim. Volcano label 45 'Rocking Dolly' also by Cocoa Tea blends in smoothly next followed by another Cocoa Tea hit 'She Loves Me Now.'

For many what follows is the sweetest part of The Finest Years mix. 6 Dennis Browns in a row blended masterfully starting with the Joe Gibbs dub version of 'Money In My Pocket' and moving into the original version, then 'Silhoutte,' 'Take It Easy,' 'Caress Me Girl,' 'How Could I Leave,' and 'Rocking Time.' Thank you D. Brown, we love you!

The next 4 songs are from Studio One: 'Party Time' by the Heptones, 'Truly,' by Marcia Griffiths, 'Play Play Girl,' by Johnny Osborne, and 'Fatty Fatty,' by Alton Ellis. Then an all-time favorite of mine 'Friends for Life,' is performed by Dennis Brown followed by The Melodians with 'Come On Little Girl,' and Cornell Campbell with 'Boxing,' another Joe Gibbs masterpiece. Featuring one more Freddie McGregor, the mix transitions into 'I Was Born A Winner,' and serious rockers tune 'Keep On Knocking' by Jacob Miller. The Finest Years closes out with Gregory Issacs's 'Number One,' and the classic ballad by Junior Byles, 'Curley Lox.'

Thank you for reading and more importantly thank you for listening. The purpose of this blog post is for the education of those who seek to learn more about this powerful force, this divine gift of reggae.

I read it in high school. I don't actually remember it that well; either it didn't leave a lasting impression, or my budding feminist self was already growing tired of disaffected young male protagonists. What about you?