Tag Archives: history

I want your Sussex

Finally caught up with Blonde But Busy yesterday for lunch. I showed her latai, and she treated, as part my two-lunch tour of Amsterdamage. Everything in that place is for sale including the table you’re eating off. What isn’t for sale is the excellent hand-made atmosphere and perfectly lovely waitress who respects the fact that you can speak Dutch with her and English with your lunch partner.

BBB is heading to Sussex, UK for the internety scholars conference thingy. Mathemagenic is going too and I’m sure as I run through my blogroll, so are alot of other blogscholars. Times like this I wish I was a PHD-er… so I could take the harrier jump-jet over the channel and make outlandish claims about blogs and the internet, get my ears boxed by intelligent people, and come home in defeat. That and I’d get to say “I was in Sussex,” which just sounds naughty. (I wonder if that word earns me more blog visitors)

They call it an Obelisk, but I think they're insecure about somethingOn to something else that’s eating at my brain: “We will make shoes of their skins,” this was something like the quote from Mussolini before sending his army to attack Ethiopia. Then the Pope…. Pius, or John.. or Paul… or Ringo.. he comes out and blesses all the tanks before they head to war. Reason #345 why I can’t forgive christianity. I mention all this to set the stage… September 2004, Ethiopia and Eritrea… not talking to each other much these days… can’t seem to agree on anything. That includes getting their giant penis… errr.. obelisk back from Italy, because Mussolini, like many male politicians and their “missiles”,had a phallic fixation, and stole the giant pole for Italy. So they want it back but they don’t want to cooperate to ship it back. I can’t help but think of Yemane, my good friend and teacher, who used to say how ridiculous this conflict is, and how similar the two nations are.

My advice to their government is to leave the phallus where it is as a reminder of the horrors and mistakes of history. Maybe it will help to remind them not to make war so that more of this type of theft and destruction doesn’t take place. My advice to their people: fire your leaders. They created and have been perpetuating this conflict for too long, because they benefit politically from it.

See… you even hear about East Africa on the Communiqu?!

I musn’t forget to mention a recent post from Chris Missick in Iraq. It’s the details that I really enjoyed. And the whole financial situation of soldiers that I’ve been thinking alot about. Man they have to spend a good chunk of change on the day-to-day things like phone, internet, keeping-cool-gear, etc.

Today’s Music: Jaga Jazzist Horns and Motorpsycho (In the Fish Tank;the label that puts 2 bands together to do albums)

Toast, Wi-Fi, and Beirut

It seems as though Blonde But Buttery and I have these semi-daily chats where we conduct the blogosphere round-up. This whole week we’ve been working as co-group leaders for new students via the International Student Network, and I’m pretty sure our whole group thinks we’re either insane or the biggest internet nerds EVER. Despite the fact that we have a lovely collection of Spanish, German, Israeli, Canadian, American, Japanese, British, French, and Polish students, this is our third intro gig and we’re considering retirement. The parties have lost some of their luster, the routine is too routine, and shit – we’re workin’ folk. Still there’s so much to learn from these dynamic people who find their way over to Amsterdam academia.

Speaking of academia, ESchool had a post about Philly wanting to become the wi-fi capital of the US – having the largest wireless internet hotspot citywide. Now it sounds lovely in theory, and I admit that if it comes true I might have to make a pilgrimage there like a hippy to Woodstock. HOWEVER, It is hard to believe.

Only two years ago my little Plymouth Sundance was set ablaze overnight in South Philly, and suddenly the city has prioritized putting wi-fi everywhere? All I ask of you Philly, is that you first tackle the problem of random arson and say – violent crime, before (or at the same time as) you make everyone into a Netizen. I’m sure the kids will love it though, after a hard day of setting things on fire, jump on the web and learn about nuclear fission.

My dear friend, co-worker, and occasional musical partner Amy (she’s a celeb so I can call her by her real name) recently returned from a personal pilgrimage to Lebanon. Her stories and her photos have completely fascinated me, add to that a pair of wonderful Lebanese ladies that I befriended in the last months… suddenly I’m learning tidbits of history and culture. So I started flipping through the Daily Star, which I haven’t done since June. I have noticed in the last few days the news about France and the US pushing for Syria to pull its 20,000 troops out of Lebanon. They’ve been there since the end of the civil war that I believe started in the late 70’s til the early 90’s. Obviously this blogger is in favor of such a move, at long last. But I digress, the point was Lebanon seems like a beautiful and mystical place, and when I look at these photos I see scenes that remind me of Portugal. Guess it’s a Mediterranean thing.

