Middleton Square Squatters

Kids today.

On an Island with Baaba Maal

Via my favorite producer, who I can't really link to since he's not blogging, on myspace, facebook or other (reputable) social networking site, I heard Desert Island Disc's guest this week, Baaba Maal.

Photographed by Jonas Karlsson at the Soumbedioune Beach Fish Market, in Dakar, Senegal, on January 20, 2004.

With the exception of Noir c'est noir, I could listen to this play list for a few decades. And I hadn't heard Kaouding Cissoko, which now will greatly enhance my kora collection.

Bamako...and Samuel Bosso

Strolling through the streets of Barcelona, and what do I see? A photo exhibit of African artists entitled Bamako. (There seems to be a common theme here...) Of all the amazing images, I was most surprised by the story and work of Samuel Bosso, who has lived and worked in Bangui, Central African Republic since leaving Nigeria at the age of 10 as a result of the Biafran War. He opened his own photo shop at 13 and would send his maternal grandmother photos to let her know he was OK.

"He used scraps of film to photograph himself posing disguised and playing different roles. He sent the pictures to his family in Nigeria. For thirty years, he has been making self-portraits, which express a reflection about identify, otherness, unspeakableness, and correctness."


Little did I know he was the iconic image on the 2005 Africa Remix CD, which I own. (I need to pay better attention!)

With this photo, I wanted to say to westerners, 'Look, we had our own democracy before you came, we had our own rulers, our own presidents, but it was our ruler that you came and got rid of, and in his place, you set up your hierarchies, your systems.' It's about the things they did in the past, and the things that they continue to do. On the surface they cover it up, but beneath the surface it's the same as ever.

Great 2002 article in the Guardian.

Sorry I missed the full story when he was here...and when I was in Bangui. But never to late to learn more. This book has these images and many of the other amazing work from the show in it.

Maybe I should move to Berlin!

Oh my god. Yes, I am too old, but whoever said you don't discover new music after 30 was just plain...dumb and under 30.

Holy...shit.

Maybe I should move to Berlin!

Modeselektor, both remixes for boys and girls on myspace. Or, for more fun...don't press here!

Musical meandering...thanks to NPR and Prince

"Hearting" NPR like always, I wanted to sing thanks and praises for Bob Boilen, who I tried to befriend on Facebook, but he hasn't accepted me yet. At least I am on the NPR Community! No friends yet, however. I am a late bloomer, as most people know.

I love so many things, like the story If Abraham Lincoln Had An iPod, which makes me want to go and create Dostoyevsky's and Mandela's and Mao's iPod! I could waste a lot of time, but it would be fun!

I also love the last edition of All Songs Considered, especially the new Morrissey, Lily Allen and K'naan track. And who know Jason Schwartzman was a musician, until Bob Boilen's last show?

Finally, keeping it real, my old lady and I watched Purple Rain last night. She was a Purple Rain virgin, if you can believe that. It stirred up many memories!

First, André Cymone, "Survin in the 80s", which was certainly better than the cleverly named next album, "AC". I believe I have discovered my new look.






Then, a surprise to realize Jesse Johnson is still alive and on myspace???


Vanity was not. Nor did her acting inspire me to do anything more than download Nasty Girl, which is entirely legal since I own it, I think.


The main surprise was that Wendy and Lisa, the obvious heart and soul behind Purple Rain (according to the film) are still making music! They are also on myspace.


Such things I did not know.

An Ode to Wodka!

Lovely little piece in the paper the other day: Country, Vodka and Sour Cream. Includes some impressions of Brighton Beach as well as a general tutorial excerpt from A History of Vodka by William Pokhlebkin, which I need to get...clearly.

