Staying Power

Think of all the things that endure- that shouldn't!

There is a lesson here for each of us.

You don't have to think too hard- examples abound! Which makes me think there is significant overlap with intransigence, sloathfulness and determination. Call it what you will?

Full Moon Over Inverness

Seasonal. That's a term that is resonant these days. I think this photo says it all. Full moon waning. Enjoy and beware!

Poland- Museum Sztuki MS2

This is the first of several posts on Poland. I was excited to visit for a good number of reasons, but primarily I was interested in visiting a post-communist country. Granted, the Poles like the Hungarians never really took to socialism. I can't really think of any nation that did- with the exception of Russia. And the Russians- for the most part- imposed the puppet regimes on central and eastern Europe like a sinus infection: the gift that keeps giving!

But that doesn't mean the brothers of Marx, Lenin, Kruschev didn't leave remnants that are worth seeing. I have always been fascinated by the modernist architecture (that's a euphemism for those blocks of dreary apartment buildings we would affectionately call 'public housing' here). But it has always been the visual images of socialism that have drawn me, and in particular their mural art.

So while in Lodz I visited the Museum Sztuki for the Modernizations 'Future Perfect: 1918-1939 exhibit. The socialists of the early 20th century were fond of this concept of improvement.


Going as far as to improve the mundane- as evidenced at left. The ms2 exhibit features a good number of Baltic Modernist murals from this era. This would include images from Poland, Latvia, Estonia, The Czech Republic and Hungary.






I was particularly enamoured of the Hungarian works. They seemed to speak directly to the misbegotten Magyar. This one from May of 1919:

Other issue more general warnings:



I think I have found my new muse and calling in the Baltic Modernist movement!

The Highland Park

A chilly Tuesday evening in late February, a new year's resolution to re-engage with the cinema, a coming Oscar's party and a desire to conserve = a trip to the Highland Park Theatre for a screening of 'Precious'. I was joined by @ScottiePhinney and recent inamoroto of his.

From March 2010

I have long suffered a tropism for the old skewl movie houses. Forgive me for waxing nostalgic but I prefer the old movie houses to the new cineplexes. My thinking being that going out to view a film is a distinctly tactile, social event. So viewing a movie in a house- as opposed to a cineplex- is an inherently more accessible and human scale experience. Plus the old places have the mystique of the golden age of film. And nn that point, The Highland Park delivers.

From March 2010

As for the film, it was worth seeing. I know of several who have said they prefer not to see it, but I am glad that I did. Certainly not a demographic with which I have experience, but stepping out of one's world is really what 'cinema' is about. Sometimes we do it to be entertained by avatars, or the editorial department of 'Vogue'. Other times impoverished, abused girls from Harlem.

To you dear readers, I'd be interested to hear about or see some pics from your favorite movie houses. 'Lemme know.

Paradise found

I've broken a cardinal rule of blogging by not posting for ages.

In my defense, I've used my time wisely. I've been able to locate paradise. It lives on the Banderas Bay, in Jalisco, Mexico. I had the pleasure of visiting to celebrate the new year, visit with friends, and soak up some topnotch local culture.

What was the best part you ask? Well, I'll say that each element played a crucial role in making this one heck of a holiday. It was the scenery, the friends, the food, the locals etc.

Let's start with the view from our hotel, the Lindo Mar Resort. You'll note that the images they post on the website are what you'll see in my pics. When does that ever happen? But here's what I awoke to each morning:

From January 2010

Yeah, that's right. Those waves lulled us to sleep in the early morning hours. I'll note too that the early morning hours when I was coming in to sleep happened to coincide with the time a number of canadian holiday makers began planting themselves poolside. Enough said though.

Here's something, did you know that this was the very scenery featured in the 1963 film, "Night of the Iguana"? That's right, it lured director, John Huston and inspired a philosophical reckoning. I'm sure you can see why:

From January 2010

I am nearly finished organizing the trips photos. So you can anticipate several additional posts on this holiday, but let this whet your whistle for now.