I might ask Amy to guestblog a bit on her experience… yeah.. that would be fun.

Also next week I’ve decided to have a theme…. “South America.” Pretty broad, I know, but my each of my posts will have some element related to that part of the world, besides my usual verbage.

Today’s Music: Rancid – indestructible

Puerto Rican Style

I grew up in New Jersey, and I was a teenager in the days of all the TEAM USA Basketball hype. Perhaps some of you remember, it was when the US decided to send their professional NBA types, instead of those college guys who I guess were losing all the time to teams like Yugoslavia or something. I wasn’t excited at the idea, nor am I a big sports fan, but it was interesting back then… Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan representin the US, it was as it was called – a dream team. I guess.

But man oh man. Seems that since winning every match in Atlanta 96 and then again in Sidney 2000, the dream is dead. I watched this lame-ass effort last night, and I laughed my ass off, when I wasn’t being offended at the level of play by the Americans. Puerto Rica was superior in every way. And from what I hear, this US team lost their qualifier to Italy as well. How lame. And on the other hand, hooray for the rest of the world, no more one-country domination of that sport.

Recall elections seem to be the trend in the world this year. Chavez won his yesterday, and will therefore continue being president of Venezuela for the remainder of his term. I love populism and mass hysteria as much as the next guy, but I find it very annoying that officials are now elected for a fixed-year term, yet suddenly you can demand a recall election to get him/her out early. Sounds like politics is starting to resemble a trip to the local department store; you buy something, but then you don’t like it when you get home, and you return it. Bad metaphor? Well my point was to stress why so-called liberal-democracies are full of non-democratic quirks.

Being that I am such a fan of blogs from around the world, I noticed Jill’s post today about Chinese blogs. Which led me to an ex-pat in Asia’s blog that I’m now beginning to read. (And I’m glad its written in English, I’ve got no Chinese characters on my windowsxp setup) Its an especially good for its blogroll, including all kinds from Hong Kong as well as “plain old China.”

Today’s Music: Franz Ferdinand (everyones listening to it I guess)

VP Eye Candy

The following is a shortlist of things I’ve done in place of when I would usually be net surfing:

  • Watching hours of TV, especially TV5 Secials

  • Sewing new yellow curtains

  • Reading “The History of Gay New York” by this Chauncey guy.

  • Showing visitors L and D around, and visiting the sex museum which is well worth the 2.50 entry.

    • This is what my life has become, that and finding Wi-Fi randomly in this city.

    I’m sure some might want me to talk about the Edwards VP announcement. Honestly, the first thing I think when I see these two together is: “Damn.. these boys are white.” I can’t say exactly why that’s the first thought, but its immediately what I notice. They are so dam white it’s annoying. I’m well aware that the other party is and has always put forth two white dudes, but for some reason – Kerry and Edwards symbolize the desire to sell a ticket to white America… making them feel “comfortable” like these guys are pure as a newborn lamb. (cause lambs are pure, Im telling you.) James Ridgeway calls the ticket “Business as Usual” which I think is another good point.. same old formula.. nothing new for the US.

    So as part of my new increase in television exposure, last night on TV5 I was emgrossed in a special on the state of Israel. Pardon the pun.. but MY GOD. What a wierd place. Again, pardon me for being culturally disrespectful for a moment, but Israel is a strange-ass country. Things I learned:

    Civil marriages are not possible in Israel! Only Orthodox.

    Everyone is automatically in the military unless you decide to study religion for a living. (I forget what thats called).

    If you choose to study religion as your occupation, you are paid to do so by the government, apparently for your whole life.

    The Shinui party is the fastest growing party in Israel and they are tired of the old traditional close-minded thinking.(I think I like them)

    Orthodox types hate cameras and if you point one at them they seem to flee.