There are no bars for us to visit in Brighton because they are anathema to the Russian manner of drinking. Pokhlebkin, perhaps the most passionate and erudite defender of vodka consumption in recorded history, notes that "the correct role of vodka at a table drink is to accompany and to highlight exclusively Russian national dishes. Above all, vodka is the appropriate drink with meat and meat-cereal dishes, with salty and sharp-tasting dishes, and with fish." No less than the Italians or French, Russians treat drinking as part of a complete gastronomic experience, and divorcing the two would be unthinkable for anyone with a modicum of taste. But perhaps because our foods are less sensuous or readily appealing than Mediterranean cuisine ― sour cream is not so sexy, it turns out ― only the bottle lingers in the imagination.

My last jaunt to Brighton Beach had more sharp-tasting dishes than I could name!

Another Chocolate President...in Azerbaijan?

Continuing the first chocolate president thread...


...catch this story about Azerbaijan!

In the capital city of Azerbaijan, a new chocolate cake called Obama has appeared for sale, writes Day.Az.

For 15 manats (more than 600 rubles or $18.59) everyday Azerbaijanis can now purchase "Obama" and cut him into pieces to be eaten while drinking tea.

It had been previously reported that the name of the US president has become a popular brand. In honor of Obama, streets, barber shops, schools and even a grade of heroin have been renamed.

Hello iMac

And on the 9th day of January, P&M produced and iMac.

We haven't been the same since. M keeps watching Gitmo re-runs on the Daily Show and I can't even get her to leave the house, let alone allow me a few minutes to watch the new t.a.t.u video on youtube. If anyone finds us, you will know the cause of our demise.

Yes... The First Chocolate President!

I am sure these are made on a sustainable farm in Africa! I am buying loads just 'cause I like chocolate!

Support Max in the best business idea since... well, frankly, this is the best business idea ever!

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey - Gbeti Madjro

Best thing I heard all weekend, via my new friend on myspace, Analog Africa, who I found via Benn loxo du taccu. I like that music is endless.

Barack Backs Steelers for Super Bowl Win

I knew there was a reason I voted for this guy.

I have to say, you know, I wish the Cardinals the best. Kurt Warner is a great story and he's closer to my age than anybody else on the field, but I am a long-time Steelers fan. Mr. Rooney, the owner, was just an extraordinary supporter during the course of the campaign. Franco Harris was campaigning for me in Pittsburgh. So, I wish the best to the Cardinals. They've been long-suffering; it's a great Cinderella story. But other than the Bears, the Steelers are probably the team that's closest to my heart.

My 2008 in Pictures!

Continuing the annual review of where I have been and providing some indication of who I was there with... I have done my best to avoid the wedding pics. Lord knows we are all a bit tired of those!

Heidi's birthday, cry if you want to.

Me, z Old Lady (in Sorels)...

...and our high priest.

The Bachelor(ette) on her final night out...

...the Bachelor on his final night out...

...but both nights are on film.

Lazy Pittbull, William Wallace and yet another vote for Obama!

Ist, dass Nico?

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Diga Queso!

Ever growing family.

No turkey was spared.

Mmmmm, apple factory brandy.

Happiest Birthday ever!

Loveboxing

Go Navy!

Tweezing or waxing can also be impractical since chest hair grows quickly and shaving will lead to quickly appearing stubble.

Look, Emily, I don't know how they do things down in Juarez, but here in Burlington we have a little something called pride. Understand? Smashing in the face of a pinata that resembles Molly is a disgrace to you, me, and the entire Green Mountain State.

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My lips are indeed chapped.

The woman cries before the wedding and the man after. A Polish Proverb

Sie sprechen Deutsch, Natile?

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Antonio, Stenna and Francesca!

The search for Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree

And now a word from our marriage counselors...

He who desires, but acts not, breeds pestilence. (out Feb. 9!)

Best Man and Maid with Some Honor

Seun Kuti - Shuffering and Shmiling

Ramón y Tatiana!

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

Prisoner of Salina...just one of honeymoon bliss.

'airdo from the apple factory!

And the photo of 2008...

Introducing Maximilian (obviously and Obama supporter already)!