Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Dead Can Dance
Experienced the phenomenon of Dead Can Dance this past weekend at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle (www.paramountheatre.com). Yes, I made a special trip out there just to see them! (And of course visit some family out there as well.) Anyway, they were phenomenal. Not only is their music impeccable and far-reaching musically, but their live production at a show sounds like a CD. There were three standing ovations for them and they did two encores. A live recording of that show and many others are coming out in mid-November. Check it out at www.deadcandance.com and also http://www.dcddiscs.com/. It's worth it.
Monday, July 18, 2005
London
I think that the terrorists made a mistake bombing in London. Don't they know how resilient and unfearing the Londoners are? They simply go about their daily business, going right on the buses and trains the very next day. Anyway, that's across the board - if we don't give into the fear, they can't win.
Technorealism
Found some interesting sites to do with technology today, courtesy of someone from the library:
First of all: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Second: http://www.technorealism.org/
Both of these sites talk about the advent of technology and what it does to society. Check out this link specifically from the first site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite
It describes a "Luddite" - which in modern terms "has been used to describe anyone opposed to techological progress and technological change."
I for one am not quite a "luddite" - I love computers, I practically live on them, but I do understand the deeper implications of technology taking over society. Take for instance The Matrix series of movies. For those not aware, those movies depict what would happen if computers gained their own intelligence, known as 'Artifical Intelligence" or AI for short. In short, the movies play out the conflict between the creatures of flesh and blood and memory chips and electricity. Considering that our brains/minds are made of small chips called neurons and electricity as well, are we really so different? Are we? Does that mean that we should let machines or technology take over completely? These are some of the questions posed by technorealists.
First of all: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Second: http://www.technorealism.org/
Both of these sites talk about the advent of technology and what it does to society. Check out this link specifically from the first site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite
It describes a "Luddite" - which in modern terms "has been used to describe anyone opposed to techological progress and technological change."
I for one am not quite a "luddite" - I love computers, I practically live on them, but I do understand the deeper implications of technology taking over society. Take for instance The Matrix series of movies. For those not aware, those movies depict what would happen if computers gained their own intelligence, known as 'Artifical Intelligence" or AI for short. In short, the movies play out the conflict between the creatures of flesh and blood and memory chips and electricity. Considering that our brains/minds are made of small chips called neurons and electricity as well, are we really so different? Are we? Does that mean that we should let machines or technology take over completely? These are some of the questions posed by technorealists.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
The broken ball
I was driving to work the other day when I saw one of those plastic playballs you find in the supermarket in the middle of the freeway. I thought to myself, "Oh, I hope that doesn't break."
Just then, an SUV drove right over it and it was flattened in no time flat. It seems like a small symbol of innocence lost.
Just then, an SUV drove right over it and it was flattened in no time flat. It seems like a small symbol of innocence lost.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Cinevegas Film Festival 2005
The Cinevegas Film Festival was in town from June 10 to June 18.
Notable films include:
Fifth World - a story about young Navajo Indians that hitchhike through their ancestral lands and what they learn about their culture and each other. Very interesting and notable film. There are not many Native American films about if you haven't noticed, so one should check them out when they're out.
Buy It Now - a 16 year old sells her virginity on ebay. A sign of our times really when girls will do just about anything to get designer clothes and items. Have you heard about "suburban prostitutes?" There are actually young girls, like teenagers, living in suburban neighborhoods, who actually sell themselves to buy designer items.
The Aristocrats - A film about an old joke told since the days of Vaudeville by numerous modern comedians. A word of warning: this is not a movie for the faint-hearted. Hint: it is a very dirty joke. You'll have to see it to believe it. Playing now in more than just Los Angeles and New York.
Saw/heard Christopher Walken and Nicolas Cage speak about their careers. Nicolas Cage has been known for his voice inflections and expressionistic hand gestures, etc. He related that to being inspired by the German Expressionistic films and the silent films such as Doctor Caligari. I found him fascinating. Christopher Walken is also known for his unique voice inflections and subtle performances. The panel also mentioned that he has been trained as a dancer from the time he was two years old. We viewed King of New York.
This is just a taste of what the Cinevegas Film Festival has to offer. If you happen to be in town, or live in Las Vegas, you ought to come by and see what's it's all about! Thanks for reading!
Notable films include:
Fifth World - a story about young Navajo Indians that hitchhike through their ancestral lands and what they learn about their culture and each other. Very interesting and notable film. There are not many Native American films about if you haven't noticed, so one should check them out when they're out.
