Podcasting since 2004; Conversations, conflicts, adventures and monologues from around the world.
Just in from the pub where Inappropriate Brian is enjoying his final nights in Amsterdam. Bit disorganized, but I covered all the bases. Red Light District Soundseeing Tour, this saturday night!
64kbps, about 7MB, 14min 44sec
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Finally sat down and watched the motorcycle diaries. This won’t be much of a movie review, because I wanted to love it so much that I did indeed love it.
The critics and my dear scholarly masseuse, who let me borrow the dvd, all say it’s a weak film. It’s “too pretty” and “lacking in substance” they say. But you see, I believe this film was made for me. I don’t love Ch?, but I absolutely love Ernesto Guevara de la Serna. I have read his diary, his writing, and what others have written about him. Over and Over. I eat it for dinner… I actually believe (im dillusional) I understand his feelings and thoughts. I even imagine the parallels in my own life.
You see Ernesto wasn’t much of a worker. He was a curious one… a passionate one. He was so polite and so caring for complete strangers… that’s how I often feel.
The film does make it all beautiful, and it tries a little to hard to make him seem like a soon-to-be revolutionary, but it also depicts the sadness and the sense of frustration that common people no doubt felt towards the conditions they lived in. I found myself absolutely fascinated when he and Grenado enter the heart of South America, Cuzco. The deep respect for the Incas and the longing for the return of that civilization that kept such a strong quality of life.
It’s hard to talk about Ernesto because of the pop culture. It’s hard to talk about Ch? because of all the nonsense and pre-judging. But fuck that, my concern isn’t for tshirts or a symbolic icon, my interest lies in the story of a guy I can relate to. Who wanted to see the world, and alleviate the most basic injustices. Who cared more about others than himself.
Maybe later he become obsessed and self-absorbed. Maybe he lost some of that curiosity and compassion. I suppose life is funny that way, the way it can change you over time. The most peaceful and open-minded youth can become a vengeful hatemonger in his old age. But that’s not how I see Ernesto… for me he died long before that CIA trained firing squad, but he kept that dedication to strangers til the very end.. which I admire greatly.
Bad movie? Not for me. Fucking great movie. Plus the music is sweet and they drink lots of mat?, just as I do. Hopefully I will take that same journey someday, minus the motorcycle.
Unrelated, but a great read — the xtx is a poet and a half. And Viva la Podcast do their underrated/overrated band of the year list.
Today’s Sounds: Coheed & Cambria – Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth
Johnny Benitez seems to come to Amsterdam every 6 months lately. He works for Taking Back Sunday, and they must be doing ok, cause that place was full last night and you almost can’t hear the band with everyone singing along and pointing fingers in the air. Earlier in the day I went over to the Melkweg and sat with the band, then me and my boy wandered around Leidseplein playing catch-up.
It’s a truely amazing thing… the size of this world and the way lives intersect. Me and JB grew up in the same neighborhood, both of Portuguese families, his house was even designed mediterranean style, with tiled roof and gloriously white on the outside. This, of course, triggered the baptism of his house by our other friends as “Taco Bell.”
When I think back, he was the friend who helped me get adjusted to public school in suburbia, coming from the urban polish-catholic school from hell. We played soccer together and used to reak havoc on the tennis court, ignoring all the rules and hitting the ball as hard and as far as possible. If you hit the ball out of the fenced area, it was like hitting a homerun, you were a champ.
In high school we produced TV programs together, running around outside school grounds with microphones and cameras while other kids sat in boring classes. Then came the One Cool Guy days, when together with 8 other friends, we became part of one of the NJ-tri-state area’s third-wave-ska legends.
But I never expected our lives to continue to cross paths when I moved to the dam. As I sat on the tourbus watching the boys play some motorcross videogame, I kept thinking what an odd coincidence… I grew up with this guy, and to this day, our lives somehow intersect… often. Pretty cool.
Oh and Back-to-Iraq, the journalist and blog pioneer who’s been working in Iraq for the past 3 years or so, has some good insight about what took place on election day. And if you’re curious about other perspectives, Chris Missick gives you a soldier’s take.
Today’s Sounds: Taking Back Sunday – The Newer Album
Well… this one is no where as exciting as the market last week. Vondelpark is one of Amsterdam’s most popular parks. Quite cold and grey this weekend, and maybe I started a bit too early for this one. Next week, I promise to spice it up. As per my new usual.. a flickr photoshow (optional)starting with the photo: Soundseeing Vondelpark #1, goes along with this tour.
AudioCommuniqu? #7 Soundseeing Vondelpark (mp3)
64Kbps, 8mb, 17min
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I’ve shifted apartments here at the bicyclemark ranch. I now have a garden view, no more tourists looking in my window as I eat breakfast or play horn without pants on. Although I will miss the canal view, I’m quite content with the plum tree and the cat who interact with each other at my new windows.
Since I’ve just moved in (down the hall.. so it took me 4 hours to move to my new place) I figure why not celebrate by spending the night at a 5 star hotel in the heart of Amsterdam. Free of course, cause I know all the right people… I’m so looking forward to it.
While I go rough it in the lap of luxury, I’ve been watching Iraqi’s vote in make-shift booths with m16’s all around them. I keep forgetting who’s protecting who from who. Nothings says democracy like tanks in the streets and guns in your face. And man do my ears ring everytime they call it a historical day. Historical my ass… I remember when Saddam used to hold elections and you could only vote for him. This isn’t the same, but it isn’t that far off either. In both cases people will be treated as if they are threats to the government, arrested occasionally, and possibly tortured — since that’s an ok method to get your information.
The only news item I found nice was the story of Iraqi ex-pats who voted here in the netherlands. The images and stories were really… heartwarming and funny (dances and feasts surrounding the polling stations).
Today’s Sounds: Ani Difranco – The new one
On the eve of a soundseeing tour of world infamous Vondelpark, a little podcasting from the bicyclemark ranch. I’m getting comfy with using Adobe Audition, and I highly recommend it. I get preachy in this one about elections in Iraq and Portugal, plus I lay out a mission for all of you… if you choose to accept it.
64Kbps, 16min, 7,5 MB
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