    In summary, Israel is a strange country with policies that I think are not only unique, but unsustainable. But hey, that’s just me. I would appreciate being corrected by one of my wonderful Israeli readers.

    Today’s Music: Midtown – Living Well…

    Stormy Interviews

    This week I somehow got involved in someone at the Amsterdam City Government’s research project on international people living here. Apparently I qualify.. even though so often in this city I’m a clandestine apartment renter. It was a long interview, mostly because I talk too dam much.. and the guy just sent me a transcript of it which I might post on here next time. Basically the questions concerned how I ended up here, what the city means to me, troubles I have, and things I wish would be different. My favorite part was when he hands me paper and asks me to draw a map of Amsterdam. He may have underestimated my keen mapping abilities.. because I needed way more than one sheet.. and he got tedious details I’m sure he didn’t want. He may have enjoyed my responses, especially about what I love about the city. Of course I answered the bikes. But more specifically I talked about certain bikes.. the kinds with a box in front and two little tottlers peeking out at you. Or a bike with a basket and a dog inside looking horrified.. these are things I love. Add that to the pile of other things Ive already said about the dam in other posts. Somehow, I think I made a good contribution to this city and maybe they’ll learn from my wisdom.

    The Voice published the annual “Queer Issue” this week. I’ve not yet gone completely through it, but the article on the Brief History of Christopher Street looks great. I’ve decided to have a greater knowledge of NYC and greenwich village, I will read “Gay New York: Gender, Urban Culture, and the making of the Male Gay World 1890-1940” by George Chauncey.

    Last night after attending a Broken Social Scene concert for Dutch public radio, (show is available online)I came home and caught a special on Ingrid Bettancourt the well-known Colombian politician, mainly from her daughter’s testimony. I can’t believe she’s still in captivity in Colombia. She was kidnapped by the FARC in 2002. It was a super-interesting documentary, I was capitivated by the old footage of Ingrid campaigning in Bogota. Apparently she is still alive because there have been video messages. As much as I dislike the Colombian government, I find the FARC is also quite ignorant and completely lost. There’s a movie somewhere called “The Kidnapping of Ingrid Bettancourt” but I couldn’t find it on the web.

    Today’s Music: Neutral Milk Hotel

    Acting President

    NYC one day… DC for a few days.. and a quick stopover in Philly. I’m sometimes impressed with the amount of ground I cover in 12 days. Yet of course, there are tons of friends I still haven’t seen and won’t get to see. Regardless, I had a wonderous time in each of those places. The parties, especially the “RE-Defeat Bush” Singles party was mildly amusing as D-Rock and I seized the oppurtunity to bewilder the guys and especially gals with our timeless tales of world travel and espionage.

    Speaking of espionage, the most unfortunate part of my DC trip turned out to be a visit to the International Spy Museum. What a piece of crap. I knew the risks, especially with an exhibit entitled: “The enemy within”, all about terrorism in the history of the US. Besides the easy subjects like the KKK, militias, and British colonial violence, the museum somehow placed labor strikes/movements, black panthers, peace-activists and communism on the list of “terrorists.” I was dumbfounded and generally pissed-off as I arrived at the photo of IWW organizer Joe Hill (personal hero of mine) under the headline “Terrorist or Victim.” The only terror I could see was a private owned museum churning out propaganda for ultra-conservatives. I did find the section on Michigan Militia interesting, especially the very amusing display of “A militia member’s environment” which consisted of a computer, three assault rifles, camoflage outfits, a copy of anarchist’s cookbook, a copy of the US Constitution on the wall, and an American flag. All the ingredients for a crazy militia member… which makes me wonder. I have a computer.. and some military shirts.. is my phone tapped?

    While on the subject of crazy dangerous people, Reagan died. Well, his body at least. His mind was gone probably even before he become Senator of California. I have no thoughts other than.. a mild – “good riddance” to a ex-president who encouraged bloody coups and death squads throughout the world, and provided the arms and logistics for civil wars in various countries. He seemed to have little understanding of most things related to his job. The only thing he was right about was the need to end the cold war (because it was stupid!) but even that idea he claimed god had told him, so that doesn’t count as his own initiative. Anyway, glad thats over and done with.

    Today’s Music: Specials – NIGHTCLUB!