Buy It Now - a 16 year old sells her virginity on ebay. A sign of our times really when girls will do just about anything to get designer clothes and items. Have you heard about "suburban prostitutes?" There are actually young girls, like teenagers, living in suburban neighborhoods, who actually sell themselves to buy designer items.
The Aristocrats - A film about an old joke told since the days of Vaudeville by numerous modern comedians. A word of warning: this is not a movie for the faint-hearted. Hint: it is a very dirty joke. You'll have to see it to believe it. Playing now in more than just Los Angeles and New York.
Saw/heard Christopher Walken and Nicolas Cage speak about their careers. Nicolas Cage has been known for his voice inflections and expressionistic hand gestures, etc. He related that to being inspired by the German Expressionistic films and the silent films such as Doctor Caligari. I found him fascinating. Christopher Walken is also known for his unique voice inflections and subtle performances. The panel also mentioned that he has been trained as a dancer from the time he was two years old. We viewed King of New York.
This is just a taste of what the Cinevegas Film Festival has to offer. If you happen to be in town, or live in Las Vegas, you ought to come by and see what's it's all about! Thanks for reading!
Monday, May 16, 2005
Comedy vs. Tragedy
I was reminded of this quote today, I forgot who wrote it though:
Life is a comedy to those who think and a tragedy to those who feel.
If you think about it, you will see it's true.
Life is a comedy to those who think and a tragedy to those who feel.
If you think about it, you will see it's true.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
The Wolves Within
Note:
I got this from a quotes list I was on, I am not sure of the origin. I know it is an old American Indian tale. I am not taking credit for this story. If this is not allowed to be re-told, I apologize and will remove it. It is: A Native American tale told many times
Around the Sacred Fire, courtesy of: http://www.barefootsworld.net/wolveswithin.html
The Wolves Within
An old grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story."
"I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those who have taken so much with no sorrow for what they do; but hate wears you down and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking a poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times."
He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.
But...the other wolf...Ah! The littlest thing will send him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all of the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing."
"Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
I got this from a quotes list I was on, I am not sure of the origin. I know it is an old American Indian tale. I am not taking credit for this story. If this is not allowed to be re-told, I apologize and will remove it. It is: A Native American tale told many times
Around the Sacred Fire, courtesy of: http://www.barefootsworld.net/wolveswithin.html
The Wolves Within
An old grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story."
"I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those who have taken so much with no sorrow for what they do; but hate wears you down and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking a poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times."
He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.
But...the other wolf...Ah! The littlest thing will send him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all of the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing."
"Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
A word to the wise about "Spam"
A word to the wise about 'spam' or junk mail. Yes, I found some gems of fiction and what-not in spam emails, but spam is a serious time waster and sometimes more. When at all possible, try to avoid doing too much with it. Under no circumstances should you respond to spam emails, that's just what they want you to do. That way, they know your email exists, you just confirmed it for them, and also the 'spammers' will put you on numerous other email lists without your consent. Some or most of them actually make money off of this.
There is a trick to knowing for sure if an email is not spam, (just in case you can't tell). Open up the email and press select all, if strange, no-nonsense characters and bits of writings here and there show up, you know that that is spam and that was probably sent by 'zombies' - which are computers that, unbeknowst to innocent computer users, have been used to produce and send more spam out. Yes, spam has become sentient in a way and is like a virus, sending itself out like so many tendrils from the Matrix.
There is a trick to knowing for sure if an email is not spam, (just in case you can't tell). Open up the email and press select all, if strange, no-nonsense characters and bits of writings here and there show up, you know that that is spam and that was probably sent by 'zombies' - which are computers that, unbeknowst to innocent computer users, have been used to produce and send more spam out. Yes, spam has become sentient in a way and is like a virus, sending itself out like so many tendrils from the Matrix.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
favorite authors/recommended reading
Victor Hugo - Les Miserables
D.H. Lawrence
Oscar Wilde
Deepak Chopra -
Soulmate, The Book of Secrets, The Way of the Wizard (all excellent reading!)
More recommended books:
Psyche's Seeds
Joseph Campbell - The Hero's Journey
D.H. Lawrence
Oscar Wilde
Deepak Chopra -
Soulmate, The Book of Secrets, The Way of the Wizard (all excellent reading!)
More recommended books:
Psyche's Seeds
Joseph Campbell - The Hero's Journey
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Notable movie quote for today
From the movie Tadpole, quotes by either Voltaire or Mirabeau:
"One should always aim at being interesting rather than exact."
"The composition of tragedy requires testicles."
A personal favorite:
"Cherish truth, pardon error."
And finally:"Every man is guilty of the good he didn't do."
"One should always aim at being interesting rather than exact."
"The composition of tragedy requires testicles."
A personal favorite:
"Cherish truth, pardon error."
And finally:"Every man is guilty of the good he didn't do."
Monday, March 21, 2005
Recommended films for 2004-2005
From 2004: now on DVD
Girl with a Pearl Earring - artistic, intellectual and erotic. Some say not satisfying in that sense, but that's a matter of opinion. It is very worth watching if only as an authentic period piece at the very least. (I was reminded of this since it was on a movie channel recently). Love the music too! (On DVD and the movie channels and your local rental store!)
The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - a moving rendition of the ups and downs of a romantic relationship. (Now on DVD)(Oscar Contender as well?)
Late 2004 and 2005: Oscar Contenders:
The Aviator - another authentic and ultimately satisfying representation of one of the wealthiest and most eccentric, yet darkly heroic men of our time. Leonard Dicaprio does an excellent job to boot at portraying this icon of modern times.
Finding Neverland - touching, moving and poignant. Johhny Depp and Kate Winslet exhibit 'stellar' performances. Another authentic representation of the period.
On a lighter note: from 2004
In the cartoon realm: The Incredibles, - pardon the pun, but it is nothing less than incredible in its graphics and humor as well.
A must-see for a light romantic comedy with 'Hollywood Hope'for a romantic relationship, hey - if it makes you feel good, it can't hurt.
The Wedding Date - it has the England/America formula ala almost every Hugh Grant movie, but it's not, it does its own thing. Debra Messing was great, and so was Dermot Mulroney. That's all I want to say for now.
Here's the description from moviefone.com:
Debra Messing plays Kat, a never-married New Yorker facing a dilemma: her ex-fiancé will be the best man at her younger sister's wedding! In a desperate attempt to face the ordeal with dignity, Kat hires Nick (Dermot Mulroney), a charming and handsome professional male escort, to pose as her new boyfriend and escort her to the wedding. But what starts out as a pretend relationship begins to turn into something entirely unexpected: a second chance at love.
Girl with a Pearl Earring - artistic, intellectual and erotic. Some say not satisfying in that sense, but that's a matter of opinion. It is very worth watching if only as an authentic period piece at the very least. (I was reminded of this since it was on a movie channel recently). Love the music too! (On DVD and the movie channels and your local rental store!)
The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - a moving rendition of the ups and downs of a romantic relationship. (Now on DVD)(Oscar Contender as well?)
Late 2004 and 2005: Oscar Contenders:
The Aviator - another authentic and ultimately satisfying representation of one of the wealthiest and most eccentric, yet darkly heroic men of our time. Leonard Dicaprio does an excellent job to boot at portraying this icon of modern times.
Finding Neverland - touching, moving and poignant. Johhny Depp and Kate Winslet exhibit 'stellar' performances. Another authentic representation of the period.
On a lighter note: from 2004
In the cartoon realm: The Incredibles, - pardon the pun, but it is nothing less than incredible in its graphics and humor as well.
A must-see for a light romantic comedy with 'Hollywood Hope'for a romantic relationship, hey - if it makes you feel good, it can't hurt.
The Wedding Date - it has the England/America formula ala almost every Hugh Grant movie, but it's not, it does its own thing. Debra Messing was great, and so was Dermot Mulroney. That's all I want to say for now.
Here's the description from moviefone.com:
Debra Messing plays Kat, a never-married New Yorker facing a dilemma: her ex-fiancé will be the best man at her younger sister's wedding! In a desperate attempt to face the ordeal with dignity, Kat hires Nick (Dermot Mulroney), a charming and handsome professional male escort, to pose as her new boyfriend and escort her to the wedding. But what starts out as a pretend relationship begins to turn into something entirely unexpected: a second chance at love.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Movie quote for the day
"The more esteemable the offender, the greater the torment"
- Voltaire
From the movie Tadpole
- Voltaire
From the movie Tadpole
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
MoRe SpOeMs
I got another part of The Walrus and the Carpenter today from a piece of spam:
The Walrus and the Carpenter Pt.1
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright-
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
Here's another notable 'spoem' found within an email about a 'personal satellite navigator.' I really like this one. It was entitled - Chicago Poet Pt.2, but I call it..
'Looking Glass Man'
Ah, this looking-glass man!
Liar, fool, dreamer, play-actor,
Soldier, dusty drinker of dust-
Ah! he will go with me
Down the dark stairway
When nobody else is looking,
When everybody else is gone.
So, before you mindlessly throw that spam away, maybe you should think twice and see if there's a 'spoem' in there. Ha ha ha.
Here's yet another one from today:
Chicago Poet Pt.1
I saluted a nobody.
I saw him in a looking-glass.
He smiled-so did I.
He crumpled the skin on his forehead,
frowning-so did I.
Everything I did he did.
I said "Hello, I know you."
And I was a liar to say so.
The Walrus and the Carpenter Pt.1
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright-
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
Here's another notable 'spoem' found within an email about a 'personal satellite navigator.' I really like this one. It was entitled - Chicago Poet Pt.2, but I call it..
'Looking Glass Man'
Ah, this looking-glass man!
Liar, fool, dreamer, play-actor,
Soldier, dusty drinker of dust-
Ah! he will go with me
Down the dark stairway
When nobody else is looking,
When everybody else is gone.
So, before you mindlessly throw that spam away, maybe you should think twice and see if there's a 'spoem' in there. Ha ha ha.
Here's yet another one from today:
Chicago Poet Pt.1
I saluted a nobody.
I saw him in a looking-glass.
He smiled-so did I.
He crumpled the skin on his forehead,
frowning-so did I.
Everything I did he did.
I said "Hello, I know you."
And I was a liar to say so.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Notable or favorite movie quotes
From the movie Tadpole: quotes by Voltaire or Mirebeau
"Cherish truth, pardon error."
From The Wedding Date, out of the mouth of the escort:
"Every woman has the love life she wants"
"Cherish truth, pardon error."
From The Wedding Date, out of the mouth of the escort:
"Every woman has the love life she wants"
I'm your huckleberry!
- From Tombstone, spoken by Doc Holladay, played by Val Kilmer
I've got two guns, one for the each of ya!
- Doc Holladay, drunk as usual, but still with his wits about him
Saturday, February 19, 2005
The Oracle Speaks
Know thyself.
-- Delphic Oracle, 8th century BC
The folly of mistaking a paradox for a discovery, a metaphor for a proof, a torrent of verbiage for a spring of capital truths, and oneself for an oracle, is inborn in us.
-- Paul Valéry, 1895
From The Internet Oracle
also known as The Usenet Oracle
-- Delphic Oracle, 8th century BC
The folly of mistaking a paradox for a discovery, a metaphor for a proof, a torrent of verbiage for a spring of capital truths, and oneself for an oracle, is inborn in us.
-- Paul Valéry, 1895
From The Internet Oracle
also known as The Usenet Oracle
Notable Movie Quotes
These quotes are all from the movie Tadpole and from the philosopher Voltaire or is it Mirabeau?
"One must not only conquer, but learn to seduce." -- a paraphrase of a quote from Voltaire
"The more esteemable the offender, the greater the torment" -- Voltaire
"One should always aim at being interesting rather than exact."
"The composition of tragedy requires testicles."
A personal favorite:
"Cherish truth, pardon error."
And finally:
"Every man is guilty of the good he didn't do."
From The Wedding Date, out of the mouth of the escort:
"Every woman has the love life she wants."
"One must not only conquer, but learn to seduce." -- a paraphrase of a quote from Voltaire
"The more esteemable the offender, the greater the torment" -- Voltaire
"One should always aim at being interesting rather than exact."
"The composition of tragedy requires testicles."
A personal favorite:
"Cherish truth, pardon error."
And finally:
"Every man is guilty of the good he didn't do."
From The Wedding Date, out of the mouth of the escort:
"Every woman has the love life she wants."
Friday, February 18, 2005
mUsiC
Name it - I like it.. with the exception of pompous music.. music just for the sake of the big companies or something like that with no real substance. I can't think of anything specific, but it's been out there.
I will give more details later on exactly the range of music I like..
Here... Current music I'm listening to right now!
Seal - Killer 12 inch mix (great song) - it's not about what it seems, it's about a relationship ending and what it's doing to the person who's singing it. Very futuristic sounding song from the early 90's.
Listening to on and off all the time:
Lorenna McKennit - The Mummer's Dance
Dead can Dance
Masters of Chant - Gregorian Chant singers sing pop songs. It's good. Very relaxing.
David Bowie - any song, any time period, any time..
I will give more details later on exactly the range of music I like..
Here... Current music I'm listening to right now!
Seal - Killer 12 inch mix (great song) - it's not about what it seems, it's about a relationship ending and what it's doing to the person who's singing it. Very futuristic sounding song from the early 90's.
Listening to on and off all the time:
Lorenna McKennit - The Mummer's Dance
Dead can Dance
Masters of Chant - Gregorian Chant singers sing pop songs. It's good. Very relaxing.
David Bowie - any song, any time period, any time..
SiLvEr SeRenDipiTy
This is a poem I wrote a few years back, it has been posted on other sites and been read by my poetry class and others. I feel that it can speak to a lot of people, so I would like to post it here.
Silver Serendipity
Silver serendipity
How lucky am I!
A disaster beholden
And long denied.
I rode the eccentric horse
To town, a paradigm of
Problematic woes.
I lost my head in an
Aesthetic yellow box.
I hope it can help somebody out - whoever reads it. It's really about something you thought you wanted and you received it in luck (serendipity - an unexpected and not looked for bit of luck basically), but then it turns out to not be as good as it at first seemed. Nevertheless, it can be something good in the end.
Copyright, 2000-2006, Elizabeth Aralica, Babbling Brooks Productions, (1994-2006)
Silver Serendipity
Silver serendipity
How lucky am I!
A disaster beholden
And long denied.
I rode the eccentric horse
To town, a paradigm of
Problematic woes.
I lost my head in an
Aesthetic yellow box.
I hope it can help somebody out - whoever reads it. It's really about something you thought you wanted and you received it in luck (serendipity - an unexpected and not looked for bit of luck basically), but then it turns out to not be as good as it at first seemed. Nevertheless, it can be something good in the end.
Copyright, 2000-2006, Elizabeth Aralica, Babbling Brooks Productions, (1994-2006)
Denial
Another one of my 'real' poems: this one was started in 1998 and was finished in the year 2000.
Denial
You come in such sweet disguises
Like the sirens in the sea
Calling to weary sailors
Who long for peace
Silk and satin red velvet, blue
Seductively you slither
through the shadows, you!
The honey-sweet sting lasts not so long. . .
and then it is gone, but the
aroma remains...
Denial, you have served me well!
But now you sting me till I swell!
Copyright, 2000-2006, Babbling Brooks Productions (1994-2006)
Denial
You come in such sweet disguises
Like the sirens in the sea
Calling to weary sailors
Who long for peace
Silk and satin red velvet, blue
Seductively you slither
through the shadows, you!
The honey-sweet sting lasts not so long. . .
and then it is gone, but the
aroma remains...
Denial, you have served me well!
But now you sting me till I swell!
Copyright, 2000-2006, Babbling Brooks Productions (1994-2006)
SPoEmS
Occasionally, there will be a rather good poem hidden in the garbage of spam or junk email. I call them "spoems" or a combination of spam and poems. Here is one recently found:
The Walrus and the Carpenter
The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done-
"It's very rude of him," she said,
"To come and spoil the fun!"
Well, I guess there's something to be gleaned from spam - sometimes! Okay, I did a google search and The Walrus and the Carpenter is a poem by Lewis Carroll from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872. Here's the complete link:
http://www.jabberwocky.com/carroll/walrus.html. It's really a very delightful little poem.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done-
"It's very rude of him," she said,
"To come and spoil the fun!"
Well, I guess there's something to be gleaned from spam - sometimes! Okay, I did a google search and The Walrus and the Carpenter is a poem by Lewis Carroll from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872. Here's the complete link:
http://www.jabberwocky.com/carroll/walrus.html. It's really a very delightful little poem.
Links
For those astrologically inclined:
www.madalynaslan.com
For those who have an interest in the Tarot, etc.
www.facade.com
Very, very important link:
http://www.freewillastrology.com/beauty/pronoia.therapy.html
My other web page through yahoo geocities.com:
http://www.geocities.com/renaissance_woman2001/
http://www.poetry.com
www.madalynaslan.com
For those who have an interest in the Tarot, etc.
www.facade.com
Very, very important link:
http://www.freewillastrology.com/beauty/pronoia.therapy.html
My other web page through yahoo geocities.com:
http://www.geocities.com/renaissance_woman2001/
http://www.poetry.com
Rain, rain go away..
This is the third of fourth Friday in a row that it has rained here. And, this is not a place where it usually rains. Is somebody doing rain dances every Friday now?
Anyway, there's nothing wrong with rain, but it's just so strange.
Anyway, there's nothing wrong with rain, but it's just so strange.
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